LAUSR

Fragmented supply networks involving a number of actors in the production and distribution of products and services are increasingly common. However, research on sustainability has so far not sufficiently addressed the question how to deliver sustainability strategies and practices across fragmented supply networks. In particular, existing research on sustainability in supply networks does rarely adopt a systemic perspective. Consequently, we know little about the ability of organisations to address the competing priorities characteristic for supply networks spanning organisational, cultural and geographical borders. This special issue contends that network dynamics can be transformative in how organisations address sustainability challenges. The series of papers in the special issue study novel approaches to sustainability adopting multi-stakeholders/multi-perspective approaches. Each of the papers presents specific examples of the issues arising in fragmented supply networks and outlines context-appropriate responses that can help overcome such fragmentation. In this introduction section, we propose a conceptual framework that integrates the key drivers or inhibitors of sustainable perspectives, practices, and metrics in supply chains. The model has implications for both theoretical research and organizational practice on sustainability in supply networks.