Abstract:Collaboration is emerging as a requirement for strengthening relationships among supply chain members and sustainability is rising as a real-world solution for different environmental issues. There are numerous studies that approach both perspectives, but there are still many questions about their relationship, mostly in the agri-food industry. Hence, this paper aims to address the influence of collaboration initiatives on the sustainability indicators of the cashew supply chain (SC). To reach this objective, a case study was performed among farmers belonging to the Cooperative of Cashews in the Piauí state (COCAJUPI), a local cooperative in Northern Brazil. Attending to the results, it is possible to state that the collaboration initiatives that have higher levels of implementation among research companies are the "trust among supply chain members" and the "sharing of standards information". Moreover, the size of companies in the cashew SC does not influence the level of implementation of collaboration initiatives. The findings of this study demonstrate that the farms' area of the companies from the cashew SC does not have a significant influence on their sustainability indicators. Furthermore, a weak relationship exists between the collaboration initiatives and the indicators associated to the three dimensions of sustainability.

PurposeThis paper investigates how food supply chains (SCs) introduce sustainability standards (i.e. organic and/or Fair Trade labels). The authors combined the concepts of power and dependence with types of governance mechanisms to analyse for-profit and cooperative organisations. The authors explored nuances of how lead organisations are spreading sustainability standards.Design/methodology/approachFour cashew nut and honey SCs were investigated as case studies in Brazil, with data gathered through 15 interviews, secondary data and field visits. Data were examined through a content analysis process following a combined deductive and inductive approach.FindingsSustainability is spread driven by market pressure, mainly through the diffusion of technical information, either by lead organisations enablers or inter-organisational relations. The authors found that the type and structure of organisations impact the source of power (mediated or non-mediated) and level of mutual dependence between buyer and supplier. For instance, suppliers that hold a strategic position use direct governance mechanisms, which, in turn, lessens the power imbalance in regard to the lead organisation. The authors found in the analysis, a close relation between governance mechanisms and the spread of sustainability, which is ultimately based on strong SC relationships.Practical implicationsBy recognising their role and the contingencies in spreading sustainability standards along the SC, managers of lead organisations can better design their relationships as well as create strategies to increase their supply chain sustainability (SCS) performance.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the underexplored issue of how sustainability standards are spread throughout SCs in Latin America. Also, it shows how different types of SC rely on governance mechanisms that foster SCS.

Goal:The supply chain sustainability (SCS) literature is missing studies that specifically analyse factors that impact sustainability performance in supply chains, according to specific theoretical backgrounds. Within this context, this paper aims to understand how and why social capital theory (SCT) can inspire SCS studies and practice. In doing so, two research questions are addressed: (1) How has the SCS literature evolved in its application of the social capital theory?, and (2) What are the main sustainability performance factors studied in SCS?.Design / Methodology / Approach: A systematic literature review was developed. Data were collected from 12 years (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019) in two databases (i.e. EBSCO and Web of Science) and a total of 56 articles were selected and analysed through deductive and inductive content analysis. Results:The analysis revealed 24 performance factors that influence SCS research throughout the three sustainability dimensions (i.e. economic, environmental and social). We found that social capital makes a significant conceptual contribution to understanding how the supply chain practices (i.e. cooperation, coordination, collaboration, resource exchanges and information sharing) explain how relationships are formed and interrelated to improve SCS performance. Limitations of the investigation:The use of two databases may present limited results, which may have resulted in missing publications.Practical implications: By recognising the performance factor for SCS, managers can identify their supply chain practices and increase their strategies within the relationship.

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Essa pesquisa analisou quais são as motivações e dificuldades para a adoção de práticas sustentáveis nas cadeias de suprimentos de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) do setor do caju. Para tanto, a literatura apresenta os principais conceitos de práticas sustentáveis, motivações e dificuldades para adoção de práticas no contexto de PMEs. A metodológica utilizada foi o estudo de caso múltiplo. Os sujeitos da pesquisa são formados por duas empresas que trabalham com o beneficiamento da amêndoa do caju e da polpa do caju. A pesquisa teve como base a técnica análise de conteúdo de acordo com Bardin (2016). Diante dos resultados tanto do Caso 1 e Caso 2, evidenciam-se que as práticas de sustentabilidade do Caso 1 estão voltadas para a exigência de certificação de orgânicos com seus fornecedores. Já o Caso 2 tem suas práticas de sustentabilidade advindas das boas práticas do campo, falta um melhor entendimento do que é sustentabilidade.