INOVAÇÕES SOCIOAMBIENTAIS EM CADEIAS DE SUPRIMENTO: um estudo de caso sobre o papel da empresa focal

Abstract

This article presents the results of a research that aims to answer the following question: how does the focal company drive and implement innovative social and environmental practices throughout a supply chain oriented towards sustainability? A focal company is one that rules or coordinates the supply chain, provides the direct contact to the costumer and designs the product offered by the chain. Initially, a discussion on supply chain management and sustainability is presented to define the conceptual framework of the research reported and then, models of sustainable supply chain management are examined. These chains aim to achieve simultaneously economic, social and environmental positive impacts in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development, concept that in the business context has the triple bottom line (TBL) model as one of its most important expressions. A case study is, then, presented and it involves two supply chains based on biodiversity assets and encompasses six organizations upstream of the focal company. Two innovation induction strategies are considered, one centered on requirements imposed on suppliers and other oriented in developing new products. The study shows evidence that innovation in supply chains oriented towards sustainability require the creation of induction instruments by the focal company, as well as cooperation among participants, points out the relevance of the induction framework adopted and its possibilities for replication. The study also allows making additions to this model thereby contributing to theory building on sustainable supply chain management and its relation to sustainable innovations. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]