Background: Exposure of non-sustainable practices put MNCs in bad light, hurting their brand image. Therefore, it is of great importance to ensure supplier sustainability upwards the chain. Vast focus has been put on the first-tier suppliers. However, there are few studies that have investigated the issue of second-tier supplier sustainability, and there are many real life examples of firms’ who failed to ensure second-tier supplier sustainability. Hence, the need for further investigation within the subject.   Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how two Scandinavian-based MNCs ensure second-tier supplier sustainability within their supply chain.   Methodology: This thesis is conducted with an inductive approach, collecting qualitative data through semi-structured interviews and archival research, at two independent companies. Thus, a multiple case study. Empirical findings were analyzed through a template analysis. Based on the theoretical framework and formulated research questions, categories have been derived, constructing the outline for our empirical findings and analysis.   Conclusions: (I) Social and cultural distance are major determinants settling which second-tier suppliers being regarded as critical. Conclusively, these two factors are the major determinants identifying whom to prioritize. Furthermore, IT is recognized as a vital and beneficial tool to utilize when mapping the network of second-tier suppliers. (II) In order to achieve second-tier supplier compliance of CoC, “the grey area approach” is identified as the used approach by investigated companies. Further, long-term relationships with first-tier suppliers are a major key in order to ensure second-tier sustainability in long-term perspective. (III) Last but not least, first-tier supplier network investigation is regarded prior to choosing a first-tier supplier. However, it is nothing decisive since other factors are more important in the process.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-08-07T14:28:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Thiago Verri Gehres_.pdf: 239102 bytes, checksum: 467280d2bd98b0c007c64ff37bb42a00 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-07T14:28:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Thiago Verri Gehres_.pdf: 239102 bytes, checksum: 467280d2bd98b0c007c64ff37bb42a00 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-23 / Nenhuma / A delegação de subfornecedores por uma montadora americana aos seus fornecedores locais de primeira camada (sistemistas) é uma prática comum em um condomínio industrial automotivo no Brasil. A literatura carece de estudos que explorem este tipo de delegação de fornecedores à partir de dimensões presentes na gestão de cadeias de suprimentos, tais como: flexibilidade, fornecedores, qualidade, entregas e estoques, aspectos geográficos, custos da cadeia, lead-time e cooperação na cadeia. Este estudo tem como objetivo preencher esta lacuna ao analisar como os subfornecedores definidos pela montadora afetam a gestão da cadeia de suprimentos destes sistemistas considerando estas dimensões. A pesquisa qualitativa foi realizada por meio de entrevistas pessoais com profissionais que atuam nos sistemistas e possuem conhecimento sobre o negócio de sua empresa e a relação com subfornecedores direcionados. Os resultados sugerem que a concentração da demanda em um subfornecedor impacta negativamente os sistemistas ao reduzir a flexibilidade, ao limitar a aprendizagem entre os elos, ao aumentar os custos devido à dispersão geográfica e ao reduzir a cooperação em função das diferenças de poder. Por outro lado, foram identificadas contribuições positivas com redução de custos dos materiais adquiridos e utilização da estrutura da montadora para resolução de problemas de qualidade. / The delegation of sub-suppliers by an american car maker to its local first tier suppliers is a common practice in an industrial automotive park located in Brazil. There is a lack of studies in the literature about this type of supplier’s delegation thru dimensions presented in supply chain management, such as: flexibility. suppliers, quality, deliveries and stocks, geographical aspects, supply chain costs, lead-time and cooperation among the tiers. This study main goal is to feel this gap analyzing how sub-suppliers defined by the car maker affect the supply management of these first tier suppliers considering these dimensions. The quality research was done thru meetings with first tier suppliers employees that have a good knowledge about the companie’s business and a clear understanding of the relationship with the directed sub-suppliers. The results suggest that a demand concentrantion in a sub-supplier has a negative impact over the first tier suppliers reducing the flexibility, constraining the learning among the tiers, raising the costs due to geographical dispersion and reducing the cooperation as a result of power diferences. On the other hand, positive contributions were identified with material cost reduction and the possibility to use the car maker’s structure to solve quality problems.