ICDD M.A. Thesis Grant Programme Lena Schätzlein Master

ICDD M.A. Thesis Grant Programme
Lena Schätzlein
Master Sustainability Management and Economics
University of Kassel
Report on Field Research in Uganda
- Tensions on the sustainability of the pineapple supply chain in Uganda -
Abstract
During my study of sustainability management and economics one specific question kept
rising up over and over again: Does the consideration of sustainability goals lead to
economic limitations or advantages - respectively do tensions among these goals arise?
Hahn et al. (2015) analyse tensions that occur when adapting sustainable business
practices with a relatively new approach for corporate responsibility: the paradox
approach. Due to its novelty the theoretical framework has not yet been elaborated with
empirical studies. My master thesis aims at contributing to this practical application as
well as extending it towards a supply chain perspective with the help of a field research
stay in Uganda. 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted within the organic
pineapple supply chain, as Ugandan pineapples are considered economically highly
relevant.
Aim of my field research
A considerable number of research papers have already addressed the question,
whether acting responsible towards society and environment has a negative or positive
effect on the economic situation of a company– with different conclusions (Endrikat et al.,
2014; Orlitzky et al., 2003). In this context, Hahn et al. (2015) apply the so-called
paradox approach and present a conceptional framework for sustainability tensions.
Related empirical research particularly in low income countries as well as the social /
decent work intersection is missing so far. In my master thesis I venture empirically
testing parts of this theoretical framework. Furthermore, globalization has created an
immense market place, which is resulting in more complex supply chains than ever
before. Therefore I went a step further and expanded the Hahn et al. (2015) framework
from a business towards a supply chain perspective by examining the organic pineapple
supply chain in Uganda.
The field with the attendance of a conference in Nakuru, Kenya, which helped a lot in
obtaining first insights on the topic and the research context, as I met researchers who
are also engaged in the pineapple supply chain in Uganda. After the conference, the field
research in Uganda started right away, as contacts for interviews already existed from a
prior research in May 2015, also supported by an ICCD master research grant (Jonathan
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Trenk). More interview partners were identified using the snowball effect, some could be
identified using a local NGO’s homepage and others were just visited spontaneously
when driving by. We, Carolin Brix-Asala, another master student (Kira Dietze, funding
from different sources) and myself, conducted in total 35 semi-structured interviews with
producers, processors, and exporters from the pineapple supply chain both in the
Kampala and Kayunga area. Special attention was paid to the consistency of the supply
chain i.e. we talked to the producer, the connecting processor and the exporter who buys
the product from the exact processor. Translators reconciled the communication barriers
that occurred especially with producers and processors. Thus, they helped a lot by
having deep and useful knowledge of the pineapple supply chain as well as conducting
interviews in this field.
Month
Activities
Departure from Germany: 27th Sep 2015
Participation in a research conference in Nakuru, Kenya
Sep. 2015
Nov. 2015
Journey to Kampala, Uganda
Interviews with producers, processors and exporters from the
pineapple supply chain in Kampala and Kayunga area, Uganda
Coordination of interview translation and transcription
Arrival in Germany: 16th Nov 2015
Assessment of field research
The interviews helped a lot to get deeper insights in the difficulties and challenges of the
pineapple supply chain and enable the practical application of the Hahn et al. (2015)
framework. During the field stay the interview questions were adapted several times in
line with the theoretical background, due to small intermediate analyses and a
permanent exchange between the three of us. Therefore I could dig deeper in certain
interesting topics. Conducting the interviews was essential for the aim of finishing my
thesis, as the thesis’s topic is the practical verification of the Hahn et al. (2015)
framework.
Beyond the usefulness for my thesis it was a great experience to have the opportunity to
get in touch with many friendly and hospitable people that took a lot of their precious time
to answer our questions – mostly without expecting any consideration. As the stay was
during the rainy season, weather and bad road conditions were sometimes a bit
challenging but nothing that couldn’t be dealt with some flexibility. Getting to know at
least a bit of the Ugandan culture, which goes along with great food, cheerful music and
apparent love of life was something I enjoyed a lot.
I made overall positive experiences and therefore I am very grateful. I had the unique
opportunity to do a thesis accompanied by a field research - only due to the support from
the ICCD Grant Programme. In this context I would like to express my thanks for this
support that I appreciate a lot!
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Literature
Endrikat, J., Guenther, E., & Hoppe, H. (2014). Making sense of conflicting empirical
findings: A meta-analytic review of the relationship between corporate environmental and
financial performance. European Management Journal, 32(5), 735-751.
Hahn, T., Pinkse, J., Preuss, L., & Figge, F. (2015). Tensions in corporate sustainability:
Towards an integrative framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 127(2), 297-316.
Orlitzky, M., Schmidt, F. L., & Rynes, S. L. (2003). Corporate social and financial
performance: A meta-analysis. Organization studies, 24(3), 403-441.
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