Prof. Dr. Elke Schüßler

What motivates your research on sustainability in global value chains?

Already since writing my doctoral dissertation, I have been interested in the drivers of internationalization of value chains and the consequences of this shift both in lead firm countries and regions (e.g. my home region, Aschaffenburg, has been an important garment-producing center after World War II, and has quite radically transformed itself since the 1970s, though some companies remain) and “upstream” in production countries, where involvement in global production network can have both positive economic and detrimental social and environmental consequences. Arguably, shifts in global production of goods and services affect us all, whether we are directly or indirectly involved.

Which key challenges or opportunities do you see in making value chains more sustainable?

Value chains, as the core organizational structure of the global economy, are an important lever when it comes to developing more sustainable forms of organizing economic exchange. Yet, their complex organizational structures, the often conflicting interests of the contributing parties, and intense price competition in many industries pose clear obstacles to a widespread shift towards more sustainable forms of production and consumption. Opportunities exist for managers involved who try to develop alternatives together with other stakeholders, be it competitors, suppliers, unions, workers, NGOs or governments. Yet, these are often constrained by a lack of collective action and the dominance of a competitive “market logic”.

How does your current work contribute to sustainability governance in global value chains?

Together with colleagues from other countries, I have examined the consequences of the fatal Rana Plaza accident for the governance of labor standards in the global garment industry for many years. Two important governance initiatives have developed that we consider – and still study – as institutional innovations that could provide role models for other industries and regions: The Accord for Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, and the ACT Initiative on Living Wages. Better understanding what enables and hinders such initiatives to get off the ground and sustain themselves provides important lessons of managers, policy makers and stakeholders in different sectors. Furthermore, I am keeping a close eye on regulatory changes, especially the CSDDD, and the way companies and stakeholders respond to them after decades of addressing sustainability through voluntary measures. Examining the impact of regulatory initiatives, their strengths and their weaknesses and unintended consequences, will provide important insights for policy-making in the future.

What excites you most about being part of this research network?

I have always worked in very interdisciplinary settings such as this research network, and find the triangulation of different perspectives on a shared problem area most stimulating and fruitful. It may not be the most efficient and straightforward way of conducting research, but it is surely one that provides the most learning opportunities, both for research and for practice.