Evaluating ecological sustainable performance measures for supply chain management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology to help evaluate, select, and monitor sustainable supply chain performance measurement that can be integrated into a performance management system (PMS). Design/methodology/approach – Grey‐based neighborhood rough set theory is used to help arrive at a core set of important business and environmental performance measures for sustainable supply chains. The supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model is used to develop both business and environmental measures for supply chain sourcing. Findings – A case illustration shows the applicability of the methodology. A sensitivity analysis shows that variations in outcome considerations may greatly influence the set of key performance measures for a sustainable supply chain PMS. Research limitations/implications – The methodology and presentation is conceptual, yet the tool can provide very useful interpretations for both researchers and practitioners. Practical implications – The tool can be valuable for companies that are trying to identify key environmental and business performance measures for their supply chains. It helps save resources by not requiring the management of a burdensome and complex set of performance measures. Originality/value – This is one of the few approaches that helps to clearly identify and narrow the set of performance measures for sustainable supply chains. It attempts to do so with minimal information loss. It is also the first time that grey techniques have been integrated with neighborhood rough set methodology.