Sustainable Supply Chain Practices in Australian Smes in the Post-COVID Recovery Era

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and heightened the need for sustainable and resilient practices, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper examines sustainable supply chain practices adopted by Australian SMEs during the post-COVID-19 recovery era, integrating qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method evidence across industries including food processing, manufacturing and services. The findings reveal that Australian SMEs have increasingly embraced practices such as circular economy strategies, green supply chain initiatives and localized sourcing to enhance environmental and social performance in their supply chains. Empirical studies show that green human resource management and external pressures drive the adoption of green supply chain initiatives, leading to improved environmental outcomes and, sequentially, social and economic performance in SMEs. However, SMEs face persistent barriers in the post-pandemic context including financial constraints, limited customer awareness and inadequate infrastructure, even as supportive government policies and technological innovations emerge as critical enablers. This paper discusses these findings in light of the unique challenges and opportunities for Australian SMEs, outlines methodological approaches and identifies limitations. It concludes with recommendations for future research and policy to support sustainable supply chain management in SMEs as a cornerstone of post-COVID economic recovery.