Sustainable Procurement Barriers in Indonesian Food Manufacturing SMEs: An ISM–Fuzzy MICMAC Analysis

Background: This study aims to examine the barriers hindering the implementation of sustainable procurement in Indonesian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to identify their hierarchical relationships. Methods: A mixed-method approach was adopted, employing Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) to map the causal structure of barriers and Fuzzy MICMAC analysis to classify them according to their influence and dependence. Data were collected through expert evaluations and secondary sources, providing both empirical depth and contextual validity. Results: The results reveal that financial constraints, particularly funding limitations, are the most critical and independent barrier driving the entire system of obstacles. The analysis further shows that systemic linkage barriers, such as minimal government incentives, limited availability of eco-friendly raw materials, and high import dependency, create a self-reinforcing cycle that amplifies cost challenges for SMEs. Dependent barriers, including regulatory inadequacies and weak supplier collaboration, are identified as outcomes of these structural constraints, while autonomous barriers like limited consumer awareness remain less influential but still significant. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that sustainable procurement barriers are not isolated but interconnected, with financial viability acting as the foundational challenge. The study contributes to the literature by providing a relational perspective on sustainable procurement barriers, offering managerial insights for policy.