Universiẗat, Diss.--Erlangen-Nürnberg, 2006.

Unternehmen verfügen typischerweise über mehrstufige Zuliefer- und Abnehmerbeziehungen, deren Konfiguration sich jedoch unterschiedlich komplex gestaltet. Ein Management von Nachhaltigkeit muss diese Unterschiede verstehen, bevor passende Konzepte und Maßnahmen empfohlen werden können. Die Arbeit zeigt welche Ansätze des Nachhaltigkeitsmanagements unter welchen strukturellen Konstellationen der Supply Chain geeignet sind.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) has increasingly been considered important by both industry and academia, organizations around the world seek to extend or disseminate their sustainable practices to their multi-tier supply chains in order to make the whole chain sustainable. Among the main streams of SSCM research, it is surprising that, with a few exceptions, the leadership role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in their supply chains in an emerging economy has been ignored by researchers. Little is known on how MNCs, assuming leadership in their supply chain, have been able to facilitate their supply chain members to learn sustainability practice in an emerging economy context i.e. the mechanisms. To address this gap in the literature, a multiple-case study is designed. Multi-tier supply chains of three MNCs were selected to investigate their proactive sustainability projects in China. They are: Tetra Pak creating a recycling chain in China; Nestlé modernising China’s dairy industry; and IKEA’s sustainable cotton initiative. By adopting Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT), findings related to supply chain leadership, supply chain learning, multi-tier SSCM are presented. A number of testable propositions are advanced. The main findings of the research are that rather than focusing on the ‘low hanging fruits’ of sustainability, MNCs implement proactive sustainable initiatives requiring a strategic thinking and long term significant investment by engaging their multi-tier suppliers and non-traditional supply chain members. They tend to play a leadership role in the implementation process enabled by transformational and transactional leadership styles. These MNCs applied different leadership styles and governance mechanisms on different tiers of suppliers, which render different supply chain structures in the process of supply chain learning, which includes three stages of set up, operating and sustaining. This research contributes to SSCM research in the following ways: first, it may be the first attempt that investigates multi-tier SSCM through supply chain learning and supply chain leadership angles adopting a ROT perspective. This help to explain how MNCs implement sustainable initiatives in China; second, it contributes to supply chain learning literature by differentiating supply chain learning stages and learning content in terms of focal company knowledge resources and supplier learning complexity to explain the implementation of SSCM initiatives; third, leadership at an individual level is well researched and understood but it is not the case for organisational level leadership. This research enriches our understanding of the role of organisational leadership in MNCs’ SSCM; fourth, the research contributes to multi-tier SSCM with a focus on both supply chain governance mechanisms and supply chain structure; fifth, this research extend ROT from within an organization context to supply chains and include three aspects: breadth (resource orchestration across the scope of the supply chain including both internal and external breadth); depth (resource orchestration across multi-tiers of the supply chain); and project lifecycle (resource orchestration at various stages of supply chain learning stages); finally, a complete theoretical framework is developed to tie together the constructs of supply chain learning, supply chain leadership, multi-tier SSCM with ROT. Practically, a step by step methodology, integrating the key factors affecting the implementation of SSCM initiatives including supply chain learning, supply chain leadership, multi-tier supply chain governance and supply chain structure, is proposed. The ‘best practices’ of the researched MNCs provide a feasible roadmap for these organizations to learn from.

A Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (GCS) vem sendo um tema em evidência nos dias atuais para a busca de vantagens competitivas, as quais não se limitam mais nos limites das empresas, mas sim no escopo de cadeia de suprimentos (CS), através de iniciativas interempresariais que se estendem desde controles e reposição de estoque conjuntos até uma gestão colaborativa na CS. Um dos grandes desafios na GCS é desenvolver uma coordenação da cadeia de suprimentos (CCS) que, além de atender os níveis de serviço desejados com os estoques controlados, também seja capaz de lidar com as variáveis cada vez mais complexas, buscando uma racionalização dos recursos, uma melhoria de produtos e processos e, ainda, lidar com as possíveis ameaças que afetam a vulnerabilidade da CS (VCS). O objetivo geral desta tese é propor um modelo de CCS que inclua atividades de melhoria da CS (MCS) e VCS, para assim auxiliar no desempenho da CS. A fim de alcançar o objetivo geral, foram propostos objetivos específicos, correspondentes aos quatro artigos que compõem esta tese. O primeiro artigo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura, com o propósito de identificar os métodos colaborativos mais disseminados, suas características e desafios de implementação. O segundo artigo também realizou uma revisão sistemática da literatura, mas direcionada à identificação dos métodos de otimização e melhoria em CS implementados atualmente, como e por que são implementados. O terceiro artigo realizou um aprofundamento teórico sobre VCS, entendendo seus componentes e outros elementos relacionados. Após isso, demonstrou a contribuição de métodos colaborativos para mitigá-la. O quarto artigo traz uma retomada dos achados nos três primeiros artigos e consolida os mesmos como bases conceituais para a proposição do modelo de CCS que inclui atividades de MCS e VCS. Os principais resultados da tese iniciaram por mostrar que os métodos colaborativos em CS possuem características puramente de CCS e o CPFR foi encontrado como método colaborativo mais abrangente e mais abordado na literatura pesquisada, cuja estrutura de funcionamento foi utilizada como arcabouço para o modelo de CCS proposto. A literatura mostrou a MCS com foco atualmente em melhoria contínua através do Lean Manufacturing. Outro resultado da tese foi a criação de um framework de VCS, no qual foi possível entender a VCS, seus elementos e constatar que a mesma pode ser mitigada através da utilização de métodos colaborativos. Os resultados finais da tese apresentam um modelo de CCS que inclui atividades de MCS e VCS. Essas atividades inseridas no processo de CCS permitem a identificação de oportunidades de melhoria, pontos restritivos e vulnerabilidades que, se trabalhados de acordo com as prioridades para os objetivos da CCS, podem gerar um aumento de desempenho competitivo da CS. As discussões apresentadas na presente tese mostraram a pertinência e necessidade dessas atividades para um aumento do desempenho competitivo da CS, bem como o fato dessas atividades poderem interagir com outras atividades isoladas de gestão de riscos ou melhorias dentro da CS. / Supply Chain Management (SCM) has been a theme in evidence in the present day in seeking competitive advantages, which are being sought not within the limits of companies, but in the supply chain (SC) scope, through intercompany initiatives, that extend from controls and inventory replenishment to a collaborative SCM. One of the major challenges in SCM is to develop a Supply Chain Coordination (SCC) that in addition to meeting the desired service levels with inventory levels controlled should also be able to handle the variables, increasingly complex, seeking a resource reduction, products and process improvement and also deal with possible threats to the Supply Chain Vulnerability (SCV). The overall objective of this thesis is to propose a SCC model that includes improvement activities in SC (SCI) and SCV, so as to help improve the SC performance. In order to achieve the overall goal, specific objectives have been proposed, corresponding to the four articles that make up this thesis. The first paper aimed to perform a systematic literature review in order to identify the most widespread collaborative methods, their characteristics and implementation challenges. The second paper also held a systematic literature review, but directed in identifying the optimisation and improvement methods currently implemented, how and why they are implemented. The third paper conducted a theoretical study on SCV, understanding of its components and other related elements and analyzed the contribution of collaborative methods to mitigate it. The fourth article brings a resume of the findings in the three previous papers and consolidates them as conceptual basis for the SCC model proposition that includes SCI and SCV activities. The main thesis results began to show that the SC collaborative methods have features purely as CCS and CPFR was found as most comprehensive and further discussed collaborative methods in the literature, which its operating structure was used as a framework for the proposed SCC model. The literature showed the SCI currently focusing on continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing. Another result of the thesis was to create a SCV framework in which it was possible to understand the SCV, in its entirety and find that it can be mitigated through the use of collaborative methods. The final results of the thesis presented a SCC method that includes SCI and SCV activities, which generated discussions and showed the relevance and necessity of these activities to increase the SC competitive performance. The pointed competitive performance increase is towards increasing its operating reliability, rationalize resources and improve restrictive points, linked to priorities stated during SCC process. This fact may interact with other isolated activities of risk management or improvements in the CS.

