Supply chain management ethics: conceptual framework and illustration

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a conceptual framework of Supply Chain Management Ethics (SCM‐ethics).

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based upon a qualitative approach using a series of semi‐structured interviews. Multiple perspectives and respondents have been applied in the data collection process. The study is limited to the Swedish vehicle industry.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that the corporate focus of SCM‐ethics is in part narrow in the Swedish vehicle industry. The partial focus may endanger the corporate ethical performance in the long run, while the immediate one may not be affected.

Research limitations/implications

The approach undertaken and thereof empirical limitations restrict the generality of findings. However, a structure of operationalisation of SCM‐ethics is introduced. It is based upon four orientations and nine areas of questions, all of which serve as a fundament for further research.

Practical implications

The article explores the common grounds, and provides initial insights into the complex and multifaceted field, of SCM‐ethics. It may be used for teaching, training and analytical purposes. It may also be used for further managerial exploration and replication of SCM‐ethics in business.

Originality/value

The principal contributions are a conceptual framework based upon four distinctive orientations and a set of summarized interview series in the context of SCM‐ethics, all of which may be of interest to both practitioners and scholars.

Citation

Svensson, G. and Bååth, H. (2008), "Supply chain management ethics: conceptual framework and illustration", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 13 No. 6, pp. 398-405. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598540810905651