Supply chain sustainability learning: the COVID-19 impact on emerging economy suppliers

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain (SC) sustainability learning. In particular, it focuses on the learning associated with changes in the sustainability initiatives of emerging economy suppliers. Design/methodology/approach Through studying three scenarios (pre-outbreak, buyer-centred peak and supplier-centred peak) over a nine-month period, a multi-case study strategy was used to gain an understanding of the learning of export-oriented Brazilian coffee producers, using both exploitation and exploration capabilities. Content analysis was developed after each data collection phase to investigate how sustainability initiatives had changed. Findings Social sustainability was observed to be the main priority by suppliers facing this unprecedented outbreak, in ways that go beyond expected sustainability certification requirements. For instance, there was evidence of outstanding contributions to the local community. Suppliers initially developed their sustainability initiatives during the outbreak without any support from global buyers, certification bodies or government. In spite of this, stronger relationships with buyers ultimately emerged facilitating greater SC sustainability. Consequently, by using both exploitation and exploration learning capabilities, multiple levels of learning were observed (i.e. individual, organisational and SC) as related to planning, new procedures and social awareness. Practical implications A greater awareness of supplier learning processes will aid buyers in developing recovery plans that are appropriate for their global SC partners. Originality/value This paper provides an understanding of how emerging economy suppliers of global SCs are coping with this unprecedented outbreak in regard to sustainability management. Moving the spotlight from buyers to suppliers, the research demonstrates that supplier learning is central to global SC sustainability.

Supplier absorptive capacity: learning via boundary objects in sustainability-oriented supplier development initiatives

“…Recent research into knowledge transfer regarding sustainability initiatives has either examined only a subset of these three processes, or has considered absorptive capacity holistically without unpacking the detailed role of each process. For example, Tong et al (2018) discussed absorptive capacity as a unified concept to understand whether suppliers implement sustainability practices, while Pereira et al (2021) limited their discussion to the roles of explorative and exploitative learning without considering the transformative learning process. More specifically, in the context of learning stimulated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pereira et al (2021) found that suppliers enter the learning loop using an exploitative learning process of external knowledge and that subsequent learning loops involve both explorative and exploitative learning regarding social sustainability practices.…”

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Female Workers’ Social Sustainability in Global Supply Chains

“…Governments-both in the North and South-need to enforce international labour standards and best practice guidelines concerning social sustainability to protect women's rights and to ensure adequate working conditions for women to effectively help address issues such as poverty, gender equity, and the overall wellbeing of women in the workforce [77]. Pereira et al [18] argued that, while government support is instrumental for companies operating in lower-and middle-income countries to address the impacts of the pandemic, timely and effective support was mostly lacking concerning social issues. Hence, public policymakers need to acknowledge governments' central role in enhancing social sustainability and to develop policies that can assist companies in the development and implementation of effective recovery plans.…”

“…Masselot and Hayes [17] (p. 57) noted that "gender issues, in particular, are at the very core of the COVID-19 pandemic". Similarly, a recent study by Pereira et al [18] revealed that social sustainability should be the main priority of suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to go beyond meeting the predominant sustainability certification standard requirements and promoting substantive social sustainability initiatives targeting social inequalities and vulnerabilities in global supply chains.…”

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Sustainable Food Supply Chains

“…Sustainability in food supply chains has always been a difficult issue [6]. Supply chains have been adversely affected around the world, especially in uncertain times such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with emerging restrictions and business interruptions, and the sustainability of supply chains is facing disruption [8]. In particular, the food supply chain faces difficulties from the first to the last stage [9].…”

“…The restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic make it difficult for farmers to access the inputs that constitute the first stage of the food supply chain and affect the production capacity, and also logistical problems arise in the food supply chain [10]. In addition, there are many problems such as the uncertainties in the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, difficulty in accessing raw materials in food supply chains [8], loss of cooperation between suppliers, communication problems experienced in the processes i.e., [10]. This uncertain time threatens the sustainable food supply chain [11].…”