A introdução efetiva da sustentabilidade em empresas exige ações que extrapolam os limites organizacionais, abarcando o ambiente interorganizacional. Dessa maneira, as empresas deixam de ser consideradas isoladamente e passam a ser analisadas de acordo com suas cadeias de suprimentos, compostas por organizações que contribuem para o alcance dos mesmos objetivos de desempenho. Nesse sentido, uma cadeia de suprimentos é considerada mais sustentável quando insere as dimensões econômica, ambiental e social em suas operações, nas estratégias e na tomada de decisão, possuindo bons níveis de desempenho em tais dimensões. A adoção de práticas de sustentabilidade em cadeias de suprimentos pode ser analisada em um contínuo, formado por dois extremos: a resposta reativa e proativa. Nesse contexto, a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis pode ser definida como a adoção de ações, realizadas voluntariamente por empresas, com a finalidade de melhorar o desempenho ambiental e o desempenho social, além das exigências legais. A empresa proativa afirma sua preocupação e seu compromisso com a sociedade e o ambiente natural, em que está inserida. Diante dessas considerações, tem-se a premissa dessa pesquisa: a postura proativa de empresas em relação a práticas sustentáveis estimula melhor articulação com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos, o que colabora para a introdução da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a contribuição da articulação de uma empresa proativa com seus elos para a introdução da sustentabilidade na sua cadeia de suprimentos. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, distribuída em duas etapas (exploratória e descritiva), envolvendo uma empresa focal proativa e parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Ressalta-se que, em virtude da complexidade e da extensão de cadeias de suprimentos, optou-se por analisar a cadeia à montante, isto é, foram entrevistados colaboradores da empresa focal (Mercur S.A.) e de empresas fornecedoras (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; e, Artecola Química). Primeiramente, foi analisada a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur. Os resultados indicam que a Mercur pode ser considerada uma empresa proativa, em função da implantação total de 37 ações em prol da sustentabilidade ao core business da organização e da implantação parcial de seis práticas. Em segundo lugar, investigou-se a articulação e o relacionamento da empresa proativa com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Verificou-se que os entrevistados consideram que os elos estão em processo de integração. Diante disso, pode-se observar que existem diferentes níveis de articulação na cadeia de suprimentos, envolvendo a Mercur e seus fornecedores. Em seguida, averiguou-se a existência de práticas sustentáveis ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos estudada, as quais foram descritas a partir de cinco categorias de análise (orientação estratégica, continuidade da cadeia de suprimentos, colaboração, gestão de risco, proatividade). Incentivos foram identificados para que práticas pró-sustentabilidade passem a ser concebidas e implantadas por todos os membros da cadeia, colaborando para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável. Nessa perspectiva, diante dos resultados encontrados, assume-se que a premissa de pesquisa foi confirmada, uma vez que a postura proativa de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur estimula maior articulação com os parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos, contribuindo para a inserção da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. Entretanto, a articulação da Mercur com os parceiros também pode incentivar que posturas proativas em benefício da sustentabilidade sejam incorporadas pelas empresas da cadeia de suprimentos. / The effective introduction of sustainability in business requires actions that go beyond organizational boundaries, encompassing the inter-organizational environment. Thus, companies are no longer considered individually; they are analyzed according to their supply chains, composed by organizations that contribute to the achievement of the same performance goals. A supply chain is considered more sustainable when it enters the economic, environmental and social dimensions in their operations, strategies and decision making, possessing good levels of performance on these dimensions. The incorporation of sustainability practices in supply chain can be analyzed in a continuous, formed by two extremes: reactive and proactive response. The sustainable proactivity can be defined as the adoption of actions, performed voluntarily by companies, in order to improve the environmental and social performance beyond legal requirements. A proactive company states its concern and commitment to society and the natural environment in which it operates. Given these considerations, this research premise is: the proactive approach of companies towards sustainable practices encourages better integration with the partners in their supply chain, which contributes to the incorporation of sustainability in the supply