Sustainable supply chain practices as catalyst for energy poverty alleviation in developing countries: a necessary condition analysis

Energy poverty remains a critical obstacle to socioeconomic progress in developing countries, affecting over 733 million people globally. This study investigates how sustainable supply chain practices serve as catalysts for alleviating energy poverty, focusing on efficient logistics, local sourcing, community engagement, regular maintenance, and training programs. Employing Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), the research identifies indispensable supply chain conditions for successful renewable energy deployment. The findings reveal that efficient logistics and community engagement have the most significant impact, requiring minimum thresholds to ensure energy access effectiveness. Though moderate in effect size, local sourcing and training programs are equally essential for long-term sustainability. Regular maintenance emerged as a critical factor, underscoring the importance of ongoing support. The study integrates Necessary Condition Theory, Energy Justice Framework, and Socio-Technical Systems Theory to demonstrate that these practices must be complementary rather than substitutive. The results provide actionable insights for managers and policymakers, advocating targeted investments in supply chain resilience and local capacity building. By offering an understanding of the interplay between supply chain management and energy access, this research advances theoretical and practical frameworks for tackling energy poverty. Future studies should explore these dynamics across different sectors to generalise the findings further.