Tackling sustainability tensions: Digital transformation and justice across the supply chain

Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) stands as a crucial yet challenging endeavor. This study delves into the role of Digital Transformation (DT) and justice principles in mitigating these challenges. We delineate three key tensions—standard compliance, supplier selection, and coopetition—and propose innovative strategies to address them. Our research underscores the importance of integrating digital design and relational aspects into SSCM practices. This involves a strategic amalgamation of digital structuring, bundling, and leveraging, guided by procedural, distributive, and interactional justice considerations. Drawing from resource orchestration and justice theory, we provide valuable insights for navigating the intricacies of sustainability within supply chains.