Bridging Supply Chain Technologies and Sustainability Outcomes From a Network Based Resource Dependency Perspective

Abstract

It is still unclear how different supply chain actors, both human and non-human, implement technological changes to achieve sustainability outcomes by considering their dependencies on each other and their natural social networks, especially in emerging economies. From this point of view, this study aims to integrate two management theories, Actor-Network Theory and Resource Dependence Theory, to explain how supply chain technologies can bridge sustainability outcomes for different supply chain actors. In this study, firstly, a theoretical structure that integrates Actor-Network Theory and Resource Dependence Theory is proposed; secondly, supply chain technologies and sustainability outcomes are determined, and finally, a proposed framework for bridging supply chain technologies and sustainability outcomes through the lens of Actor-Network Theory and Resource Dependence Theory is presented by using semi-structured interviews. As a result of this study, a relationship between technology and sustainability outcomes was established for supply chain actors. It is revealed that technological needs to achieve sustainable outcomes vary for different supply chain actors. The main originality of this paper is its integration of actor-network theory and resource dependence theory. A framework is developed to show resource dependencies between human and non-human actors in the supply chain to achieve sustainability outcomes using supply chain technologies.