Paradoxical tensions in sustainable supply chain management: insights from the electronics multi-tier supply chain context

IF 7.1 2区管理学 Q1 MANAGEMENT

International Journal of Operations & Production Management Pub Date : 2021-08-05 DOI:10.1108/ijopm-10-2020-0709

Axel Zehendner, Philipp C. Sauer, Patrick Schöpflin, Anni-Kaisa Kähkönen, S. Seuring

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引用次数: 21

Abstract

PurposeManaging supply chains (SCs) for sustainability often results in conflicting demands, which can be conceptualized as sustainability tensions. This paper studies sustainability tensions in electronics SC contexts and the related management responses by applying a paradox perspective.Design/methodology/approachA single case study on the electronics SC is conducted with companies and third-party organizations as embedded units of analysis, using semi-structured interviews that are triangulated with publicly available data.FindingsThe study identifies tension elements (learning, belonging, organizing and economic performing) conflicting with general social–ecological objectives in the electronics SC. The results indicate a hierarchal structure among the sustainability tensions in SC contexts. The management responses of contextualization and resolution are assigned to the identified tensions.Practical implicationsFraming social–ecological objectives with their conflicting elements as paradoxical tensions enables organizations and SCs to develop better strategies for responding to complex sustainability issues in SC contexts.Originality/valueThe study contributes toward filling the gap on paradoxical sustainability tensions in SCs. Empirical insights are gained from different actors in the electronics SC. The level of emergence and interconnectedness of sustainability tensions in a larger SC context is explored through an outside-in perspective.

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可持续供应链管理中的矛盾张力：来自电子多层供应链背景的启示

目的为可持续性管理供应链往往会导致需求冲突，这可以被概念化为可持续性紧张关系。本文运用悖论视角研究了电子供应链环境下的可持续性紧张关系以及相关的管理对策。设计/方法/方法电子SC的单一案例研究是以公司和第三方组织为嵌入式分析单元，使用半结构化访谈进行的，访谈与公开可用的数据进行三角测量。研究发现，该研究确定了与电子SC中的一般社会-生态目标相冲突的紧张因素（学习、归属、组织和经济表现）。结果表明，SC环境中的可持续性紧张关系具有层次结构。管理层对情境化和解决的反应被分配给已识别的紧张局势。实际含义将社会-生态目标及其相互冲突的因素视为矛盾的紧张关系，使组织和SC能够制定更好的战略，以应对SC背景下复杂的可持续性问题。原创性/价值该研究有助于填补SC中矛盾的可持续性紧张关系的空白。从电子SC的不同参与者那里获得了经验见解。通过内外视角探讨了在更大的SC背景下可持续性紧张关系的出现程度和相互关联性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Operations & Production Management MANAGEMENT-

CiteScore

13.30

自引率

17.20%

发文量

期刊介绍： The mission of the International Journal of Operations & Production Management (IJOPM) is to publish cutting-edge, innovative research with the potential to significantly advance the field of Operations and Supply Chain Management, both in theory and practice. Drawing on experiences from manufacturing and service sectors, in both private and public contexts, the journal has earned widespread respect in this complex and increasingly vital area of business management. Methodologically, IJOPM encompasses a broad spectrum of empirically-based inquiry using suitable research frameworks, as long as they offer generic insights of substantial value to operations and supply chain management. While the journal does not categorically exclude specific empirical methodologies, it does not accept purely mathematical modeling pieces. Regardless of the chosen mode of inquiry or methods employed, the key criteria are appropriateness of methodology, clarity in the study's execution, and rigor in the application of methods. It's important to note that any contribution should explicitly contribute to theory. The journal actively encourages the use of mixed methods where appropriate and valuable for generating research insights.