The purpose of this paper is to offer a critical evaluation of epistemology in supply chain research. The two approaches, the positivist and post-positivist critical realism research traditions, are the primary philosophical foundations for case study research design. These are discussed in relation to the research project: ‘exploring sustainable supply chain strategy’. Key concepts in the literature present characteristics of the research problem in relation to the methodological paradigm and theory development from which a summary that underpins the research strategy is outlined in the ‘Research method’ section. Finally, the research questions leading from the findings are presented
