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A three-dimensional framework for multi-tier sustainable supply chain management

Philipp C. Sauer (Chair of Supply Chain Management, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany)
Stefan Seuring (Chair of Supply Chain Management, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany)

Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 1359-8546

Article publication date: 26 October 2018

Issue publication date: 13 November 2018

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the under-researched role of the sub-supplier’s direct environment in achieving compliance with multi-tier sustainable supply chain management (MT-SSCM) objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on conceptual research, this study aims to generalize the characteristics of multi-tier supply chains in light of institutional theory and supply chain (SC) uncertainty to enhance the understanding of their complex interrelationship.

Findings

A three-dimensional framework is built around the supply and demand uncertainty as well as the pressures for sustainability exerted by the supplier’s direct environment to propose ideal constellations for the application of MT-SSCM. Moreover, research directions and implications for the alteration of suboptimal constellations are developed.

Practical implications

Incorporating the supplier’s environment in the choice of MT-SSCM practices couples the sustainability priorities of the focal firm and the supplier. This enables a more complete picture of the sustainability objectives and sustainable development aims of the SC partners.

Originality/value

On the basis of institutional theory, the study extends current MT-SSCM concepts by including the supplier’s direct environment in the choice of ideal management practices in a particular SC setup. It provides a definition of a multi-tier SC as an institutional field and a number of research implications regarding MT-SSCM as well as generic SSCM. Moreover, the proposed framework helps SC managers to understand the complex interplay of the SC partners’ sustainability aims and provides implications for choosing the most suitable MT-SSCM practices.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research is financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (grant no. 01UT140).

Citation

Sauer, P.C. and Seuring, S. (2018), "A three-dimensional framework for multi-tier sustainable supply chain management", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 560-572. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-06-2018-0233

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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