Supply Chain

Question 1

What does this chapter deal with?

Answer 1

deals w/ managing the whole system of companies connected through the supply chain

–> we must approach sustainability challenges holistically –> to attain optimal system performance in all the dimensions of the triple bottom line.

Question 2

Factor(s) lead firms to pursue green supply chain management:

Answer 2

• Demand to meet common standards
• Evolving corporate policies
• Concern for corporate image
• Cost reduction
• Stakeholder pressure

Question 3

Factor(s) that can slow the adoption of responsible chain policies:

Answer 3

• Reluctant suppliers
• Lack of universally accepted & universally applicable metrics and data across global supply chains
• And the risk of losing suppliers that cannot meet the challenges involved

Question 4

(3 phases); the process by which to achieve the goal of creating a responsible supply chain:

Answer 4

1. Understanding the chain
2. Managing inside the supply chain
3. Closing the loop

Question 5

Understanding the chain

Answer 5

nature of supply chains being complex & adaptive systems–often consisting of small & medium-sized enterprises

Question 6

Managing inside the supply chain

Answer 6

explains important principles and certifications for supply chain incumbents & will list tools to engage w/ supply chain partners upstream & downstream the supply chain

Question 7

Closing the loop

Answer 7

focus will be on methods to create circular structures that help to, similarly to an ecosystem –> reintegrate products at the end of their useful lifetime into earlier chain stages

Question 8

what should the supply chain look?

Answer 8

Basically to an extension of the principles that we defined for a responsible business –> applied to the whole supply chain –> from the company extracting the first raw material –> to the end-consumer –> and then to the company that revalorizes products at the end of life

Question 9

Responsible Supply Chain

Answer 9

one that optimizes the triple bottom line, stakeholder value, and ethical performance from the first production activity, though the use, until the end of useful life and beyond

Question 10

Supply & Demand are equally important forces in supply chain management…

Answer 10

which is why the declared goal of responsible supply chain management must be to create responsible supply & demand

Question 11

Demanding supply chain players (company clients & end-consumers)…

Answer 11

must create demand for responsible products and services, and suppliers must supply them