Impact pathways: improving supply chain sustainability by due diligence acts? Insights from a German case
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 12 October 2023
Issue publication date: 19 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
By January 1, 2023, the German supply chain due diligence act (SCDDA) has become effective. This represents a strong governmental intervention into global operations and supply chain management (SCM). Hence, its frame conditions and implications are worth being studied.
Design/methodology/approach
Expert interviews with managers reveal factors of risks and opportunities as well as performance impacts and implementation issues.
Findings
A conceptual framework and research avenues are outlined.
Research limitations/implications
Pathways for SCM research and interdisciplinary studies are suggested.
Practical implications
Practitioners may gain a deeper understanding of relevant factors for managing supply chains (SCs) that are exposed to the new act.
Social implications
Understanding implications of the act may help improve social SC sustainability.
Originality/value
This study offers an initial empirical exploration and a first conceptualization of the expected consequences of the German SCDDA.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted in the project “Sustainable textile supply chains in Ethiopia and Germany” funded by the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD (Funding ID 57504740).
Since acceptance of this article, the following author(s) have updated their affiliation(s): Ronakeh Warasthe is at the Chair of Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, Kassel University, Kassel, Germany.
Citation
Brandenburg, M., Warasthe, R. and Seuring, S. (2024), "Impact pathways: improving supply chain sustainability by due diligence acts? Insights from a German case", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 44 No. 4, pp. 859-874. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-03-2023-0200
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited