New Guide for Multinational Companies: FOSTERING INTEGRITY IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

Multinational companies are facing unprecedented challenges in their global supply chains. With spiraling costs, logistics barriers, political risk and economic instability, never before have the world’s leading companies been confronted with such an array of physical, financial and socioeconomic obstacles. The growing demand of consumers for ethically-produced and -sourced goods, the advent of a new generation of ethical and impact investors, and a new level of investigative journalism powered by open data have shed a harsh light on multinationals’ and their suppliers’ ability to manage their global sourcing fairly and without harming the environment and society. Egregious cases of environmental damage, modern slavery, and corruption abound in multinationals’ supply chains, especially in the less regulated Global South, all overshadowed by the everpresent, and as yet unresolved, long-term threat of climate change.

As a result, governments and regulators are now introducing new laws and stricter enforcement to ensure that corporate behavior corresponds with public expectations. This is forcing multinational companies to take a fresh look at how they manage and promote integrity in their supply chains. From assessing and managing risk to establishing integrated warning systems; from onboarding new suppliers to supporting and training them to implement the new responsible business standards; and above all how to respond to the new risks in an organised and integrated fashion – these represent the new challenges facing multinationals and the companies in their global supply chains.

The creation of an Integrated Supply Chain Management System which is capable of meeting these tasks is the focus of this publication:
www.allianceforintegrity.org/wAssets/docs/publications/en/supply-chain/fostering-integrity-in-global-supply-chains.pdf