Socially responsible purchasing in food industry
Silvola, Riikka (2017)
Silvola, Riikka
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201704205025
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201704205025
Tiivistelmä
Due to globalization and consumers’ responsible purchasing behaviour, companies are experiencing an increased pressure to act responsibly at every level of their value chain. Finnish food sector has faced pressure from stakeholders to provide transparency on the sources and operations related to their products. Globally operating Finnish food companies acquire raw materials from all over the world, social quality control is an essential part of the purchasing work and risk management associated with import purchases. Companies are asked about the social profile of their suppliers and how they treat their workers and communities in which they operate. In the globalised world, it is becoming more and more obvious that besides managing own social and environmental impacts, companies need to manage supply chain, since suppliers’ performances affect the buying organisation’s performance and reputation.
This research was carried out in the form of face-to-face interview. Two Case companies that operate in Finnish food sector were interviewed for the research. The aim was to find what problems are associated with the implementation of socially responsible procurement and what factors motivate firms to purchase responsibly. The results of a study show that both Case companies have similar problems, as well as motivators. Companies’ own inner motivation as well as responding to expectations of stakeholders are the main motivators for responsible sourcing. The most common problem area in responsible sourcing is traceability of the raw materials which is mainly due to long supply chains. Complexity of the supply chains also complicate monitoring of human right issues in countries of origin. The results have similarities to what previous scientific studies have found.
This research was carried out in the form of face-to-face interview. Two Case companies that operate in Finnish food sector were interviewed for the research. The aim was to find what problems are associated with the implementation of socially responsible procurement and what factors motivate firms to purchase responsibly. The results of a study show that both Case companies have similar problems, as well as motivators. Companies’ own inner motivation as well as responding to expectations of stakeholders are the main motivators for responsible sourcing. The most common problem area in responsible sourcing is traceability of the raw materials which is mainly due to long supply chains. Complexity of the supply chains also complicate monitoring of human right issues in countries of origin. The results have similarities to what previous scientific studies have found.