From profit to people: mapping the rise of social sustainability in supply chains through a scientometric analysis

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive scientometric review of social sustainability in supply chains, analyzing 970 articles published between 2002 and 2024 from Web of Science (WoS). The research addresses the critical gap in understanding social sustainability aspects compared to environmental dimensions in supply chain literature. The study uses CiteSpace software to create structure-based visualizations and networks, analyzing prominent authors, documents, keywords, journals, countries and institutions in the field. The methodology involves systematic review and bibliometric analysis of the literature to identify key themes and patterns in social sustainability based supply chain research The analysis reveals that research is predominantly concentrated in tier-1 and high-GDP nations. Key industries focusing on social sustainability include agriculture, food and beverage, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, fashion and retail sectors. These sectors primarily address issues such as labor regulations, fair wages and local community involvement and diversity. The study identifies major motor themes through co-citation and cluster analysis. The study is limited to articles indexed in WoS, potentially excluding relevant research from other databases. Future research directions should focus on advancing social supply chain management, integrating emerging technologies such as Blockchain, sensors and digital transformation, improving risk management, implementing fuzzy logic decision-making and enhancing transparency. The findings provide organizations with insights into implementing social sustainability practices across supply chains. The study offers guidance for industry practitioners on addressing social challenges and integrating sustainable practices into their operations, particularly in areas of labor rights, community engagement and technological integration. The research highlights the importance of addressing social sustainability in global supply chains and its impact on local communities, labor conditions and societal well-being. It emphasizes the need for greater attention to social aspects of sustainability, particularly in developing nations and lower-tier supply chain partners. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study presents the first large-scale scientometric analysis of social sustainability in supply chains, offering a comprehensive overview of the field’s evolution from 2002 to 2024. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, firms, society and academia while establishing a roadmap for future research and practical implementation of social sustainability in supply chains.