Sustainable supply chain management in SMEs in the construction industry
Tompuri, Elina (2024)
2024
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024123138200
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024123138200
Tiivistelmä
New sustainability requirements, such as Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD) and The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are forcing companies to closely examine, prevent and mitigate sustainability impacts such as human rights impacts and carbon emissions in their supply chains. The importance of sustainability and supply chain traceability has long been recognized, yet its implementation still faces significant challenges. Especially small and medium sized companies (SMEs) lack resources and under-standing on how to manage sustainability issues in their multi-tier supply chains. The purpose of the research is to form practical guidelines on how to manage sustainability in a supply chain of SME in the field of construction.
The knowledge base of the thesis is based on sustainability supply chain management research. Sustainability supply chain management research focuses on examining and improving the environmental, social, and economic aspects of supply chain operations. It involves studying practices, strategies, and initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact, promoting social responsibility, and ensuring economic viability throughout the supply chain.
The research is based on secondary data collected in a medium-sized construction company in spring 2024. The sustainability of the company's value chain is assessed through an evaluation conducted by an independent review. The results of this review are used to form guide-lines for managing sustainability issues within the supply chain. The thesis seeks to find answers to the steps the company should take to better manage sustainability issues in its value chain and how the company should report on value chain sustainability under CSRD.
The research highlights the importance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the construction industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study emphasizes that SSCM is crucial for curbing negative sustainability impacts, especially since the construction industry is a significant global user of raw materials. The research identifies several challenges faced by SMEs in managing sustainability issues in their multi-tier supply chains, such as limited resources and understanding.
The thesis develops guidelines for SMEs to manage their supply chains and prepare for re-porting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The findings suggest that sustainable supply chain management can significantly improve the sustainability performance of SMEs in the construction industry. The framework developed in this research serves as a practical guide for companies seeking to enhance their sustainability practices
In the future, it would be valuable to explore the sustainability impacts of off-site manufacturing, increasing prefabrication levels, and takt time production, particularly in terms of occupational safety, carbon footprint, and supply chain responsibility.
The knowledge base of the thesis is based on sustainability supply chain management research. Sustainability supply chain management research focuses on examining and improving the environmental, social, and economic aspects of supply chain operations. It involves studying practices, strategies, and initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact, promoting social responsibility, and ensuring economic viability throughout the supply chain.
The research is based on secondary data collected in a medium-sized construction company in spring 2024. The sustainability of the company's value chain is assessed through an evaluation conducted by an independent review. The results of this review are used to form guide-lines for managing sustainability issues within the supply chain. The thesis seeks to find answers to the steps the company should take to better manage sustainability issues in its value chain and how the company should report on value chain sustainability under CSRD.
The research highlights the importance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the construction industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study emphasizes that SSCM is crucial for curbing negative sustainability impacts, especially since the construction industry is a significant global user of raw materials. The research identifies several challenges faced by SMEs in managing sustainability issues in their multi-tier supply chains, such as limited resources and understanding.
The thesis develops guidelines for SMEs to manage their supply chains and prepare for re-porting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The findings suggest that sustainable supply chain management can significantly improve the sustainability performance of SMEs in the construction industry. The framework developed in this research serves as a practical guide for companies seeking to enhance their sustainability practices
In the future, it would be valuable to explore the sustainability impacts of off-site manufacturing, increasing prefabrication levels, and takt time production, particularly in terms of occupational safety, carbon footprint, and supply chain responsibility.