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Supply Chain Management

Sustainable supply chain management for corporate citizenship is defined as the opportunity for companies to address inefficiencies and risks as well as responsibly manage the quality of goods and services within their supply chain. It's a vital component of any company's platform, yet many CSR professionals in the field aren't sure where to begin. Addressing the ethical and sustainability issues in supply chain management often starts with a thorough examination of your company's code of conduct. You can use these guiding documents as tools to detail expectations and commitments required of suppliers of all sizes. The trend toward more ethical manufacturing has created new opportunities to incorporate CSR goals with supply chain operations. For example, through supplier diversity programs, many companies are finding new ways to encourage the building of partnerships with a broader range of female and minority owned businesses.

In an effort to promote ethical sourcing, companies are evaluating the human rights records and labor laws in the countries where suppliers are located in order ensure that suppliers are observing the codes of conduct, industry standards of performance, and local and global law. Some companies are even creating targeted workforce development programs in the local communities of their global value chain to foster economic growth and skill-building. Ultimately, supply chain management offers you endless opportunities to address both business and social goals, regardless of your company’s size, industry, or scale of production.

The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is here to help you understand the risks and opportunities that exist in your value chain. Below is a sample of the supply chain sustainability examples and resources we offer our members.

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Resources and Research on Supply Chain Management

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Want to achieve corporate citizenship progress? Include your supply chain

A significant amount of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact occurs within supply chains, whether it is greenhouse gas emissions, vendor performance, labor conditions within a supplier’s factory, or the sourcing of materials.

Integrating Corporate Citizenship Through Your Supply Chain

COURSE - In this course, tap into the hidden opportunity in your supply chain and learn to manage supply chain partners.

Integrating Corporate Citizenship Across the Value Chain

A closer look at how two companies are enforcing their corporate citizenship standards throughout their value chains.

Corporate Citizenship Through the Value Chain

Two leading companies share how they work with partners throughout their value chain to better the environment and society.

Carrots or sticks? Improving social and environmental compliance of suppliers

By keeping a close eye on their supply chains, firms can reduce social and environmental risk and—as a result—deliver better corporate citizenship performance. Incentives and penalties are strong tools that can influence supplier behavior and do so in a way that reduces overall costs for the firm.

How a sustainable supply chain can support your sustainability objectives and provide competitive advantage

Focusing on sustainability in procurement creates a competitive advantage for companies.

Final guidance on fair play and safe workspaces

The FAR Council and the Department of Labor issued final rules and guidance for the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order to require prospective federal contractors to disclose labor law violations and give agencies guidance on how to consider labor violations when awarding federal contracts.

Supply Chain: Managing and Communicating for Corporate Citizenship Success

This webinar examines the environmental, social, and economic risks and opportunities present throughout a company’s supply chain. Panelist explore how to create and evaluate corporate citizenship programs designed for your vendors, suppliers, and third-party providers. This video is for members only; you must be logged in as a member to view it.

Interested in More Resources?

Explore our research archives for more on supply chain management. Search Resource Library