Greening the gears: A thematic analysis of sustainable supply chain practices in the Indian automobile sector

The study presents a thematic analysis of sustainable supply chain management practices within the Indian automobile industry. Eight themes are identified in this study, including sustainability and green initiatives, supply chain resilience and management, technological innovation and integration, impact on environment and resource management, circular economy and waste management, compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards, supplier engagement and development, and social responsibility and community engagement. This concerns the annual reports of the listed companies on the BSE Auto Index. The study is significant in probing the sustainability performance of the key players in India’s automotive sector, hence gauging several risk management practices, innovation, and environmental and social responsibility. Distinctively, this research uses annual reports as a proxy to gauge concrete practices against global sustainability standards, adding novelty and contributing to existing literature and policy frameworks in sustainable supply chain management.