How would you persuade a potential supplier to "take" the sustainable alternative?
Instead of using the conventional, safe and "traditional" way? Especially concercing the digitization and potential solutions in this field.
How do you produce the myth-enshrouded "aha-effect"? :)
I really would like to read your ideas or discuss further methods.
Sustainability is the key driver to innovation. The conventional - "traditional" way will collapse, and companies will have to develop innovative solutions. Suppliers and other stakeholders will eventually adapt to the new age where sustainability = innovation = progress = profit.
To furtherly persuade a potential supplier to move towards this direction you can just give the example of many modern companies that showcase sustainability applications; and the more they are adopting this philosophy, the more they increase their competitiveness. Many suppliers believe that such implementations will add to costs and will not deliver immediate financial benefits. All they need to see is live examples of US and European companies where, by making their operations sustainable (sustainable procedures and products) place them at an economic advantage amongst "traditional" ones. Suppliers that seek sustainable manufacturing will of course demand new equipment and processes but they should expect that customers will pay more for eco-friendly products. They must not treat the need to become sustainable as a corporate social responsibility, but directly link it to business objectives.
Hi Janis,
Especially during the last decade, companies in many parts of the world have really started to recognize the necessity of building capabilities for doing sustainable business to ensure competitiveness and survival on increasingly sustainability-driven markets. The driving forces can be boiled down to a matter of smart risk management: continuing with the "traditional way" comes with threats in terms of, for example, reputational damage, legislative change, inability to attract talented workforce, not meeting shifting customer needs, etc. Working proactively and strategically with sustainability aspects can instead help companies exploit opportunities in relation to such risks. We have done quite a bit of research on how companies can be supported in the transition towards sustainability, I attach some links below:
Conference Paper Challenges and Preconditions to Build Capabilities for Susta...
Article Company Risk Management in Light of the Sustainability Transition
Conference Paper Challenges and Preconditions to Build Capabilities for Susta...
You may also want to look at the work by Bob Willard around the business benefits of sustainability, or the Future-Fit-Business-Benchmark:
https://futurefitbusiness.org/
Or the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) that can support work with sustainability in a way that contributes to society's transition towards sustainability while benefiting the own organization.
Article A Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development
Hope that is helpful!
Take care.
Jesko
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