Interpretive Structural Modeling

Indian thermal power industries, being perceived as the most polluting, are experiencing tremendous pressure to implement sustainable supply chain practices. In this light, the purpose of this article is to explore the factors that initiate sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) adoption in Indian thermal power industries and understand the interrelationship existing among them. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) technique is employed to extract the structural relationship existing among the SSCM enablers and portray the same through a hierarchical model. Further, MICMAC (Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement) analysis has been employed to classify the enablers by taking their driving and dependence power as a measure. Eleven SSCM enablers have been explored through an extensive review of the literature. The interpretive structural model of selected enablers indicates that SSCM adoption in thermal power plants is mainly due to “pressure from environmental advocacy groups” and “government policies and employee pressure”. Prior knowledge of these influential factors and their interdependence will help the decision makers to develop suitable strategies that would enable the organizations to reduce the impact of barriers while optimizing the benefits derived from the enablers