Assessment of barriers to lean, green, and digital innovations in net-zero supply chain with an integrated MCDM approach

Abstract Rapid industrialisation and increased online purchases have significantly increased the carbon footprint of supply chains (SCs), necessitating the transition towards net-zero SCs. Though lean, green, and digital (LGD) innovations have demonstrated potential to impact the net-zero SC transition, their adoption remains limited in emerging economies due to several barriers. Evaluation of the significance and interrelationships of the barriers remains elusive in the existing literature, highlighting the need for systematic investigation. Accordingly, this study aims to identify, evaluate, and prioritize the barriers to the adoption of LGD innovations in an emerging economy to facilitate the transition toward net-zero SCs. A systematic literature review was performed to identify barriers to incorporating LGD innovations, and principal component analysis with 345 respondents was employed to finalise the same. The finalised barriers were analysed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods in the Fermatean Fuzzy System (FFS) context. The outcomes suggest market competition (0.5641), the absence of a sustainable vision and goal (0.5489), the dilemma over the resilience of LGD innovations (0.5429), the absence of appropriate policy mechanisms (0.5418), and the lack of stakeholder support (0.5400) as the five most critical barriers. The study's implications could help SC practitioners make decisions related to net-zero emissions, potentially reducing adverse environmental impacts. The uniqueness of this work lies in the integration of FFS with AHP and DEMATEL to evaluate the barriers to integrating LGD innovations into SC activities.