The wicked problem of sustainable development in supply chains

Pederneiras, Yasmim Maia; Meckenstock, Johann; Carvalho, Ana; Barbosa‐Póvoa, Ana Paula

doi:10.1002/bse.2873

Cited by 16 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 92 publications

(154 reference statements)

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“…Alongside reporting of tangible performance measures, businesses will be assessed on what role they play for local and global sustainability (Hoffman, 2018). For instance, the recent trend of embracing United Nations Development Goals (UNSDGs) at supply chain level (Pederneiras et al, 2021) is a business strategy decision with strong implications for procurement. Differently from the bottom-up approach, this top-down strategy can encounter significant constraints and feasibility which can affect not only the economic sustainability but also social contribution of the firm.…”

Section: Conclusion and Implications For Business Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional logic for sustainable purchasing and supply management: Concepts, illustrations, and implications for business strategy

Silva

Nunes

2021

Bus Strat Env

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Amidst the number of studies on sustainable purchasing and supply management (PSM), we have yet to learn how sustainability becomes a logic for organisations and their stakeholders. Thus, this paper offers an extended approach on the emergence of an institutional logic of sustainability (ILS). Our contribution includes the macro mechanisms supporting the robust and continuous adoption of an ILS for procurement. Three distinct trajectories of an ILS emerged from the literature, and their application to sustainable PSM is illustrated using real-world examples. The trajectories rely upon the evolution of (1) institutional entrepreneurs or (2) PSM structures but also can happen through (3) the co-evolution of both. By offering a conceptual model and a set of research propositions for future theory and empirical testing, this paper helps scholars and practitioners to advance their knowledge on managing purchasing departments according to sustainability values and making it a competitiveness factor. Lastly, this paper adds value to both implementation and formulation of sustainable business strategies as the application of our conceptual framework can lead to better strategic alignment of PSM practices.

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Section: Conclusion and Implications For Business Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional logic for sustainable purchasing and supply management: Concepts, illustrations, and implications for business strategy

Silva

Nunes

2021

Bus Strat Env

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“…In this line of inquiry, several authors have described sustainability issues as complex problems because they are difficult to define; there are no right or wrong answers, and the solution set changes on a regular basis (Weber et al , 2021; Pederneiras et al , 2022). Levin et al (2012) and Yearworth (2016) argued that sustainability is actually a “super complex” problem due to four main characteristics: time is running out as we start to approach echospheric “tipping points”; the same entity that is creating the problems (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Classical paradigms versus complexity thinking in engineering education: an essential discussion in the education for sustainable development

Sigahi

Rampasso

Anholon

et al. 2022

IJSHE

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Purpose This paper aims to discuss how the theory of complex thinking can be considered an interesting element in engineering education, especially in the context in which challenges toward sustainable development are multidisciplinary. Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint synthesizes the main reflections and discussions generated during a process of debate, research and creation of a proposal for an undergraduate engineering course at a higher education institution in Brazil. The literature on engineering education, sustainability and complexity was considered in an integrated way. Debates were conducted considering the authors’ knowledge and experience as professors of engineering courses and researchers in the field of sustainability. A qualitative and reflexive approach was used to organize the main discussions. Findings The prevailing classical engineering paradigm trains professionals to think from a Cartesian, reductionist perspective, appropriate for solving well-structured problems with known solution paths and convergent answers. However, addressing sustainability challenges requires a different kind of thinking capable of dealing with situations characterized by uncertainty, emergence and incompleteness of knowledge. Complexity thinking can be useful for this purpose as it provides a broad system approach to deal with ill-defined, ill-structured and unpredictable problems. This study can be understood as a call to researchers and professionals to consider the value and importance of complexity thinking to advance engineering education for sustainability. Originality/value The need to overcome the limits of the classical engineering paradigm is emphasized in the context of sustainability. Complex thinking is considered as a path toward a paradigm shift in engineering education for sustainability. It can contribute to the training of professionals to face pressing challenges now and in the future. This viewpoint provides some insights to enhance debates on education engineering.

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“…Since the findings highlight the importance of a more thorough preparatory analysis that lays the groundwork for SO realization, our recommendations deviate partially from the commonly advocated experimentational approach to CBM implementation (e.g., Bocken et al, 2021; Evans et al, 2017). Sustainability issues are indeed “wicked”—that is to say, they are ill‐defined and dynamic (Pederneiras et al, 2021)—and cannot be predicted by objective formulas and solved by formal planning. Therefore, we do not dispute the need for flexibility during the subsequent stages of a circular transition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing sustainability opportunities for circular business models

2021

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As the unfolding climate crisis escalates, incumbent manufacturing companies are increasingly sensing and seizing sustainability opportunities—ideas that help to generate value in a more sustainable way than existing alternatives. Prior literature has underscored the importance of opportunity recognition and has theorized various types of circular business models to address sustainability in practice. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the step in between: undertaking an assessment that provides a foundation for subsequently pursuing a circular business model. Based on a multiple case study of four innovation projects pursuing sustainability, this article identifies capability assessment, ecosystem alignment, and value‐capture viability as key dimensions in evaluating sustainability opportunities prior to circular business model design and development. These insights are aggregated into a framework that allows companies to conduct a systematic assessment of sustainability opportunities in practice. The framework provides new theoretical implications for the literature on circular economy and business model innovation, and it offers hands‐on advice for management practice.

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The wicked problem of sustainable development in supply chains

Cited by 16 publications

References 92 publications

Institutional logic for sustainable purchasing and supply management: Concepts, illustrations, and implications for business strategy

Institutional logic for sustainable purchasing and supply management: Concepts, illustrations, and implications for business strategy

Classical paradigms versus complexity thinking in engineering education: an essential discussion in the education for sustainable development

Assessing sustainability opportunities for circular business models

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