Exploring the Role of Stakeholder Collaboration in Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This qualitative study delves into the pivotal role of stakeholder collaboration in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), aiming to elucidate the mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities inherent in collaborative sustainability efforts within supply chains. Through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from diverse industries and sectors, the research explores stakeholders' perspectives, experiences, and practices related to collaboration in SSCM. The findings underscore the critical importance of collaboration in driving sustainability goals within supply chains, facilitating trust, transparency, and mutual understanding among stakeholders. Despite its recognized significance, the study identifies challenges and barriers to effective collaboration, including divergent interests, power imbalances, resource constraints, and communication barriers. Moreover, the study highlights the role of technological advancements and collaborative platforms in enhancing stakeholder collaboration in SSCM, providing tools and resources to enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability within supply chains. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of regulatory frameworks and industry standards in shaping collaborative sustainability efforts within supply chains, providing guidelines and incentives for organizations to adopt sustainable practices and collaborate with stakeholders. Overall, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of stakeholder collaboration in SSCM and offers insights for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry stakeholders seeking to harness collaborative approaches to advance sustainability goals and create value for all stakeholders involved.