Accelerating the transition towards sustainability dynamics into supply chain relationship management and governance structures

•Papers on supply chain (SC) relationships, governance and innovations are considered in this Special Volume.•Analyzed sustainable SC papers published between 1993 and 2015.•The directions for future research in the sustainable supply chain domain are highlighted.•Research from low-income countries is urgently needed.

Stakeholders and competitive priorities drive profit and non-profit organizations towards the implementation of sustainability-related measures, in their internal operations, and in their supply chains planning. It is believed by some that investments in sustainability may help them to attain more successful futures by maintaining a healthy balance among economic, environmental, and social resources/dimensions. Consequently, some organizations have begun to integrate these dimensions in recent years. Researchers and practitioners are also working to accelerate the transition for more equitable, sustainable, post–fossil carbon societies by working with all relevant stakeholders. This Special Volume of Journal of Cleaner Production is focused upon on diverse types of supply chain relationships, governance mechanisms, and innovations, which can foster effective and efficient sustainable supply chain management. This volume is comprised of twenty-seven articles and a book review. Fifteen of the articles address the supply chain relationships domain, while five focus primarily upon governance, five upon innovation, and two on relationships and governance. However, there is a huge potential to further explore the opportunities towards achieving sustainability by implementing proper governance mechanisms and eco-innovation strategies. Research from low-income countries dealing with sustainability issues are also urgently needed.