Infineon: Integrated Supply Chain Architecture to Support Sustainability

Abstract

The concept of sustainability, which is closely connected to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), indicates the interchange of economic, ecological and social aspects. This definition was already part of the report of the 1987 Brundtland Report “Our Common Future” and applies until today. After the UN Global Compact was founded by Kofi Annan these aspects were cast into concrete principles. In addition to this, the EU Commission defined CSR in 2011 as “the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society”. To act in a sustainable manner, Infineon considers all aspects – economical, ecological and social – simultaneously and adequately. The strategic focus on the three pillars energy efficiency, mobility and security provide a substantial contribution for sustainable applications and end products and subsequently also for the creation of a sustainable society. This article describes how Infineon takes over voluntary responsibility within the framework of its CSR strategy and how it deposits this in products and its supply chain management. Special focus is given on how a holistic supply chain management reaches sustainability through flexibility.