Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Case studies in the consumer electronics industry

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 Theoretical Foundation

2.1 Sustainability and Supply Chain Management

2.2 Environmental Aspect

2.3 Social Aspect

2.4 Economic Aspect

2.5 Consumer Electronics Industry

2.6 Research Question

3 Methodology

4 Case Selection

4.1 Single Case Review

4.1.1 Dell

4.1.2 Philips

4.1.3 Samsung

4.1.4 Sony

4.2 Cross-Case Comparison

5 Pattern Finding

5.1 Entering the Field

5.2 Crafting Instruments

5.3 Data Analysis and Theory Building

5.3.1 Sustainability Achievement Process

5.4 Refining the Model

5.4.1 Acknowledgement

5.4.2 Vision and Strategy

5.4.3 Communication

5.4.4 Assessment

5.4.5 Goal Setting

5.4.6 Goal Achievement

5.4.7 Expanding the Reach

5.4.8 Maintaining the Success

5.5 Comparison with other Literature

5.6 Discussion

6 Conclusions and Outlook

Research Objectives and Focus

The primary objective of this thesis is to investigate the concepts of implementation and design for Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) within the consumer electronics industry. By analyzing sustainability reports from leading multinational enterprises—Dell, Philips, Samsung, and Sony—the research aims to develop an integrating theory that classifies how corporations achieve supply chain sustainability through a multi-phase process.

• Application of case study analysis to identify implementation patterns in the consumer electronics sector.
• Development of the 'Sustainability Achievement Process' model consisting of eight distinct phases.
• Identification of specific indicators and keywords to evaluate a corporation's progress in sustainability.
• Comparison of empirical findings with existing literature to refine the theoretical framework for SSCM.

Extract from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: This chapter highlights the rising importance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the global consumer electronics industry due to environmental concerns and social pressures.

2 Theoretical Foundation: This section reviews the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—and their integration into supply chain management frameworks.

3 Methodology: The author outlines the use of case study research and grounded theory strategies to construct a scientific framework for the subsequent empirical analysis.

4 Case Selection: This chapter provides the rationale for selecting Dell, Philips, Samsung, and Sony as the primary subjects for the study based on their industry ranking and global market presence.

5 Pattern Finding: This core chapter details the data analysis, introduces the 'Sustainability Achievement Process' model, and provides a cross-case analysis comparing the companies' progress across eight distinct phases.

6 Conclusions and Outlook: The final chapter summarizes the research findings, evaluates the proposed model's validity, and suggests directions for future research in SSCM.

Keywords

Supply chain management, sustainability, case study research, consumer electronics industry, holistic approach, theory building, sustainable supply chain management, sustainability achievement process, environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility, GRI reporting, supply chain integration, corporate strategy, industry benchmarks, process-oriented management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The research focuses on the application and design of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) within the consumer electronics industry, utilizing case studies of four major global corporations.

What central theme defines the sustainability framework?

The central theme is the 'Sustainability Achievement Process', a model consisting of eight chronological phases that describe how companies transition from identifying sustainability issues to achieving long-term success.

What is the core research question?

The thesis asks which concepts of implementation and design for SSCM are available in the consumer electronics industry and how these concepts can be classified.

Which methodology is employed in this thesis?

The research employs a qualitative case study approach, utilizing the Grounded Theory Strategy to build an explanatory model based on data derived from corporate sustainability reports.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The main body focuses on identifying patterns in corporate sustainability reporting, building the eight-phase model, and performing a cross-case analysis to refine the model's logic and definitions.

What key terms characterize the study?

Key terms include Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM), grounded theory, multinational enterprises (MNEs), global sourcing, and stakeholder engagement.

Why was the consumer electronics industry selected for this study?

The industry was chosen due to its high complexity, reliance on global sourcing, and the urgent need to manage environmental and social risks in its extended supply chains.

How does the model handle the different sustainability reports?

The model provides a common scale and set of indicators, allowing for the classification of sustainability efforts even when companies use different reporting frameworks or omit specific data.