Die Transformation zu nachhaltigen und zirkulären Supply Chains

: Wie Unternehmen auf regulatorische Anforderungen und Ressourcenknappheit reagieren

Abstract

Increasing pressure is being placed on industrial companies as they are important to adapt their supply chains to changing environmental, social and political requirements. The urgency of sustainability is intensified due to climate change, limited resources and stricter legal guidelines such as the European Green Deal or the CSRD. It clearly shows that sustainability is no longer optional, but essential for future viability. Traditional supply chain models such JIT or push/pull are reaching their limits, while many companies are trying to act more sustainably. At the same time, there is a lack of well-founded insights into applicable implementation: How do companies manage to actually implement circular processes while remaining profitable? This is where this master's thesis starts. The primary objective is to analyze the transformation from traditional to sustainable and circular supply chains from various perspectives. Initially, the basic ideas of the circular economy as well as conventional logistical models and their limitations are explained. In addition, current trends such as the implementation of regulatory reporting obligations and the use of modern technologies such as blockchain or the Internet of Things are taken into account. This is followed by a detailed empirical study based on a mixed-methods methodology. A thorough analysis of sustainability reports from six companies is carried out to determine which specific strategies they pursue to implement sustainable supply chains. In addition, qualitative case studies will be conducted in three companies to provide practical insights into the implementation of sustainable measures. The aim is to combine theoretical knowledge with operational experience in order to derive general recommendations for other companies. The results show that companies that understand sustainability as a strategic and operational principle and not only comply with regulatory requirements but also actively use them to optimize processes are significantly better at building sustainable and resilient supply chains. Six key success factors, including circular business models, digital traceability, take-back processes ESG-driven supplier selection, have a reinforcing effect. The qualitative analysis also confirms that bottom-up initiatives and simple but effective practices at site level play a central role. Sustainability is therefore not achieved through individual measures, but through the integrative interplay of technological, organizational and cultural factors.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Stefanie Poscher-Volland (Supervisor)