chain. In this context, this research aims to analyze the contribution of proactive company integration with its partners to the introduction of sustainability in their supply chain. Therefore, a qualitative research was performed, composed by two phases (exploratory and descriptive), involving a proactive focal company and its supply chain partners. It is emphasized that, because of the complexity and the extent of supply chains, we chose to analyze the upstream chain, i.e., focal company (Mercur S.A.) and supplier firms (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; and Artecola Química). The employees of these companies were interviewed. First, it was analyzed the proactivity of sustainable practices of Mercur. The results indicate that Mercur can be considered a proactive company, due to the full adoption of 37 actions for sustainability in the core business of the organization and the partial implementation of six practices. Secondly, it was investigated the integration and the relationship of a proactive company with its supply chain partners. It was found that the interviewees consider that the supply chain is in process of a complete integration. Thus, it can be observed that there are different levels of integration in the supply chain, involving the Mercur and their suppliers. Thirdly, it was examined the existence of sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. These practices were described considering five categories of analysis (strategic orientation, supply chain continuity, collaboration, risk management, and proactivity). Incentives were identified for the design and the implementation of sustainable practices by all supply chain members, contributing to a more sustainable development. From this perspective, given the results, it is assumed that the research premise was confirmed, since the proactive sustainable practices Mercur encourages greater integration with partners in the supply chain, contributing to the sustainable supply chain. However, the integration of Mercur with partners can also encourage that proactive practices in favor of sustainability be incorporated in the supply chain.

A Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (GCS) vem sendo um tema em evidência nos dias atuais para a busca de vantagens competitivas, as quais não se limitam mais nos limites das empresas, mas sim no escopo de cadeia de suprimentos (CS), através de iniciativas interempresariais que se estendem desde controles e reposição de estoque conjuntos até uma gestão colaborativa na CS. Um dos grandes desafios na GCS é desenvolver uma coordenação da cadeia de suprimentos (CCS) que, além de atender os níveis de serviço desejados com os estoques controlados, também seja capaz de lidar com as variáveis cada vez mais complexas, buscando uma racionalização dos recursos, uma melhoria de produtos e processos e, ainda, lidar com as possíveis ameaças que afetam a vulnerabilidade da CS (VCS). O objetivo geral desta tese é propor um modelo de CCS que inclua atividades de melhoria da CS (MCS) e VCS, para assim auxiliar no desempenho da CS. A fim de alcançar o objetivo geral, foram propostos objetivos específicos, correspondentes aos quatro artigos que compõem esta tese. O primeiro artigo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura, com o propósito de identificar os métodos colaborativos mais disseminados, suas características e desafios de implementação. O segundo artigo também realizou uma revisão sistemática da literatura, mas direcionada à identificação dos métodos de otimização e melhoria em CS implementados atualmente, como e por que são implementados. O terceiro artigo realizou um aprofundamento teórico sobre VCS, entendendo seus componentes e outros elementos relacionados. Após isso, demonstrou a contribuição de métodos colaborativos para mitigá-la. O quarto artigo traz uma retomada dos achados nos três primeiros artigos e consolida os mesmos como bases conceituais para a proposição do modelo de CCS que inclui atividades de MCS e VCS. Os principais resultados da tese iniciaram por mostrar que os métodos colaborativos em CS possuem características puramente de CCS e o CPFR foi encontrado como método colaborativo mais abrangente e mais abordado na literatura pesquisada, cuja estrutura de funcionamento foi utilizada como arcabouço para o modelo de CCS proposto. A literatura mostrou a MCS com foco atualmente em melhoria contínua através do Lean Manufacturing. Outro resultado da tese foi a criação de um framework de VCS, no qual foi possível entender a VCS, seus elementos e constatar que a mesma pode ser mitigada através da utilização de métodos colaborativos. Os resultados finais da tese apresentam um modelo de CCS que inclui atividades de MCS e VCS. Essas atividades inseridas no processo de CCS permitem a identificação de oportunidades de melhoria, pontos restritivos e vulnerabilidades que, se trabalhados de acordo com as prioridades para os objetivos da CCS, podem gerar um aumento de desempenho competitivo da CS. As discussões apresentadas na presente tese mostraram a pertinência e necessidade dessas atividades para um aumento do desempenho competitivo da CS, bem como