The concept of postponement is increasingly drawing the attention of researchers and practitioners. Postponement means delaying activities in the supply chain until customer orders are received with the intention of customizing products, as opposed to performing those activities in anticipation of future orders. This paper reviews the literature on postponement dating back to 1965, and puts it in a systematic framework. In light of the classification of the literature developed, opportunities are identified for integration and cross‐fertilization between research papers in disciplines such as logistics and operations management and between the variety of research methods used. Some directions for research (in terms of content and methodology) are then formulated. For instance, the development of a more integrated supply chain perspective on postponement, and the application of triangulation rather than single methods. Specific research activities to meet these challenges are suggested in the paper.

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To lower the environmental damage of business we need to examine our “ecological footprint”. We need to move forward with the business at the same time. In order to solve that dilemma, a value‐seeking and proactive approach to greening is proposed in the (general) management literature. However, literature on the role of supply chain operations, mostly published in the area of reversed logistics, has failed to develop grounded theory and frameworks to support the application of such an approach. Furthermore, research is needed that goes beyond the partial and fragmented contribution of reversed logistics. This research note looks at challenges for research on green steps to take, and green supply chains to make in practice, as a step up to lowering the ecologic footprint of supply chains.