Toward sustainable supply chains : responding to the challenges and complexities of achieving multi-tier sustainability

Abstract

Most of today’s supply chains have become more complex and global, consisting of numerous members located in different countries and regions. Thus, distinct challenges in ensuring sustainability arise. This dissertation explores how individual companies and supply chains as a whole can respond to the challenges and complexities of achieving sustainability in global multi-tier supply chains. A computational literature review and two case studies are employed – one case study focusing on the electronics industry and the other on the global agri-food sector.

The dissertation provides insights into the latent topical development of the literature on managing sustainability in multi-tier supply chains. It enhances the understanding of potential strategies and concepts, found in the broader body of literature, for addressing the challenges inherent to multi-tier supply chain contexts. In addition, this research adopts a paradox perspective to identify underlying sustainability tensions and related strategies for responding to these specific types of complexities. Moreover, the concept of institutional work is employed to shed light on creating supply chain settings that support the institutionalization of sustainable practices among lower-tier suppliers in challenging country contexts.

The findings from this dissertation offer novel theoretical insights and practical implications for achieving multi-tier sustainability in global supply chains. The importance of addressing systemic challenges and complexities through business alliances and other collaborative approaches is highlighted. Furthermore, the need is emphasized for capacity building and appropriate financial rewards to support the adoption of sustainable practices among lower-tier suppliers. Implementing these measures requires the creation of multi-tier supply chain fields that collectively work toward common sustainability goals and the adoption of sustainable practices at lower tiers.