The role of fairness in multi-tier sustainable supply chains

Abstract

Fairness is an important topic that forms part of an organisation’s sustainability practice and agenda, particularly from a social dimension. However, past studies have rarely considered the role of fairness as a driver of sustainability in multi-tier supply chains. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it examines the impact of fairness perceptions on the relationship between multi-tier supply chain partners. Second, it investigates the dynamics of on-going fairness formations in different stages of the vibrant multi-tier supply chain relationship development process. These gaps have been addressed by reporting the findings of qualitative research. Primary data were obtained from 18 procurement and supply practitioners of buying firms and their top tier-1 & 2 suppliers. Findings show that fairness perceptions have an impact on collaborative activities between multi-tier supply chain partners. These collaborative responses such as information sharing, joint relationship effort, and dedicated investment can also impact critical aspects of the multi-tier supply chain relationship such as trust, commitment, satisfaction, and conflict resolution. The findings show that multi-tier supply chain partners have different expectations but usually evaluate fairness at the review phase of the relationship development process. These considerations offer theoretical and practical guidance towards the advancement of sustainable multi-tier supply chain relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainable supply chains
• fairness perceptions
• multi-tier supply chain relationship
• relationship development
• social exchange theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adegboyega Oyedijo

Adegboyega Oyedijo is an Assistant Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Hull University Business School, The University of Hull, U.K. His research considers relevant topics such as Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Relationship Management, Supply Chain Collaboration, Humanitarian Logistics, and Business issues in Africa. He has published in journals such as Supply Chain Management: An International Journal and Employee Relations: The International Journal. He is a Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional (Chartered MCIPS) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Ying Yang

Ying Yang is a Senior Lecturer in Operations Management at Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle University, U.K. She received her PhD in Operations Management from the University of Ulster, U.K. Her research interests lie in Operations strategy, Supply Chain Management and Business service. She has published in journals such as The International Journal of Production Research, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Production Planning and Control, International Journal of Logistics Management, and International Journal of Production Economics.

Adebayo Serge Francois Koukpaki

Adebayo Serge Francois Koukpaki is a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI), and Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Chartered MCIPD). His research interests are in Strategic Leadership, Human Resource Management, Performance Management, and Knowledge Management. He has published in outlets such as Employee Relations: The International Journal, European Journal of Training and Development, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Critical perspectives on international business, International Journal of Knowledge and Systems Science, and Advances in Developing Human Resources.

Nishikant Mishra

Nishikant Mishra received his PhD from the University of Nottingham. Prior to joining The University of Hull, he was Director of Postgraduate Research and Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management at Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia. He has also worked as a Director of Research at Aberystwyth Business School, Aberystwyth University, and Associate Director of Research and Enterprise at Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia. He has published more than 60 papers in leading international journals and conferences.