Globalisation and the dynamics of the new economic geography is increasingly influencing supply chain management across different industries. Although the literature combining purchasing and logistics in the global supply chain is crucial, it has scarcely been reviewed in this combined approach. With companies like DELL, Walmart, and Li & Fung who are orchestrators in supply chains capitalising upon globalisation, the future trend is for a greater need to understand the purchasing and logistics aspects of global supply chains. In this study a review, analysis and synthesis of the literature in purchasing and logistics in global purchasing is conducted to. The research synthesis will aid both practitioners and researchers in a broader and better understanding of purchasing and logistics issues in the context of global supply chain design.

Studies regarding risk management in low cost country (LCC) sourcing are limited considering the dramatic increase in direct sourcing from LCC. The purpose of this paper is to present supplier risk management mechanisms in sourcing directly from China. An in-depth case study serves to identify the perceived risks in sourcing directly from China. This is followed by exploratory studies with nine industrial product companies to study supplier risk management. Identified perceived risks are classified as performance and relational risks managed by trust and control mechanisms. Involving Chinese employees, local presence and constant communication are three interrelated antecedents for managing risks. Prioritised customer, cross-functional team, supplier development and performance feedback are identified as four trust based risk management mechanisms. Performance measurement, clarity of specifications, supplier selection and contractual agreements are the four control based risk management mechanisms. Trust precedes control and determines the effectiveness of control, though both are pursued simultaneously.

Increasing globalisation creates new possibilities for sourcing from low cost countries (LCC), but also comes with a range of logistics challenges and issues to be dealt with. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how logistics and its impacts are considered in LCC sourcing decisions. An exploratory multiple case study of industrial product companies engaged in distant LCC sourcing serves as an empirical base. Findings reveal that firms do not explicitly take logistics into account during LCC sourcing decisions. Even if logistics is considered, it is generally in a reactive way and takes a transactional cost focus. Instead, we propose a framework to proactively consider logistics factors in the early stages of LCC sourcing. This is done through identifying product and supplier related logistics factors and their impact on pre-transaction, transaction and post-transaction elements in the Total Cost of Ownership model.

Purpose of this paper: The purpose of this paper is to achieve an international sourcing framework considering environmental sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a research synthesis from existing literature and arriving at a conceptual framework considering areas of international sourcing, environmental logistics and environmental purchasing.

Findings: The conceptual framework integrates all the identified means to address environmental sustainability in a generic international framework across five stages (1) recognition of need (2) product identification (3) supplier evaluation (4) Negotiation & supply (5) performance measurement and monitoring.

Research limitations/implications (if applicable): This paper is a conceptual paper and lacks empirical testing which needs to performed in future research through exploratory studies.

Practical implications (if applicable): This framework will aid practitioners in taking environmental conscious decisions when making international sourcing decisions.

What is original/value of paper: This paper addresses the little developed area of environmental sustainability in international sourcing