Comparative analysis of sustainability factors in supply chain links : evidence of empirical research

Sustainability factors play a very important role in shaping supply chain strategies. Their implementation and compliance is also important from the customers' perspective. This study attempts to present and analyze the actions taken in the field of implementing sustainable development factors and elements in supply chains, taking into account the perspectives of the various links. The results of the comparative analysis show the differences that occur in the implementation and application of sustainable development elements in various links of the chains. On the basis of selected questions from the survey questionnaire, the authors created a ranking in which they compared the indicated chain links in terms of the use of sustainable development elements, reflected by the indicated indicators. The results clearly show the differences, which means that the same indicators for different links have a different meaning and play a different role. This means that it is necessary to analyze and observe the individual links very carefully so that the understanding of sustainability is clear, and the more elements are implemented, the faster and easier it will be to have a holistic approach to implementing a sustainable supply chain strategy.