Enhanced cross-sectoral collaboration as an enabler of supply chain decarbonisation

Abstract

Recent reports quantifying Scope 3 emissions from supply chains indicate that there is still a marked reduction potential in this segment. It has been argued that achieving policydriven emission reduction goals in Europe is impossible without strong leverage from supply chain management practices. This dissertation addresses the lack of research aligning supply chain management with the requirements of radical decarbonisation. It also addresses poor use of the potential of wider cross-sectoral collaboration, which is required to further engage buyers, logistics suppliers and other non-traditional stakeholders. Barriers to collaboration include unequal power structures, complex network environments, restrictions on collaborating with competitors and a lack of longterm planning. This dissertation has a two-fold objective: First, building on a rigorous conceptual structure, to understand systemic change by employing system theories to bring consistency to the definition of systemic change in the supply chain decarbonization context. Second, to align cross-sectoral collaboration with the features of systemic change by examining approaches to overcoming known practical barriers to enhanced collaboration, as well as proposing means to create a long-term direction. The dissertation applies a constructive research approach as an overarching methodology that combines practical relevance reflecting the requirement for decarbonisation with system theories and transition management principles. Mixed methods were applied to glean results from literature reviews and obtain empirical evidence from exploratory case studies. Systemic change towards the decarbonisation of supply chains must overcome path-dependent mechanisms and practical obstacles to collaboration between stakeholders. The results underscore the requirement to increase digitalisation while accelerating change in social practices and improving practical stakeholder collaboration. The findings highlight that a mutual long-term direction, use of change facilitators, domain-specific knowledge gathering, open innovation processes and raising cybersecurity awareness are essential to cross-sectoral collaboration in this context. This dissertation concludes that cross-sectoral collaboration plays a significant role in decarbonisation. A systemic perspective helps to identify potential leverage points and allocate collaborative efforts where they are meaningful for accelerating decarbonisation. Engaging non-traditional supply chain stakeholders in well-planned collaborative efforts has significant potential to reduce the inertia within supply chains concerning systemic change towards decarbonisation.