Internal Enablers for the Implementation of Sustainable Supply Chain Risk Management Systems

Abstract

Continuous globalization and requirements for sustainable products increases the risks for companies for reputation damages through sustainability violations in their supplier networks. Therefore effective management of sustainability risks is essential for companies. This paper aims at identifying factors that enable companies to implement an effective risk management system with regard to social, environmental and economic risks of their supply chain. A model is elaborated that represents the internal enablers that promote the development of an effective sustainability risk management system within the supplier network. Afterwards this model has been operationalized and validated by using semi-structured interviews with experts from one enterprise. It was determined that besides supply chain complexity the support of the top management is decisive for initiating and establishing necessary processes as well as for the provision of the necessary resources which in turn enables implementing an effective risk management system regarding sustainability risks from the supply chain.