Sustainable Supply Chain Management: How to Integrate Sustainability in a Global Supply Chain

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyze the fundamental issues related to a sustainable supply chain. Based on a case study conducted recently at suppliers for retail business in China, it evaluates why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has to be discussed using a holistic approach alongside the whole supply chain and how CSR in a sustainable supply chain can improve its competitiveness and the quality of products. Furthermore, it provides a state-of-the-art compilation of the most frequently applied definitions of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM). China has been selected as focus area, since more than 80 % of the goods in retail are manufactured in China. Beside the objective to prove the significance of CSR in global supply chains impacting product competitiveness, this chapter also summarizes the measures initiated by the companies interviewed and compiles commonalities into a CSR checklist for further application and amendment by CSR managers to improve their company’s financial performance while using CSR measurements.