Implementation of Sustainability Standard into Commodity Supply Chain Networks: A Processual Case Approach

This paper investigates the process of implementing sustainability standard into shea butter supply chain networks. Using an exploratory processual case study methodology informed by Pettigrew Contextual Approach. In this paper a conceptual model was developed using the relationship among the external actors to investigate the contextual factors that support or obstruct the implementation process over a period of time. The findings suggest that the standard setting organizations are the pace-setters for the other external actors in the implementation process, while contextual factors related to socio-cultural context, historical context and political context are responsible for the slow implementation process in the supply chain networks. Research implication for the study was presented together with contributions and conclusion

Shea Kernel Supply Chain and Suppliers Relationships in Rural Borgu,Niger State, Nigeria

This paper explores the roles of strong suppliers in shea kernel supply chains and the impact of their roles on the livelihood of weak suppliers (rural women) who are engaged in shea nut picking and processing. In the last few years, the media recognised that the Nigerian shea butter industry is not fully regulated, and it is confronted with a lot of sustainability challenges. While there is a call on the relevant stakeholders to take responsible action such as public enlightenment and reshaping of the supply chain network. The mechanisms that supports and create connections for actors involved in the supply chain is not very clear and as such the measures taken by the stakeholders to curb the menace seems not to hit the target. Furthermore, the negative effect of these activities on the weak suppliers seems to be greatly ignored. Therefore, studying the relationships between the strong and weak suppliers defines the specific roles of actors involved in shea kernel trade: More specifically, the local buying agents (LBAs) who create and hold the link to the broader domestic and export supply chain are studied

An Investigation of Socially Sustainable Behaviour of Local Players in the Supply Chain of Shea Butter in Rural Borgu Nigeria: From a Role Theory Perspective

The Shea butter industry in Nigeria is fragmented, private-driven and less regulated. This paper explores the roles, practices, and behaviour of local supply chain stakeholders who mainly consist of rural women entrepreneurs that engage in Shea nut picking and Shea butter processing. Also, the research examines the local buying agents (LBA) who serve as the middlemen between the rural women and the exporters of Shea butter. This study deploys qualitative research design, guided by the Role theory. The study reveals that the rural women and the local buying agents are the key stakeholders who participate in the agricultural supply chain. Granting the fundamental principle of the sustainable supply chain, the findings indicate that the present active engagement and practices of these local stakeholders do not align with the principles of the sustainable supply chain. The study also exposes that factors such as gender disparity, weak access to financial support, and information asymmetry are major contributors to the present roles, practices, and behaviour of the local actors. The current study, therefore, put forward several recommendations to the Nigerian Government to encourage the construction of sustainable engagement and sustainable supply chain in the rural supply chain networ

Investigating socially sustainable behaviour of local players in the supply chain of shea butter in rural Borgu, Nigeria: from a role theory perspective

The Shea butter industry in Nigeria is fragmented, private-driven and less regulated. This paper explores the roles, practices, and behaviour of local supply chain stakeholders who mainly consist of rural women entrepreneurs that engage in Shea nut picking and Shea butter processing. Also, the research examines the local buying agents (LBA) who serve as the middlemen between the rural women and the exporters of Shea butter. This study deploys qualitative research design, guided by the Role theory. The study reveals that the rural women and the local buying agents are the key stakeholders who participate in the agricultural supply chain. Granting the fundamental principle of the sustainable supply chain, the findings indicate that the present active engagement and practices of these local stakeholders do not align with the principles of the sustainable supply chain. The study also exposes that factors such as gender disparity, weak access to financial support, and information asymmetry are major contributors to the present roles, practices, and behaviour of the local actors. The current study, therefore, put forward several recommendations to the Nigerian Government to encourage the construction of sustainable engagement and sustainable supply chain in the rural supply chain network

Rural Women Entrepreneurs Enrolment into Sustainable Supply Chain Networks: From Actor Network Theory Perspective

Rural women entrepreneurs in the West African sub-region are focal actors at the bottom of many commodity supply chains. The positions that they occupy in supply chain are susceptible to many forms of sustainability challenges that can obstruct and discourage them from efficiently participating in global supply chains. Despite the critical role of rural women entrepreneurs in the West African sub-region has been acknowledged by many, yet the majority of them have not been participated in responsible and sustainable supply chains. In view of these issues, multi-stakeholders are required to collaborate and intervene by developing processes of enrolling rural women entrepreneurs into sustainable supply chain networks. This study presents a case study related to an exploration of the enrolment process utilizing the four moments of translation of the Actor Network Theory (ANT) in the context of the shea butter industry with a cross-border supply chain network. The research found that the enrolment process is shaped by the collaborative relationships within the external context which comprises of several influential stakeholders. Sustainability standards are found to have great potential to serve as an obligatory passage point to transmit sustainability principles to the women within and outside the traditional supply chain networks