Unsustainable supply chain of sustainable food companies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose - This study aims to investigate the sustainable food companies within the scope of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). It also aims to reveal what are the challenges food companies face in their sustainable supply chains. In addition, it is aimed to show which points should be focused on in sustainable supply chain management. Methodology - For this purpose, sustainability pages on the corporate website of 30 food companies operating in Turkey were analyzed with content analysis by adopting a qualitative research paradigm and an interpretive framework. While analyzing the contents, first of all, it was investigated at which dimensions the food companies attach importance to in the Triple Bottom Line approach. Secondly, the elements that food companies pay attention to while they integrate the supply chain into their sustainability practices were examined. Lastly, it was analyzed in which dimension of the sustainable supply chain management the food companies are located. Findings - The findings of the study indicated that 23 of the food companies were found to be sustainable businesses according to the Triple Bottom Line approach. However, it was demonstrated that the same companies could not provide sustainability in supply chain management. In this sense, it was understood that one of the biggest reasons for this is that companies ignore the concept of “risk management”. Conclusion - As a result, the points that food companies have difficulty in sustainable supply chain management have been revealed. With this study, practical contributions were provided to the companies in terms of enabling them to evaluate themselves on this issue. In addition to this, the study also contributes to the field by building on the studies investigating sustainable supply chain management and providing a different perspective with the investigation of the issue from a TBL approach.