Purpose

To investigate the effects of supply chain (SC) distance on sustainability adoption, this study aims to advance the way prior studies on SC sustainability presume that SC structures are well-developed and stable. Since SC members face structural voids in different regions, we recognize that the information flow is impacted as SC partners often have limited knowledge of their direct partners. Thus, by studying a multi-stakeholder partnership, this article sheds light on the institutional foundation of sustainability adoption issues largely neglected to date.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study was used with members of an MSP (i.e. a roundtable), to understand the beef SC located in Brazil. Overall, 18 h of interview recordings and notes from 18 h of meeting observations were gathered, equaling 36 h of primary data.

Findings

Four dimensions of SC distance (physical, organizational, cultural and institutional) were identified, generating three driving effects on symbolic sustainability adoption and, consequently, a degree of invisibility for beef SC members. The results explain the process of sustainability adoption and highlight that smaller and more upstream suppliers show lower degrees of substantive adoption of SC sustainability practices.

Originality/value

This study investigates how SC distance affects the alignment of SC members in terms of sustainability adoption. By providing reflections on how institutional distance can hinder suppliers from adopting sustainability requirements they received from the SC, this research contributes to shifting from sustainability discourse to real practice and proactive partner engagement.

中文翻译：

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揭示供应链距离对可持续性采用的影响：来自多方利益相关者伙伴关系的经验证据

 目的

为了调查供应链 （SC） 距离对可持续性采用的影响，本研究旨在推进先前关于 SC 可持续性的研究假设 SC 结构发展良好且稳定的方式。由于 SC 成员在不同地区面临结构性空白，我们认识到信息流会受到影响，因为 SC 合作伙伴通常对其直接合作伙伴的了解有限。因此，通过研究多方利益相关者的伙伴关系，本文阐明了迄今为止在很大程度上被忽视的可持续性采用问题的制度基础。

设计/方法/方法

与 MSP（即圆桌会议）的成员进行了定性案例研究，以了解位于巴西的牛肉 SC。总体而言，收集了 18 小时的访谈录音和 18 小时的会议观察笔记，相当于 36 小时的原始数据。

 发现

确定了 SC 距离的四个维度（物理、组织、文化和制度），对象征性可持续性的采用产生了三个驱动效应，因此，牛肉 SC 成员在一定程度上被忽视。结果解释了可持续性采用的过程，并强调较小和更上游的供应商对 SC 可持续性实践的实质性采用程度较低。

 原创性/价值

本研究调查了 SC 距离如何影响 SC 成员在可持续性采用方面的一致性。通过反思制度距离如何阻碍供应商采用他们从 SC 收到的可持续性要求，本研究有助于从可持续发展话语转变为实际实践和积极的合作伙伴参与。