What Price Sustainability in Procurement?

BrainNet analysis

Bonn, March 1st, 2010 – Legal, social and ecological sustainability in procurement is crucial to the success and public acceptance of a company – at least in theory. But how willing are companies to invest in this sustainability, and how is it possible to guarantee effective and cost-efficient sustainability management? BrainNet, a consultancy firm specializing in supply chain management, analyzed these questions at a conference with prominent invited guests.

Corruption, child labor, pollution or contaminated pre-products: when incidents like these come to light, companies face enormous problems. Even healthy and successful businesses can be shaken to the foundations by draconian fines, the loss of trust of customers and employees, and the serious damage done to its image and brand. Companies must account not only for their own actions, but also for the actions of their vendors. As a driving factor in external value creation, procurement is particularly affected by these risks, especially in the context of global supply chains. Ensuring legal, social and ecological sustainability is therefore a core procurement task. But how willing are companies to pay for all-embracing sustainability in procurement, and how is it possible to achieve effective and cost-efficient sustainability management? These were the questions under discussion at the Green Procurement Day hosted by BrainNet in partnership with the Supply Chain Management Institute (SMI) of the European Business School.

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The complete text can be found here: www.brainnet.com/phpwcms/pdf/BrainNet_Price%20Sustainability%20in%20Procurement_010310_FREI_ENG.PDF