Evaluating Supplier Sustainability Metrics through Data-Driven Procurement and Supply Chain Frameworks

The growing demand for sustainable supply chains has placed supplier evaluation at the forefront of organizational strategies. Procurement functions are no longer confined to cost optimization but are increasingly responsible for aligning supplier practices with sustainability imperatives encompassing environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance standards. This transformation has given rise to supplier sustainability metrics, which offer structured approaches for assessing supplier contributions to organizational sustainability goals. Traditional evaluation frameworks often emphasized compliance or limited scorecards, yet contemporary approaches increasingly leverage data-driven procurement and supply chain frameworks to enhance transparency, objectivity, and scalability. Data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital supply chain technologies enable organizations to monitor supplier performance in real time, integrate diverse datasets, and forecast sustainability risks and opportunities. This paper examines the evolution and application of supplier sustainability metrics, focusing specifically on developments up to 2023. Through a literature-based review, it traces the historical progression of sustainability evaluation, explores methodological innovations, and analyzes how data-driven frameworks have reshaped procurement and supply chain practices. Key themes include the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators, the role of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models, the incorporation of big data analytics, and the emergence of digital platforms for sustainable procurement. The review also highlights challenges, including data quality, interoperability, and balancing objectivity with qualitative insights. Findings underscore that supplier sustainability evaluation is an evolving strategic capability, demanding integrative frameworks that combine robust metrics with advanced data-driven methodologies. The study contributes to academic and practical debates, offering insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to build resilient, transparent, and sustainable supply chains.