Purpose: This work aims to study, applying the lens of panarchy theory, how the planetary and the political-economic levels affect the supply chain within-level linkages for sustainability. Furthermore, the difference in how these cross-level linkages influence focal firms and first-tier suppliers is explored. Design/methodology/approach: This study builds on the panarchy theory by viewing the supply chain as a socio-ecological system and further expands it by considering the within-level linkages internal to the supply chain level. Three types of linkages are considered: the two cross-level and the supply chain within-level linkages. The research questions are addressed using the data gathered by the Carbon Disclosure Project within its Supply Chain Program. Findings: The results show that considering the planetary-supply chain linkage, climate change risk exposure is likelier to foster within-level linkages with buyers than suppliers. Further, climate change mitigation investments have different roles in the different tiers: focal firms are pushed to strengthen the linkages with their suppliers when they lose efficacy in improving their carbon performance, whereas first-tier suppliers exploit investments to gain legitimacy. Discussing the political-economic level effect, perceptions from first-tier suppliers could be two-fold: they could perceive a mandating power mechanism or exploit policymakers’ knowledge to advance their capabilities. Originality/value: The results contribute to the sustainable supply chain management literature by providing empirical evidence of the cross-level linkages theorised by the panarchy theory. Moreover, the concept of within-level linkages is proposed to apply the theory in this field.

(2024). Panarchy theory: myth or reality? Empirical evidence of the socio-ecological nature of supply chains [journal article - articolo]. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10446/274909

Panarchy theory: myth or reality? Empirical evidence of the socio-ecological nature of supply chains

Madonna, Alice;Boffelli, Albachiara;Kalchschmidt, Matteo
2024-05-28

Abstract

Purpose: This work aims to study, applying the lens of panarchy theory, how the planetary and the political-economic levels affect the supply chain within-level linkages for sustainability. Furthermore, the difference in how these cross-level linkages influence focal firms and first-tier suppliers is explored. Design/methodology/approach: This study builds on the panarchy theory by viewing the supply chain as a socio-ecological system and further expands it by considering the within-level linkages internal to the supply chain level. Three types of linkages are considered: the two cross-level and the supply chain within-level linkages. The research questions are addressed using the data gathered by the Carbon Disclosure Project within its Supply Chain Program. Findings: The results show that considering the planetary-supply chain linkage, climate change risk exposure is likelier to foster within-level linkages with buyers than suppliers. Further, climate change mitigation investments have different roles in the different tiers: focal firms are pushed to strengthen the linkages with their suppliers when they lose efficacy in improving their carbon performance, whereas first-tier suppliers exploit investments to gain legitimacy. Discussing the political-economic level effect, perceptions from first-tier suppliers could be two-fold: they could perceive a mandating power mechanism or exploit policymakers’ knowledge to advance their capabilities. Originality/value: The results contribute to the sustainable supply chain management literature by providing empirical evidence of the cross-level linkages theorised by the panarchy theory. Moreover, the concept of within-level linkages is proposed to apply the theory in this field.
articolo
28-mag-2024
Madonna, Alice; Boffelli, Albachiara; Kalchschmidt, Matteo Giacomo Maria
(2024). Panarchy theory: myth or reality? Empirical evidence of the socio-ecological nature of supply chains [journal article - articolo]. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10446/274909
File allegato/i alla scheda:
File Dimensione del file Formato  
Madonna-2024-Panarchy-theory-myth-or-reality-e.pdf

accesso aperto

Versione: publisher's version - versione editoriale
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione del file 1.25 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.25 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Aisberg ©2008 Servizi bibliotecari, Università degli studi di Bergamo | Terms of use/Condizioni di utilizzo

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10446/274909
Citazioni
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
social impact