Multi-tier sustainable supply chain management: a case study of a global food retailer
ISSN: 1359-8546
Article publication date: 20 July 2023
Issue publication date: 2 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Implementing sustainable practices in multi-tier supply chains (MTSCs) is a difficult task. This study aims to investigate why such endeavours fail and how MTSC partners can address them.
Design/methodology/approach
A single-case study of a global food retail company was used in this study. Semi-structured interviews with the case firm and its first- and second-tier suppliers were used to collect data, which were then qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Major barriers impeding the implementation of sustainability in multi-tier food supply chains were revealed such as the cost of sustainability, knowledge gap, lack of infrastructure and supply chain complexity. Furthermore, the findings reveal five possible solutions such as multi-tier collaboration and partnership, diffusion of innovation along the chain, supply chain mapping, sustainability performance measurement and capacity building, all of which can aid in the improvement of sustainability practices.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should investigate how specific barriers and drivers affect specific aspects of sustainability, pointing practitioners to specific links between the variables that can aid in tailoring sustainability oriented investment.
Practical implications
This research supports managerial comprehension of MTSC sustainability, pointing out ways to improve sustainability performance despite the complex multi-tier system of food supply chains.
Originality/value
The research on MTSC sustainability is still growing, and this research contributes to the debate about how MTSCs can become more sustainable from the perspective of the triple bottom line, particularly food supply chains which face significant sustainability challenges.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their valuable suggestions and comments which significantly helped us produce a valuable article. The authors are also grateful to Dr Tarik Saikouk (HDR) who provided some interesting perspectives on this paper.
Citation
Oyedijo, A., Kusi-Sarpong, S., Mubarik, M.S., Khan, S.A. and Utulu, K. (2024), "Multi-tier sustainable supply chain management: a case study of a global food retailer", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 68-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-05-2022-0205
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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