Environmental Sustainability and Supply Chain Management — A Framework of Cross-Functional Integration and Knowledge Transfer

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss mechanisms of intra-organizational knowledge transfer within sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Through a conceptual study design, the focus of this paper is on the transfer of SSCM-associated information and knowledge between functional units. Furthermore, the external stakeholder perspective is taken into account. To support this conceptual framework, the knowledge-based theory provides a theoretical foundation in order to study a company’s ability for knowledge sharing. Within this perspective one approach distinguishes between internal and external structures and the individual competence. These findings will be used as a basis to further develop a framework of intra-organizational SSCM knowledge and information transfer as well as cross-functional integration.