Reducing carbon footprint in a resilient supply chain: examining the critical influencing factors of process integration

Carbon neutrality and resilience are two of important goals pursued by supply chains today. This study seeks to determine how carbon footprint reduction (CFR) can be achieved in a resilient supply chain from a process integration perspective. Based on contingency theory, we employed the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach to examine the critical influencing factors of process integration using evaluations from academic and professional experts. Our findings reveal that, first, at the strategic level, supply chain collaboration (SCC) and supply chain agility and responsiveness (SCAR) have the highest contributions to process integration. Second, process and control risks have the highest contributions in supply chain risk management; herein, collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment (CPFR) holds the highest contribution in the SCC, visibility and velocity have the highest contributions in the SCAR, and supply chain efficiency holds the highest contribution in supply chain flexibility (SCF). Finally, CPFR has a significant influence on both supplier and customer engagement, with supply chain intelligence influencing customer engagement in the SCC. Both the standardisation and parallel processes influence supplier spending in the SCF. These findings provide a new conceptual framework for empirical research and an action plan for supply chains to pursue carbon neutrality.