o fato dessas atividades poderem interagir com outras atividades isoladas de gestão de riscos ou melhorias dentro da CS. / Supply Chain Management (SCM) has been a theme in evidence in the present day in seeking competitive advantages, which are being sought not within the limits of companies, but in the supply chain (SC) scope, through intercompany initiatives, that extend from controls and inventory replenishment to a collaborative SCM. One of the major challenges in SCM is to develop a Supply Chain Coordination (SCC) that in addition to meeting the desired service levels with inventory levels controlled should also be able to handle the variables, increasingly complex, seeking a resource reduction, products and process improvement and also deal with possible threats to the Supply Chain Vulnerability (SCV). The overall objective of this thesis is to propose a SCC model that includes improvement activities in SC (SCI) and SCV, so as to help improve the SC performance. In order to achieve the overall goal, specific objectives have been proposed, corresponding to the four articles that make up this thesis. The first paper aimed to perform a systematic literature review in order to identify the most widespread collaborative methods, their characteristics and implementation challenges. The second paper also held a systematic literature review, but directed in identifying the optimisation and improvement methods currently implemented, how and why they are implemented. The third paper conducted a theoretical study on SCV, understanding of its components and other related elements and analyzed the contribution of collaborative methods to mitigate it. The fourth article brings a resume of the findings in the three previous papers and consolidates them as conceptual basis for the SCC model proposition that includes SCI and SCV activities. The main thesis results began to show that the SC collaborative methods have features purely as CCS and CPFR was found as most comprehensive and further discussed collaborative methods in the literature, which its operating structure was used as a framework for the proposed SCC model. The literature showed the SCI currently focusing on continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing. Another result of the thesis was to create a SCV framework in which it was possible to understand the SCV, in its entirety and find that it can be mitigated through the use of collaborative methods. The final results of the thesis presented a SCC method that includes SCI and SCV activities, which generated discussions and showed the relevance and necessity of these activities to increase the SC competitive performance. The pointed competitive performance increase is towards increasing its operating reliability, rationalize resources and improve restrictive points, linked to priorities stated during SCC process. This fact may interact with other isolated activities of risk management or improvements in the CS.

Abstract Agility – namely, the ability of a supply chain to rapidly respond to changes in market and customer demands – is regarded as the bearer of competitive advantage in today's business world. The need for agility has traditionally been associated with supply chains in high technology industry products. However, traditional industries also face similar challenges in terms of speed, flexibility, increased product diversity and customization. This study contributes to the discussion on agility in supply chain management (SCM) and provides a novel focus on the development of an agile supply chain in a traditional industry. The object of this study is the development of an agile supply chain in a steel product network in the Raahe area in Northern Finland. The case network is undergoing a shift towards project-oriented business, where quick responses are the priority and agility is recognised as the facilitating factor. Using a constructive approach, an agile supply chain for a steel product network, SteelNet system, is developed. SteelNet system functions through the Internet and agent software technology. In identifying the new challenges raised by advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development of an agile supply chain, the study presents some valuable ICT options for SCM. Following a review of the current understanding of agility in SCM literature, the study identifies the key elements of agile supply chains and proposes a four-dimensional agile supply chain framework by which to assess levels of agility. Using the framework, the study describes how the key elements appear in the case network. The study assesses the change process, and the necessary improvement steps, towards agility. It is concluded that agile supply chains have a major role also in traditional industry, and comprehensive implementation of ICT throughout the chain is of utmost importance in the development of an agile supply chain. Further insights to the discussion on agility are provided, and these and the conclusions extend a drawbridge to other companies and business networks in traditional industry to consider the clear advantages to developing their own agile supply chains.

