infonet-economy

Our exploratory case study research identifies five key capabilities of a focal firm to implement previously defined voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) (e.g., codes of conduct) in their entire supply chain(s), ultimately making supply chain partners (i.e. direct tier-1 as well as indirect tier-2..n sub-suppliers) comply with the VSS: inter-firm dialogue, risk management, external stakeholder collaboration, cross-functional integration, and continuous improvement. We further propose that those capabilities are contingent on the prevailing power relationship between the firm and its suppliers.

[http://www.opus-bayern.de/uni-bamberg/volltexte/2011/341/pdf/4LSCM35LM11... Link]