Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Electronics The Role of Product Development and Purchasing Integration in ECU Sourcing Processes
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Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Supply chain management (MPSCM), MSc
Product development (MPPDE), MSc
Product development (MPPDE), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Afshari, Ali
Ramic, Erna
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
In response to a heightened awareness of environmental issues, automotive OEMs have
increasingly embraced sustainability trends. Due to the trend of electric and autonomous
vehicles, more electronic components are needed to manufacture a single vehicle,
contributing significantly to global warming. This necessitates the implementation of
mitigation strategies to restrict their adverse environmental effects. Procurement, being
responsible for managing the company’s inbound material flow and acting as the initial
interface with suppliers, plays a crucial role in a company’s environmental performance.
Consequently, it is essential to implement green sourcing practices, such as LCAs, and
use their results to inform future sourcing processes. Furthermore, by promoting
integration between purchasing and R&D departments, supplier involvement in product
development can be facilitated, enabling early response to sustainability issues. Thus, the
thesis motivation originated from an automotive company’s ambition to deepen its
understanding of sustainable electronics as part of its efforts to manage Scope 3 emissions,
with a particular focus on an ECU, which is a complex component integral to vehicle
functionality.
This single case study endeavors to investigate the sourcing process and the
interdepartmental collaboration between R&D and procurement with the aim of minimizing
the carbon footprint of the electronic components in ECUs, thereby promoting a proactive
approach towards sustainability. To fulfill the research objective, an existing PCF analysis
of an advanced ECU was used to pinpoint the environmental hotspots, in this case, logic
ICs. In addition, this aspect was further explored by conducting 24 interviews with 22
representatives from the case company and its first-tier supplier. A theoretical framework
was devised to guide the development of interview questions. An as-is analysis was
undertaken to establish the current status of the case company, serving as a basis for
empirical findings and discussions. The empirical data highlighted three main themes:
green sourcing strategies, procurement and supplier involvement in product development,
and top management support, with the latter being a prerequisite for the successful
implementation of the former two. These findings, coupled with the consequent discussion,
led to the identification of areas for improvement aimed at enhancing the ECU’s
sustainability. Suggestions include reinforcing top management commitment, developing
green sourcing collaboration strategies and an electronics-specific supplier environmental
questionnaire.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Green sourcing strategies , Cross-functional collaboration , supplier involvement in product development , PCF , electronics , ECU