Incorporating Sustainability as a Parameter in the Ocean Carrier Selection Process A Study Conducted at a Case Company
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Supply chain management (MPSCM), MSc
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Eriksson, Alicia
Rejgård, Elin
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The study has been conducted at a case company in the biomaterials and paper business that delivers products worldwide. Procuring transportation services is critical due to its significant share of logistics costs and impact on business performance.
The case company transports a large share of their products through maritime transport, hence, selecting ocean carriers that can meet their needs is critical. Maritime
transport is considered environmentally friendly as it carries large volumes over long distances. However, it still faces significant sustainability challenges, including rising GHG emissions and air pollution. Sustainability is a key component of the case company’s corporate strategy and governance, and they want it to influence all aspects of their operations, including logistics. Therefore, the purpose of the thesis is
to develop a framework for successful incorporation of sustainability as a parameter in companies’ LSP selection process for maritime transport.
To fulfill this purpose, the current procurement process for maritime transport at
the case company had to be identified. Secondly, through a literature review and
empirical findings, suitable sustainability criteria for the container segment within
maritime transport were identified. After this, a method that integrates sustainability as a parameter in selecting ocean carriers was developed. It regards the
construction of a sustainability performance index which facilitates the assessment
of ocean carriers’ sustainability performance by weighting and aggregating criteria
scores. To obtain scores, a questionnaire based on identified sustainability criteria
was created. The AHP method is recommended for weighting and an additive aggregation method for compiling weighted scores into sub-indices within each dimension
which together form the sustainability performance index. Lastly, a framework was
developed for how sustainability can be integrated as a parameter in the selection
process. It is recommended to consider sustainability throughout the selection process to guarantee that ocean carriers’ performance is taken into account.
In conclusion, implementation of the developed framework will improve the case
company’s’ selection process, enabling better evaluation and comparison of ocean
carriers’ sustainability performances.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Sustainability , Ocean Carrier Selection , Maritime Transport , LSP Selection , Sustainability Criteria , Sustainability Performance Index