Intra-industry strategic alliances for managing sustainability-related supplier risks: Motivation and outcome.

Canzaniello A, Fifka M, Hartmann E (2017)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Book Volume: 47

Pages Range: 387-409

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2016-0034

Abstract

 

Purpose
 

The purpose of this paper is to explore how intra-industry strategic alliances (SAs) seek to assess supplier risk related to sustainability, what motivation drives single members to form or join such an SA, and how such a joint endeavor affects supplier risk management.

Design/methodology/approach
 

An embedded single case study with multiple units of analysis was conducted. The main data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key respondents from seven leading chemical companies, three of which were founding members of the SA, while four were new members.

Findings
 

This paper shows that forming/joining an SA concerning sustainability-related supplier risk assessment, results in the reduction of task uncertainty and equivocality as well as the increase of information processing capacities. Based on the implemented sharing routines, a higher overall efficiency can be achieved. Moreover, the members benefit from an enhanced identification of varying stakeholder expectations, a facilitated capability building and a more comprehensive supplier risk assessment. In particular, the joint endeavors result in assessment processes of higher robustness, which provide outcomes of higher quality.

Originality/value
 

This paper is the first to investigate companies’ efforts toward improving their supplier risk management in the area of sustainability by establishing/joining an intra-industry SA. By providing insights into the motivation to form or join such a collaborative platform and illustrating the effects that arise from the SA’s work from an organizational information processing perspective, it provides a contribution to both academics and managerial practice.

Purpose
 

The purpose of this paper is to explore how intra-industry strategic alliances (SAs) seek to assess supplier risk related to sustainability, what motivation drives single members to form or join such an SA, and how such a joint endeavor affects supplier risk management.

Design/methodology/approach
 

An embedded single case study with multiple units of analysis was conducted. The main data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key respondents from seven leading chemical companies, three of which were founding members of the SA, while four were new members.

Findings
 

This paper shows that forming/joining an SA concerning sustainability-related supplier risk assessment, results in the reduction of task uncertainty and equivocality as well as the increase of information processing capacities. Based on the implemented sharing routines, a higher overall efficiency can be achieved. Moreover, the members benefit from an enhanced identification of varying stakeholder expectations, a facilitated capability building and a more comprehensive supplier risk assessment. In particular, the joint endeavors result in assessment processes of higher robustness, which provide outcomes of higher quality.

Originality/value
 

This paper is the first to investigate companies’ efforts toward improving their supplier risk management in the area of sustainability by establishing/joining an intra-industry SA. By providing insights into the motivation to form or join such a collaborative platform and illustrating the effects that arise from the SA’s work from an organizational information processing perspective, it provides a contribution to both academics and managerial practice.

 

Authors with CRIS profile

How to cite

APA:

Canzaniello, A., Fifka, M., & Hartmann, E. (2017). Intra-industry strategic alliances for managing sustainability-related supplier risks: Motivation and outcome. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 47(5), 387-409. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2016-0034

MLA:

Canzaniello, Angelo, Matthias Fifka, and Evi Hartmann. "Intra-industry strategic alliances for managing sustainability-related supplier risks: Motivation and outcome." International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management 47.5 (2017): 387-409.

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