Sustainability in the Supply Chain (B): C&A - The Sustainable Supply Chain of Cotton

Abstract

This is part of a case series. This case is a series of two caselets: C&A and Alpro. It provides insights into the challenges companies face in integrating sustainability in their global supply chain. The caselets portray two very different companies but with many commonalties among which a global supply chains and active in the agricultural commodity supply chain (C&A in cotton, and Alpro in soybeans). Despite a high commitment to sustainability, they face numerous challenges and dilemmas in implementing sustainable supply chain. The caselets illustrate real-life implementation of sustainability in the supply chain and raise some of the implementation challenges. Used together, the caselets help to compare and contrast company practices. They also challenge students with the complexity and diversity of implementing sustainability in the supply chain. Although the general principles and goals may be quite similar, the companies' practices are very supply chain related. Nonetheless, general learning can be drawn from the two cases.