Supply chain: Competitive strategy and sustainability
Establishing the correct strategy can start with social, economic and ecological factors such as energy and waste consumption, waste, human rights, labours, carbon output, all of which directly influence:- Products
- Customers
- Competitors
- Regulations
- Suppliers
- Employees
- Investors
An assessment of how social, economic and ecological factors affect and interact with corporate and competitive strategies can identify gaps in the system and areas which can be improved.
This can assist in determining supply chain operations requirements such as transport, warehousing and, production needs.
- A green strategy or a social strategy is not a strategy for sustainability.
- True sustainability must give equal weight to the economic dimension.
- Sustainable supply chain practices must be financed and provide pay back within a reasonable time span.
The challenge is to assess the financial aspect of a practice by extending the supply chain KPIs to include social and environmental measures and link this to the overall operational KPI system and systems for financial measurement whilst, balancing economic, environmental and social objectives.
- Balance all objectives with hitting the triple bottom line.
- Make realistic goals and targets and align them to corporate strategy and vision.
- Engage with stakeholders to enable them to understand the long-term benefit of sustainable supply chain management.