Trends and Challenges in Sustainable Supply Chain Management among Finnish SMEs
Narola, Kirtan; Prajapati, Dhruv (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20251209116184
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20251209116184
Tiivistelmä
This study is significantly concerned with Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) trends and challenges for SMEs in Finland. In fact, it investigates the emerging sustainability practices, barriers for their realization, and how regulatory frameworks and stakeholder expectations influence the SMEs' strategies. Qualitative research was undertaken through semi-structured interviews with ten SME professional representatives across industries including logistics, manufacturing, food, technology, and retail. The result was thematic analysis through which interpretation and extraction of patterns involving sustainability adoption, motivators, and constraints were made.
It was revealed in the findings that Finnish SMEs have indeed started adopting sustainability into their operations. The initiatives have included eco-sourcing of commodities, wastage reduction, improved energy efficiency, and also advanced digital transparency. However, challenges such as limited finances, skills shortage, high costs of certifications, and readiness gaps in technologies still exist. Externalities like EU directives are evident among the factors motivating a lot of participation in SSCM as well as customers and NGOs, whereas internal motivation and ethical values provide the organization with long-term interests. Furthermore, this study also highlights the importance of digitization and collaboration in enabling transparency and efficiency in supply chains domains.
Overall, Finnish SMEs have recorded strong awareness as well as gradual progress towards sustainability but continue to need structured institutional support, financial incentives, and digital training for deeper integration. Partnerships among small and medium enterprises, macro government agencies, and industry networks will be strengthened and will therefore create a basis towards achieving Finland's national sustainability goals. Further, the study has provided key insights to policymakers, business leaders, and researchers which will promote sustainable supply chain practices within SMEs.
Keywords: Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Finnish SMEs, Sustainability Challenges
It was revealed in the findings that Finnish SMEs have indeed started adopting sustainability into their operations. The initiatives have included eco-sourcing of commodities, wastage reduction, improved energy efficiency, and also advanced digital transparency. However, challenges such as limited finances, skills shortage, high costs of certifications, and readiness gaps in technologies still exist. Externalities like EU directives are evident among the factors motivating a lot of participation in SSCM as well as customers and NGOs, whereas internal motivation and ethical values provide the organization with long-term interests. Furthermore, this study also highlights the importance of digitization and collaboration in enabling transparency and efficiency in supply chains domains.
Overall, Finnish SMEs have recorded strong awareness as well as gradual progress towards sustainability but continue to need structured institutional support, financial incentives, and digital training for deeper integration. Partnerships among small and medium enterprises, macro government agencies, and industry networks will be strengthened and will therefore create a basis towards achieving Finland's national sustainability goals. Further, the study has provided key insights to policymakers, business leaders, and researchers which will promote sustainable supply chain practices within SMEs.
Keywords: Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Finnish SMEs, Sustainability Challenges