Advancing Supply Chain Sustainability Through Technology

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In today’s world, sustainability is more than simply a term. There is growing pressure from investors and new regulatory regulations, as well as consumers who are becoming more conscious of the environmental effect that businesses have. As a result, it is an essential component of business that every company has to focus. Considering that environmental factors are responsible for 24 percent of all fatalities that are thought to have occurred, this issue receives a great deal of attention.

There are several challenges that businesses must overcome in order to successfully manage sustainability. These challenges include the availability of data, the complexity of data and systems, extensive supply chain networks, and teams that have a tendency to operate in silos and rely on tribal knowledge.

The management of data is one of the most significant issues that businesses are now facing in terms of sustainability (this is true even among those people who have been on the path to sustainability for a considerable amount of time). This difficulty is mostly caused by the inherent complexity that surrounds the data that is necessary to manage sustainability. The majority of the data that is required originates from their supply chain networks, which are very opaque and complicated. In light of this paradigm, it is only logical for businesses to start managing sustainability via the lens of supply chain management.

Therefore, in order for businesses to successfully merge the disciplines of sustainability and supply chain management, they will need to implement symbiotic systems that link these two domains. The investment in technology, for example, is an excellent method for addressing difficulties that are associated with sustainability data. These concerns include the visibility of data at all points in the supply chain and the reduction of environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, water stress, and waste issues.  A plethora of technical alternatives are available for businesses to choose from to meet their needs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one example of a technology that may assist in the identification of patterns and trends, hence providing expanded capabilities. These capabilities range from the identification of hotspots and risks in their supply chain to the preparation of their voluntary disclosures and regulatory compliance reports. Software hosted on the cloud is yet another helpful technology. The applications that are compatible with this technology have the capability to create a supply chain map by integrating data from a wide variety of corporate systems into a single digital twin that is complete. Following this, businesses are able to develop simulations and scenarios in order to evaluate various investment options for addressing sustainability concerns, all while maintaining a balance between essential supply chain performance KPIs.

When businesses make the appropriate investments in technology, they are able to go beyond the collection and reporting of historical data and instead drive transformational action by embedding environmental, social, and governance parameters into their operational models. It is because of this visibility that decision-makers are able to make choices that are better informed, and more crucially, they are able to include all relevant stakeholders at the table where decisions are made.  When firms include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators into their operational model, they have the potential to make a number of choices. These decisions include reshoring production in order to boost the flexibility and sustainability of their manufacturing operations, as well as finding flexible production sites that have more sustainable performance and are closer to demand. In point of fact, an article published in a study produced by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) states that the use of technology in this sector has enabled businesses to break ties with cost-reducing dependencies and start searching for ways to raise service levels in conjunction with sustainability measures.

Additionally, the participation and cooperation of suppliers are essential components of sustainability initiatives, and technology is a valuable ally in the process of enhancing efficiency and success in these operations. For example, technology may assist in standardizing and streamlining contacts with suppliers, which enables planners and managers to devote more time to managing their relationships with suppliers, developing programs to promote sustainability, and improving their capacity to collaborate with their stakeholders. When it comes to the realm of supplier engagement, there is often a phenomenon known as “supplier fatigue,” which occurs when suppliers are subjected to repetitive demands from customers to complete surveys on metrics related to sustainability. The fact that the majority of these requests are not standardized and that it requires a significant amount of resources to handle the data requests is the most significant cause of frustration. In addition to the fact that technology may surely assist in the streamlining of data collecting and analysis by using links to a variety of data sources and harmonizing different kinds of data, it can also allow businesses to more effectively segment and target their supplier management. Technology has the potential to assist businesses in individualizing their approach and generating greater value by enabling them to go beyond a transactional and process-driven relationship with their suppliers. Furthermore, the capture and analysis of real-time data, which is made possible by technological advancements, may make it simpler for suppliers to adopt new practices by providing a variety of interaction types that are suited to the appropriate degree of maturity of the provider.

Some of the most forward-thinking businesses are paving the path for a more sustainable future. These businesses are gaining a competitive edge in the battle to become more environmentally friendly because they are making the appropriate investments in technology and process modifications. Additionally, they are providing a voice to sustainability teams in places that have previously been operational. This lifts the sustainability agenda to a higher level beyond the normal compliance, reporting, and marketing status quo. Providing insight into the supply chain, lowering environmental and social concerns, and even aiding with supplier engagement and cooperation are all ways in which technology may assist businesses in addressing the difficulties they face when it comes to managing sustainability. In addition, making investments in technology not only contributes to the protection of the environment but also generates total value for the organization. Investing in environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable practices is a strategy that benefits both businesses and the environment.

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