Institutional and Capability Perspectives on Sustainability in Operations and Supply Management

: A Dual Theoretic Analysis of the UK Fashion Sector

Abstract

Despite growing interest in sustainable operations and supply management (SOSM) from both academics and practitioners, literature examining the area remains fragmented. This thesis presents the findings of a study investigating the influence of exogenous pressures and endogenous capability-building, independently and interactively, on sustainable operations and supply management practice adoption. Exogenous pressures, such as regulation and consumer demands, may influence the decision to adopt specific SOSM practices. For example, within the fashion industry, media exposés have heightened consumer awareness of unethical practices creating pressure for fashion retailers to address these concerns within their supply chains morefully. Endogenous pressures, in this case relating to capability-building, may also influence the SOSM practices that organisations choose to adopt, such as the implementation of recycling strategies or energy efficiency initiatives which can reduce both the cost and environmental impact of the focal organisation.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Michael Lewis (Supervisor), Sinead Roden (Supervisor) & Rachel Worth (Supervisor)