Assessing the obstacles to green supply chain management in Bangladesh's footwear industry using SWARA and ISM-MICMAC methods

This study aims to identify and analyze the barriers to Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) in the footwear industry of Bangladesh, which is essential for improving sustainability and gaining a potential benefit in the global market. Despite the growth of Bangladesh’s footwear industry, environmental challenges and a lack of green practices have hindered its ability to meet international standards. The study employs a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approach, combining Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) with MICMAC (Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification) analysis. Using literature reviews and expert opinions from industry professionals, 19 barriers were initially identified, which were narrowed down to 12 for further analysis. SWARA was used to rank these barriers, while ISM-MICMAC was applied to assess the interrelationships between them. The findings reveal that the most significant barriers to GSCM implementation are insufficient training and poor supplier commitment, followed by a lack of knowledge and experience. The ISM-MICMAC analysis highlights the interdependencies among these barriers, suggesting that addressing one may impact others. This research is novel in its application of a hybrid SWARA-ISM-MICMAC approach to the footwear industry, a sector in Bangladesh that has not been extensively studied in the context of GSCM. The study provides practical implications for managers and policymakers by offering insights into the most critical barriers and their interrelations, guiding targeted interventions. By addressing these barriers, the footwear industry can enhance its sustainability practices, improve market competitiveness, and meet growing environmental demands.