Publikationen

Dynamic capabilities (DCs) are crucial for companies to attain competitive advantage in dynamic business environments and supply chains, where environmental and social aspects are considered by sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). However, the effects of stakeholder influences on SSCM performance, which results from the interplay of DCs and SSCM practices, need to be analyzed. Therefore, a system dynamics (SD) model is proposed to include the influences of governmental, shareholder, and other external stakeholder pressure. The system behavior, i.e., the company’s SSCM performance, can thus be analyzed in face of varying time delays of stakeholder influences. Findings indicate that different intensities of stakeholder influences affect the development of SSCM practices and DCs of a focal company, and thus, overall SSCM performance. Consequently, intensities of stakeholder influences should be managed accordingly, while the impact of time delays has to be understood to control SSCM performance. The insights gained from the model support the decision- and policy-making, which can be considered from the perspective of the focal company, the regulatory authorities, the shareholders, and other external stakeholders that ultimately translate into customer pressure.

Globalized economic systems involve complex supply chains (SCs) where environmental and social impacts are to be managed in alignment with diverse stakeholder expectations and to mitigate sustainability-related risks. Quantitative modeling approaches for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) have gained increasing attention. Compared to analytical models and mathematical programming, simulation methods in SSCM are underrepresented, although system dynamics (SD) modeling is suitable to simulate and examine complex and dynamic systems and to support long-term, strategic decision-making. This paper provides a review of SSCM-related SD models, systematizes SSCM from a systems thinking perspective in a conceptual framework, and proposes guidelines for SD modeling in SSCM research. A content analysis of related literature examines SD models for forward, reverse, and closed-loop SCs that include environmental or social aspects of sustainability. It is found that a majority of models deals with macroscopic levels of analysis while models for intra- and inter-organizational SCs are less prominent. SSCM-related SD models integrate environmental and social sustainability metrics, governmental pressures and incentives or customer expectations, but uncertainties and risks are seldom modeled. Inferences for future SD modeling in SSCM are derived from this review to address strengths and shortcomings of extant SD modeling approaches for SSCM. SSCM-related constructs, model validation and the need of hybrid models, which integrate different simulation, optimization, or multi-criteria decision-making models, are addressed. A framework for a systems thinking perspective on SSCM is conceptualized that may serve as a basis for future research.

In today’s business, it is largely acknowledged that sustainability has to be considered in managerial decision making and corporate strategy development. However, many firms still face substantial operational and organizational challenges when striving for a transformation toward sustainability, especially when expanding their efforts toward their supplier base. Framed by the recently emerging theoretical lens of the practice-based view and its extension toward the supply chain practice view, and grounded in recent conceptualizations of sustainable supply chain management, the study at hand elaborates on management practices by which firms can improve the sustainability of their supply chains. Due to its high economic relevance and its exposure to increasing sustainability requirements, the chemical process industry is chosen as the empirical research field. Qualitative case study research identifies intra- and inter-organizational practices that are important to achieve and improve supply chain sustainability. A framework that conceptualizes sustainability practices and their implementation prerequisites and performance impacts is derived from interviews with key informants from German chemical manufacturers. This paper contributes to the state-of-the-art of sustainability diffusion in particular through its distinct focus on imitable practices that are easily transferable between companies and hence may help in transforming entire industry sectors toward sustainability.

The distinct definition of accordance in the perceived barriers and enablers for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) policy implementation has been the subject of various research studies, but a distinct focus on the textile sector has been the object of limited previous attention. However, it has been found that it affects the approach to developments in company approaches to sustainable supply chain management within that industry. This article presents the results of an in-depth comparative case study analysis, drawing on 23 interviews with managers of 10 companies from the textile industry. The analysis demonstrates that specific modes of collaboration can both enable an effective SSCM and diminish barriers for policy implementation. The width and depth varies between a collaborative management approach for an effective internal SSCM versus industry collaboration and buyer supplier collaboration to address external barriers and enablers.