Abstract Information integration – sharing of pertinent information between supply chain members – is vital to cope with the uncertainty and complexity embedded in service supply chains. The aim of this study is to understand the meaning, constituents, extent, and development means of information integration in service supply chain context. The research approach is abductive, emphasising the constant interplay between theory development and empirical observations. Analysis on a single case supply chain consisting of two types of maintenance service providers and a large steel manufacturer as the focal company is provided. A comprehensive conceptual framework for analysing and developing information integration in service supply chain is presented and applied in the case supply chain. Extent of integration is described through three levels of integration. Six information integration elements are used to define the levels: processes and activities, information technology use, information attributes, information sharing practices, collaborative foundation, and time-related issues. Service/market characteristics and supply chain relationship characteristics are deployed in explaining the differences in levels of integration. Depending on the level of integration, the performance effects sought and achieved through developing information integration range from operational to strategic level. Adopting a more structured approach to information integration in the case supply chain is suggested to address development areas in information sharing and improve performance. This can be implemented through a shared centralised maintenance information system, common procedures for information sharing, and commitment of supply chain actors. The framework in this study offers guidelines for choosing the appropriate level of integration in a service supply chain dyad. It shows that the special characteristics of service context can be deployed in designing and managing service supply chains. Service providers should be integrated to the supply chain just like other supply chain members, as it contributes to the supply chain performance. Differentiating the level of integration in service supply chain dyads within a supply chain based on the contextual setting is recommended. This study paves the way for better understanding and control of service supply chain links and contributes to the scarce empirical research on service supply chains.

A introdução efetiva da sustentabilidade em empresas exige ações que extrapolam os limites organizacionais, abarcando o ambiente interorganizacional. Dessa maneira, as empresas deixam de ser consideradas isoladamente e passam a ser analisadas de acordo com suas cadeias de suprimentos, compostas por organizações que contribuem para o alcance dos mesmos objetivos de desempenho. Nesse sentido, uma cadeia de suprimentos é considerada mais sustentável quando insere as dimensões econômica, ambiental e social em suas operações, nas estratégias e na tomada de decisão, possuindo bons níveis de desempenho em tais dimensões. A adoção de práticas de sustentabilidade em cadeias de suprimentos pode ser analisada em um contínuo, formado por dois extremos: a resposta reativa e proativa. Nesse contexto, a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis pode ser definida como a adoção de ações, realizadas voluntariamente por empresas, com a finalidade de melhorar o desempenho ambiental e o desempenho social, além das exigências legais. A empresa proativa afirma sua preocupação e seu compromisso com a sociedade e o ambiente natural, em que está inserida. Diante dessas considerações, tem-se a premissa dessa pesquisa: a postura proativa de empresas em relação a práticas sustentáveis estimula melhor articulação com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos, o que colabora para a introdução da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a contribuição da articulação de uma empresa proativa com seus elos para a introdução da sustentabilidade na sua cadeia de suprimentos. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, distribuída em duas etapas (exploratória e descritiva), envolvendo uma empresa focal proativa e parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Ressalta-se que, em virtude da complexidade e da extensão de cadeias de suprimentos, optou-se por analisar a cadeia à montante, isto é, foram entrevistados colaboradores da empresa focal (Mercur S.A.) e de empresas fornecedoras (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; e, Artecola Química). Primeiramente, foi analisada a proatividade de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur. Os resultados indicam que a Mercur pode ser considerada uma empresa proativa, em função da implantação total de 37 ações em prol da sustentabilidade ao core business da organização e da implantação parcial de seis práticas. Em segundo lugar, investigou-se a articulação e o relacionamento da empresa proativa com os elos de sua cadeia de suprimentos. Verificou-se que os entrevistados consideram que os elos estão em processo de integração. Diante disso, pode-se observar que existem diferentes níveis de articulação na cadeia de suprimentos, envolvendo a Mercur e seus fornecedores. Em seguida, averiguou-se a existência de práticas sustentáveis ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos estudada, as quais foram descritas a partir de cinco categorias de análise (orientação estratégica, continuidade da cadeia de suprimentos, colaboração, gestão de