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Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management pp 91–106Cite as

Conducting a Literature Review — The Example of Sustainability in Supply Chains

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Summary

Literature reviews are an essential part of all kinds of research. Their importance is frequently emphasized in introductory texts on research methodology as well as in methodological papers. The methodological basis for a literature review is usually a document analysis conducted as a content analysis. Therefore, criteria have to be chosen which allow the search for and the categorization of relevant literature. Such classification forms part of the structured analysis. Yet, not all aspects can be assessed this way, so conceptual research must also be a part of the research. Using the example of sustainability in supply chains, this paper offers insights on how a literature review might be conducted. This field provides and interesting example, as it is a young field of academic writing, so a total analysis of all relevant work published since 1990 is feasible.

Qualitative issues as observed in literature on environmental and sustainability management as well as supply and supply chain management are used to identify criteria to review the literature.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Supply Chain Management Center, Institute for Business Administration, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany

    PD Dr. Stefan Seuring Dipl.-Bw., M. Sc. Chem., M. Sc. Env. M., PD Dr. Martin Müller Dipl.-Kfm. & Magnus Westhaus Dipl.-Oec.

  2. chool of Process Sciences and Engineering, Technical University of Berlin, 10623, Berlin, Germany

    Romy Morana Dipl.-Kffr.

Authors
  1. PD Dr. Stefan Seuring Dipl.-Bw., M. Sc. Chem., M. Sc. Env. M.
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  2. PD Dr. Martin Müller Dipl.-Kfm.
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  3. Magnus Westhaus Dipl.-Oec.
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  4. Romy Morana Dipl.-Kffr.
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Operations Management SCM-Group, Copenhagen Business School, Solbjerg Plads 3, 2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Herbert Kotzab

  2. Supply Chain Management Center, Institute of Business Adaministration, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany

    Stefan Seuring  & Martin Müller  & 

  3. Department of Production Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Nordbergstraße 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Gerald Reiner

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© 2005 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg

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Seuring, S., Müller, M., Westhaus, M., Morana, R. (2005). Conducting a Literature Review — The Example of Sustainability in Supply Chains. In: Kotzab, H., Seuring, S., Müller, M., Reiner, G. (eds) Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7908-1636-1_7

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