Social sustainability in supply chains: the role of local practices and informal networks

Purpose The study aims to investigate cultural aspects in supply chains, analysing the effect that local customs may have quality of buyer–supplier relationships. Building on premisses social exchange theory (SET), it concentrates impacts suppliers’ use practices and informal networks buyers’ attitudes perceptions. issues addressed empirical evidence provided represent initial, yet important steps fulfilment ‘cultural void’ within chain sustainability (SCCS) literature. Design/methodology/approach Through a role-playing experiment applied total sample 468 participants, effects Chinese guanxi , Russian blat South Korean yongo Brazilian jeitinho satisfaction, commitment, trust solution severity are measured by their access as solutions both common (i.e. documentation irregularities) extraordinary modern slavery) problems. Findings Results show that, while activation impact perceptions, some suppliers ) cause greater variations perceptions than others ), with ethical offences higher levels dependency acting catalysts these processes. Originality/value investigation typical economically peripheral countries contributes understanding new facets relationships, non-Northwestern being particularly this regard.