Sustainability: Supply chains, partner linkages, and new forms of self-regulation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: de Man, Reinier^a | Burns, Tom R.^{b; *; **}

Affiliations: [a] Sustainable Business Development, Kloksteeg 33, 2311 SK Leiden, The Netherlands | [b] Department of Sociology, University of Uppsala, PO Box 624, 75126 Uppsala, Sweden

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. Tel.: +46708247050, E-mail: [email protected].

Note: [**] Tom R. Burns is currently also visiting professor at NORAGRIC, University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.

Abstract: This paper outlines a multi-level approach to sustainable business development. It builds on the notion that contemporary production systems are extensive, increasingly global in their reach. National government regulation is not feasible in many cases. Attempts to nationally regulate against non-sustainable production and business practices may even result in World Trade Organization (WTO) action against improper trade barriers. And, obviously, there is no international government with proper legislative and regulatory powers. Starting with the concept of supply chain, we describe and analyze the emerging practice of forming business partnerships for sustainability. The conceptualization is illustrated with a number of current examples. Problems and potentialities are discussed briefly in a concluding discussion.

Keywords: Sustainability, supply chains, partnerships, self-regulation, multi-level approach

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2006-25101

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2006