The importance of water and energy accessibility and use has become more important as new insight into their role for sustainable development goals has become mainstream. The inclusion of water and energy in strategic decision-making is thus key. Supply chain network design (SCND) in the food industry is an interesting case study for the incorporation of water and energy utilization during the design process of global production systems. In the current green SCND research, frequently, single indicators are used such as carbon emissions to measure environmental impact. This paper presents a case study applied to an orange juice supply chain, formulated as a multi-objective optimization model. A single environmental impact indicator optimization approach is paired against one that includes water and energy use explicitly in the objective function set. Mixed conclusions are shown from the results pairing the two strategies side by side.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the sustainability reporting practices of oil and gas (O&G) companies and the integration of sustainability in the management of their supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – A content analysis of sustainability report of 30 companies was conducted based on the Pacific Sustainability Index that contains 21 topics on social and environmental reporting. An analysis was also conducted on supply chain management (SCM) topics related to supplier management, product stewardship and logistics management. Findings – There is inconsistency in the sustainability reporting practices among the O&G companies studied. While 63 percent of the companies expressed higher environmental intent compared to social intent, their reporting of environmental performance is lagging behind social performance reporting. There is also a lack of supply chain indicators in the sustainability reporting guidelines. This affects the companies ability to report their supply chain practices objectively. Practical implications – The findings of this study can be used as a guideline to improve the sustainability reporting practices and to identify relevant supply chain indicators that can be incorporated in a sustainability reporting index. Originality/value – There is a lack of research on sustainability reporting practices in the O&G industry context, especially in terms of SCM. Previous studies focussed on companies in specific countries and/or do not incorporate all sustainability dimensions, namely, economic, environmental and social factor. We think that this is the first comprehensive study on the sustainability reporting practices and the integration of sustainability in SCM in the O&G industry.
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This paper proposes a framework for understanding the contextual factors of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in the O&G industry. It is based on a literature review of studies related to SSCM of O&G topics. The review reveals that there is a lack of SSCM research specific to the industry. Present studies focus on individual stages of its supply chain and do not consider all dimensions of sustainable development, namely economic, environmental and social factors. In addition, existing frameworks lack important contextual aspects of the industry's business and organizational environment. To address these gaps, our research develops an overarching framework operationalizing the internal and external contextual factors of the O&G industry environment that can influence the outcome of its SSCM practices. The proposed framework is useful as a tool in the formulation and implementation of SSCM strategy that enables alignment of a company's internal capabilities with its external environment.
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The developments of digitalization and automation in freight transport and logistics are expected to speed-up the realization of an adaptive, seamless, connected and sustainable logistics system. CATALYST determines the potential and impact of Connected Automated Transport (CAT) by testing and implementing solutions in a real-world environment. We experiment on smart yards and connected corridors, to answer research questions regarding supply chain integration, users, infrastructure, data and policy. Results are translated to overarching lessons on CAT implementations, and shared with potential users and related communities. This way, CATALYST helps logistic partners throughout the supply chain prepare for CAT and accelerates innovation.
The developments of digitalization and automation in freight transport and logistics are expected to speed-up the realization of an adaptive, seamless, connected and sustainable logistics system. CATALYST determines the potential and impact of Connected Automated Transport (CAT) by testing and implementing solutions in a real-world environment. We experiment on smart yards and connected corridors, to answer research questions regarding supply chain integration, users, infrastructure, data and policy. Results are translated to overarching lessons on CAT implementations, and shared with potential users and related communities. This way, CATALYST helps logistic partners throughout the supply chain prepare for CAT and accelerates innovation.
In een circulaire economie worden producten en grondstoffen hergebruikt. Er is geen sprake van afval maar van grondstoffen. Bedrijven die circulair ondernemen kiezen bewust voor hernieuwbare hulpbronnen of zorgen dat de materialen optimaal kunnen worden hergebruikt of hoogwaardig gerecycled. Een circulair bedrijfsmodel vraagt veelal om een andere financieringsconstructie. Zo hebben producten die worden hergebruikt of op hoogwaardige wijze worden gerecycled altijd een financiële restwaarde. Deze dient inzichtelijk te zijn en afgestemd te worden met de verschillende ketenpartners en met financiers. De financieringsbehoefte van een onderneming verandert ook als een bedrijf ervoor kiest om producten niet te verkopen, maar via een overeenkomst beschikbaar te stellen aan gebruikers. Mkb-bedrijven die circulair willen gaan ondernemen, geven aan problemen te ondervinden bij het vinden van passende financiering voor hun circulaire bedrijfsmodel. Zij hebben behoefte aan nieuwe kennis over hoe zij hun financiering moeten organiseren om niet alleen circulair maar ook winstgevend te ondernemen. Uit gesprekken en workshops met bedrijven, zijn de volgende praktijkvragen naar voren gekomen: 1. hoe kunnen we de financiële (rest)waardes van onze producten bepalen en verbinden aan zakelijke afspraken over hergebruik en recycling? 2. hoe kunnen we financiële contracten opstellen met ketenpartners waardoor gebruikers worden gefaciliteerd en gestimuleerd om producten opnieuw te gebruiken en te recyclen? 3. hoe kunnen we financiering aantrekken en wat betekent dit voor onze onderneming en samenwerking binnen de logistieke keten? Onder leiding van het Windesheim lectoraat Supply Chain Management wordt in dit project in een consortium met Stenden, University of Aruba, Sustainable Finance Lab (verbonden aan Universiteit Utrecht), Ilab Green PAC, Bureau Innovatie, MKB-ondernemingen en financiers onderzoek gedaan naar financieringsmogelijkheden binnen de circulaire logistieke keten. De resultaten van dit casestudieonderzoek worden breed gedeeld met bedrijven en onderwijs via masterclasses en lesprogramma's.
