Evaluation of External Forces Affecting Supply Chain Sustainability of Oil & Gas Industry by Using Best Worst Method

Sustainability is about integration and delivering of higher economic, environmental, and social values. Nowadays there is an ever-­increasing concern towards the importance of sustainability in supply chain management in different industries. Currently, there are not enough studies performed on SSCM of O&G industry considering three aspects of sustainability. Therefore, there is a lack of research in this field. The purpose of this study is to gain an in depth understanding of the importance level of contextual factors affecting the environment and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) of oil & gas (O&G) industry. To fulfill the aim of this study firstly reviewing literature on studies related to SSCM and O&G subjects is conducted. Secondly, after identifying the relevant external forces, a survey is carried out to investigate the importance level of each identified criterion. For this purpose, a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method is used to investigate and distinguish the importance of the forces based on data collected using a questionnaire sent to academic experts in the fields of SSCM and O&G. It is found out that economic followed by competition factors are the most important external forces and regulations and energy transition are the least important forces influencing the SSCM of the O&G companies. Amongst the identified external forces, it is found that capital investment programs, investment in environment protection programs, international O&G companies, uncertainty in government’s energy policies and investment in social investment programs are top five most important factors affecting the O&G sustainable supply chain practices and political unrest, energy companies working in another fields of energy, opposition to company activities due to social issues, regulations on materials use, and policies promoting a level playing field for energy players are the least important criteria. The outcome of this study can be used as a tool in decision-making processes. It would assist the O&G companies to increase the effectiveness of their strategies with regard to SSCM implementation.Management of TechnologyTransport and LogisticsTechnology, Policy and Managemen