Abstract:

    Intensified competition, accelerated technological developments, growing volume and spectrum of international trade as well as ever-increasing environmental threats, all of which characterize a globalized world order, caused the need for an upgrade from conventional supply chain applications, one result being Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM). Customers’ rising environmental awareness, governments’ strict regulations and hikes in environmental threats have forced businesses to be more environmentally friendly, as they have become increasingly focused on environmental issues recently, resulting in a heightened interest in GSCM applications. Consequently, a myriad of studies has been conducted regarding GSCM. Nevertheless, businesses still have difficulties in identifying and taking actions to mitigate the obstacles confronted with during the management of green supply chains. The main objective of this study is to determine these barriers faced during the transition to and application of GSCM through extensive literature review and expert opinion. Even though non-negligible portions of those obstacles originate from internal dynamics of the business, some of those can also arise from customers, vendors and governments. Literature review conducted has revealed twenty-four different barriers. Therefore, it is being aimed that a roadmap will be structured for businesses planning to migrate to GSCM applications as well as academics pursuing studies on this issue.

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