Can the SDGs Provide a Basis for Supply Chain Decisions in the Construction Sector?

Russell, Erica, Lee, Jacquetta and Clift, Roland (2018) Can the SDGs Provide a Basis for Supply Chain Decisions in the Construction Sector? Sustainability, 10 (3), 629.

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Abstract

The Construction sector is characterised by complex supply networks delivering unique end products over short time scales. Sustainability has increased in importance but continues to be difficult to implement in this sector; thus, new approaches and practices are needed. This paper reports an empirical investigation into the value of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG12), when used as a framework for action by organisations to drive change towards sustainability in global supply networks. Through inductive research, two different and contrasting approaches to improving the sustainability of supply networks have been revealed. One approach focuses on the “bottom up” ethical approach typified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of timber products, and the other on “top-down” regulations exemplified by the UK Modern Slavery Act. In an industry noted for complex supply networks and characterised by adversarial relationships, the findings suggest that, in the long term, promoting shared values aligned with transparent, third-party monitoring will be more effective than imposing standards through legislation and regulation in supporting sustainable consumption and production.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions :	Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences > Centre for Environmental Strategy
Authors :	Name Email ORCID Russell, Erica e.f.russell@surrey.ac.uk Lee, Jacquetta J.Lee@surrey.ac.uk Clift, Roland R.Clift@surrey.ac.uk
Date :	28 February 2018
Identification Number :	10.3390/su10030629
Copyright Disclaimer :	© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Uncontrolled Keywords :	SDGs; construction; supply networks; sustainability; FSC; modern slavery
Additional Information :	This article belongs to the Special Issue "Sustainable Construction"
Depositing User :	Melanie Hughes
Date Deposited :	28 Feb 2018 10:54
Last Modified :	30 May 2018 11:02
URI:	http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/id/eprint/845914

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