Social Responsibility Practice of the Evolving Nature in the Sustainable Development of Arctic Maritime Operations

Abstract

This qualitative single-case study aims to explore how supply chain operations incorporate the social responsibility aspect in response to contextual influence and what possible effects does the implementing of social responsibility principles bring into SCM. The study presents the implementation of social responsibility into SCM practices in the Russian Arctic context. Data from 22 semi-structured interviews, personal observations and archival materials are interpreted through the institutional logics approach. The study reveals how social responsibility principles evolve in the existing SCM practice and enable supply chains to contribute to the needs of local communities in terms of the values of the society. The findings show that social responsibility initiatives in the existing SCM practice became possible after the satisfaction of economic and environmental concerns of cargo transportation in the Russian Arctic. Further, the case study indicates how contextual challenges make a company reconsider its core competencies and the role of supply chain practices to be more resilient and socially responsible. The findings reveal that social responsibility initiatives gain a more fertile ground for further development when they contribute also to strengthening financial performance in the supply chain. More empirical studies on social responsibility in achieving SCM sustainability are suggested.