Time and place
- Trial Lecture at 10.15 - 11.00 in room A-1.025
- Defence starts at 12.15 in room A-1.025
Trial lecture title:
"How insights from the Socio-technical Systems (STS) literature can enrich the literature on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM): Some key areas for future research in the intersection of these strands of literature."
Supervisors
- Professor Lise Lillebrygfjeld Halse, Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College
- Professor Johan Holmgren, Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College
Adjudication committee
- Professor Luitzen de Boer, NTNU
- Docent/Associate Professor Anna Fredriksson, Linköping University
- Associate Professor Heidi Hogset, Molde University College
Chair of defence
Professor Harald Martin Hjelle, Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College
Summary
The thesis investigates how the concept of sustainability is understood and approached by Norwegian manufacturing companies and non-business organizations. It offers a twofold perspective of sustainable supply chain management literature, combined with regional studies, and addresses the company - and cluster-level perspective. The empirical scope of the thesis is limited to the regional companies and organizations in Møre and Romsdal County.
The study results suggest that there have been limited attempts to interpret and operationalize the sustainability concept among companies and cluster organizations. This may represent a challenge, as different perceptions of sustainability could lead to a relatively narrow focus on single dimensions of sustainability.
Regarding SSCM practices, limited information is shared between the case companies and their suppliers, which does not allow for traceability between suppliers and a focal company. Furthermore, the thesis emphasizes the role of the cluster environment, in which past and present conditions influence the orientation of the industry and facilitate the implementation of sustainability practices.
The thesis highlights the role of non-business organizations as sustainability enablers and barriers, as they may disseminate sustainability knowledge and visions, while, as policy implementers, they can support existing industry operations and hinder new developments. Finally, the findings indicate that disruptions such as a pandemic, war, and energy uncertainty can shape the transition toward sustainability.