Evaluating CSR priorities in sustainable supply chain management: consistency fuzzy preference relations approach

PurposeThis study examines the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in sustainable supply chain management, specifically targeting the dimensions most valued by practitioners. By identifying and ranking key CSR dimensions–Environmental Management, Social Responsibility, Customer Management and Health, Safety and Risk Management–the research aims to establish a framework that enhances CSR implementation in supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a quantitative survey of supply chain management practitioners, analyzed through the consistency fuzzy preference relations (CFPR). This methodology enables a pairwise comparison to determine the relative importance of CSR dimensions. The sample includes professionals with varying levels of experience and roles in supply chain management, ensuring diverse perspectives on CSR priorities.FindingsResults indicate that Health, Safety and Risk Management is considered the most critical CSR dimension, followed by Customer Management and Social Responsibility, with Environmental Management ranked last. The findings suggest that practitioners prioritize CSR elements that directly impact organizational safety and risk, highlighting a potential gap between broader CSR goals and operational focus areas in supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsThe study offers a scalable CSR assessment model for supply chains, though limited by a sample size focused on practitioners from a single geographic region. Further research could broaden the sample and explore industry-specific CSR priorities.Practical implicationsBy highlighting Health, Safety and Risk Management as the primary CSR focus, this study provides actionable insights for supply chain managers. The findings can guide companies in developing CSR policies that align with practitioner priorities, thus enhancing sustainability efforts and stakeholder trust in supply chain operations.Originality/valueThis research extends existing literature by employing a CFPR approach, which enables a more refined prioritization of CSR dimensions from the perspective of supply chain practitioners. Unlike previous studies that focus on general CSR criteria, this study provides an industry-specific evaluation, offering insights that bridge theoretical CSR frameworks with operational decision-making in sustainable supply chain management.