Sustainable supply chain management: a case study at IKEA

Abstract

While sustainability is central to research on supply chains, there has been relatively little research on diversity and impact on supply chain sustainability performance. Such practices, also called sustainable plans, are the ones that improve not only supply chain economic performance, but also their environmental and social performances. Stakeholders are increasingly exerting pressure on organisations to adopt sustainable practices within their firm and across their supply chain. This one case pilot study explores the extent to which IKEA has successfully integrated sustainability practices into the management of the supply chain. We analyse sustainability practices using data gathered from IKEA as a global case study. Our research findings reveal that sustainability practices can be successfully implemented across an organisation’s entire supply chain, including second and third tier suppliers to gain positive environmental and social impacts while still promoting a strong economic bottom line. The article wraps up with a general discussion, limitations, as well as opportunities for future research, and lastly with concluding remarks.