Social Sustainability Practices within the Supply Chain of Multinational Corporations

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Nike as example for the transition of a MNC towards SSS.
• Increasingly complex supplier structures
• International development of MNCs
• Imperatives for MNCs to expand internationally.
• Problems associated with expansion of MNC........
• Increased exposure of MNCs ....
• Literature review
• Definition of social sustainability.
• Social sustainability and performance.
• Corporate financial performance.
• Corporate social performance...
• SSS within the supply chain of MNCs
• Context of SSS within the supply chain. _
• Implementation process.
• Institutional social guidelines
• The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines on Multinationals........
• The Fair Labour Association (FLA).....
• United Nations (UN) - Global Compact (GC).
• Individual social guidelines - codes of conduct.
• Sustainable risk management of MNCs as competitive advantage
• Tools to monitor supplier's adherence: assessment versus collaboration
• Influence of the regulatory environment on SSS of MNCS
• Methodology..
• The Otto Group - A case study about social sustainability and its effective implementation within a MNC...
• The Otto Group..
• Company overview.
• Company history
• The Otto Group and social sustainability
• Vision from the top
• Top management and its influence on SSS.
• The Otto Group's SSS organisation.
• Extensive audit system
• The Otto Group's codes of conduct
• The Otto Group's social programme..
• Assessment - Collaboration of suppliers..........\li>
  • The Otto Group's supply chain management in low regulated markets.....
  • Social Officers.......
  • Classification system.....
• Lessons learned.........
• Conclusion....………………………
• Round up...
• Future analysis.
• Limitations

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to examine the extent to which Multinational Corporations (MNCs) implement social sustainability (SSS) practices consistently across their supply chains, particularly when operating in countries with different regulatory environments. It focuses on whether MNCs apply the same level of SSS standards to suppliers in countries close to their home market compared to suppliers in regulatory distant countries. The research intends to contribute to the understanding of SSS implementation within the supply chain of MNCs and provide insights into the effectiveness of different monitoring methods. Key themes and objectives of the thesis include:
• The importance of social sustainability in the supply chains of MNCs
• The impact of regulatory environments on the implementation of SSS practices
• The effectiveness of different monitoring methods for ensuring supplier compliance
• The role of collaboration between MNCs and suppliers in promoting SSS
• The application of SSS principles in the context of global supply chains

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the context for the research by highlighting the growing importance of SSS in MNC supply chains. It uses the example of Nike to illustrate the transition of MNCs towards integrating SSS practices. The chapter also explores the complexities of global supply chains and the challenges associated with extending SSS standards to suppliers in various regulatory environments.

Chapter 2 delves into the international development of MNCs, examining the drivers behind their global expansion. The chapter discusses the challenges and risks associated with this expansion, particularly regarding the increased exposure of MNCs to diverse regulatory frameworks and social issues within their supply chains.

Chapter 3 provides a comprehensive literature review, defining SSS and its implications for corporate performance. The chapter examines the role of SSS within the supply chain, exploring the various contexts and implementation processes. It also analyzes key institutional social guidelines and individual codes of conduct that influence the development of SSS practices. Furthermore, the chapter examines the effectiveness of different tools used to monitor supplier adherence to SSS standards, comparing assessment and collaboration methods.

Chapter 4 outlines the methodology employed in the research, providing a detailed explanation of the data collection and analysis methods used in the case study. The chapter outlines the specific focus of the research, which examines the case of The Otto Group.

Chapter 5 presents a case study of The Otto Group, the second largest online retailer in the world, examining its approach to social sustainability and its implementation within the company's supply chain. This chapter delves into the company's history, organizational structure, and its vision for SSS. It explores the company's extensive audit system, including its codes of conduct and social programs. This chapter also analyzes the effectiveness of the Otto Group's assessment and collaboration methods for monitoring supplier compliance. The chapter concludes by exploring the lessons learned from the case study, highlighting key insights and recommendations for the implementation of effective SSS strategies.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The keywords of this thesis include: social sustainability, supply chain, Multinational Corporations (MNCs), regulatory environment, assessment, collaboration, monitoring methods, codes of conduct, corporate social responsibility, and case study. These terms represent the core concepts and focus areas of the research, highlighting the primary themes and concepts discussed throughout the text. The research centers on examining the relationship between social sustainability and the effectiveness of different monitoring methods for ensuring compliance within MNC supply chains. The case study of The Otto Group provides a valuable framework for understanding the practical application of these concepts in a real-world setting.