risco, proatividade). Incentivos foram identificados para que práticas pró-sustentabilidade passem a ser concebidas e implantadas por todos os membros da cadeia, colaborando para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável. Nessa perspectiva, diante dos resultados encontrados, assume-se que a premissa de pesquisa foi confirmada, uma vez que a postura proativa de práticas sustentáveis da Mercur estimula maior articulação com os parceiros de sua cadeia de suprimentos, contribuindo para a inserção da sustentabilidade nessa cadeia. Entretanto, a articulação da Mercur com os parceiros também pode incentivar que posturas proativas em benefício da sustentabilidade sejam incorporadas pelas empresas da cadeia de suprimentos. / The effective introduction of sustainability in business requires actions that go beyond organizational boundaries, encompassing the inter-organizational environment. Thus, companies are no longer considered individually; they are analyzed according to their supply chains, composed by organizations that contribute to the achievement of the same performance goals. A supply chain is considered more sustainable when it enters the economic, environmental and social dimensions in their operations, strategies and decision making, possessing good levels of performance on these dimensions. The incorporation of sustainability practices in supply chain can be analyzed in a continuous, formed by two extremes: reactive and proactive response. The sustainable proactivity can be defined as the adoption of actions, performed voluntarily by companies, in order to improve the environmental and social performance beyond legal requirements. A proactive company states its concern and commitment to society and the natural environment in which it operates. Given these considerations, this research premise is: the proactive approach of companies towards sustainable practices encourages better integration with the partners in their supply chain, which contributes to the incorporation of sustainability in the supply chain. In this context, this research aims to analyze the contribution of proactive company integration with its partners to the introduction of sustainability in their supply chain. Therefore, a qualitative research was performed, composed by two phases (exploratory and descriptive), involving a proactive focal company and its supply chain partners. It is emphasized that, because of the complexity and the extent of supply chains, we chose to analyze the upstream chain, i.e., focal company (Mercur S.A.) and supplier firms (LKC Transportes; PAMF Indústria e Comércio de Confecções; Caeté Embalagens; and Artecola Química). The employees of these companies were interviewed. First, it was analyzed the proactivity of sustainable practices of Mercur. The results indicate that Mercur can be considered a proactive company, due to the full adoption of 37 actions for sustainability in the core business of the organization and the partial implementation of six practices. Secondly, it was investigated the integration and the relationship of a proactive company with its supply chain partners. It was found that the interviewees consider that the supply chain is in process of a complete integration. Thus, it can be observed that there are different levels of integration in the supply chain, involving the Mercur and their suppliers. Thirdly, it was examined the existence of sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. These practices were described considering five categories of analysis (strategic orientation, supply chain continuity, collaboration, risk management, and proactivity). Incentives were identified for the design and the implementation of sustainable practices by all supply chain members, contributing to a more sustainable development. From this perspective, given the results, it is assumed that the research premise was confirmed, since the proactive sustainable practices Mercur encourages greater integration with partners in the supply chain, contributing to the sustainable supply chain. However, the integration of Mercur with partners can also encourage that proactive practices in favor of sustainability be incorporated in the supply chain.

Supply chains have become increasingly unstable due to unanticipated disruptive events, which undermines a firm's capacity to achieve a competitive market advantage and increase profitability. The disruption of a supply chain is essential to supply chain managers, as the interruption can be expensive, and the goods and services lost can negatively affect the entire supply chain. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that manufacturing firm managers use to mitigate supply chain disruptions to remain profitable. The population consisted of 4 supply chain managers from 2 manufacturing firms located in the southern region of eastern Virginia. The conceptual framework for this study was the contingency theory of fit. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, company documents, and publicly available information. Based on the thematic data analysis, 3 emergent themes developed as collaboration and information sharing, information technology and supply chain risk, and use of multiple suppliers. The implications for positive social change include potential increased employment opportunities and salaries, investments in community projects, and enhanced consumer spending in the local community, thereby raising the standard of living and social well-being of local community residents.