Sustainability practices throughout the service supply chain in consulting industries of Bangladesh

Abstract

Sustainability in service delivery aligns with sustainable development principles, emphasizing a balanced approach to societal, environmental, and economic well-being. Organizations integrating sustainability commit to enhancing efficiency while fostering an equitable society within environmental limits. The research explores sustainability in the service supply chain, focusing on environmental management, fair labor practices, cost-effectiveness, and stakeholder well-being. While sustainability is increasingly adopted in developed countries, developing nations like Bangladesh face challenges such as economic constraints and limited awareness, hindering effective implementation. The study aims to understand these sustainability practices among consulting entities in Bangladesh and identify challenges to improve public sector service delivery. The study utilized a participatory methodology to engage stakeholders within the consulting industry, facilitating a thorough examination of sustainability practices through a combination of primary and secondary data sources. This included structured questionnaires and direct interviews with key stakeholders, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and robust insights. The methodology was organized into three distinct phases: preparation, implementation, and processing. The preparatory phase involved developing research instruments to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. During the implementation phase, structured questionnaires were distributed via Google Forms, complemented by follow-up communications to encourage participation. The processing phase focused on analyzing and synthesizing the collected data systematically, allowing for clear conclusions and actionable recommendations. A targeted sample of eight consulting firms was selected, representing various sectors and sizes, with a total of 20 respondents providing meaningful insights into sustainability practices within the industry. The study findings reveal that the consulting firms have been trying to emphasize sustainability in their internal operations. Most of them gave strong opinion in pursuance sustainable factors during all procurement activities of the company while they emphasized lowest whole life costing in procurement. They have been trying to introduce energy-efficient equipment, energy management, effective waste management systems with focus on quality management through ISO 9001 certification. They utilize high-quality tools and technologies to improve performance and minimize energy consumption, implement green office initiatives like energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and promote paperless operations to reduce waste. Some of the consulting firms started practicing remote work and teleconferencing further reduce carbon footprints by decreasing travel-related emissions. It was found that the compliance with government regulations is generally robust, and trainings on professional skills, business management and ethics are provided on a need basis. The firms are committed to v integrating sustainability into project operations, practices such as the e-GP system for transparent tendering, strict ethical standards, comprehensive insurance for risk mitigation, and adherence to environmental and social management protocols ensure responsible and sustainable project execution. Projects emphasize safe working conditions, insurance coverage, and provisions for compensating affected individuals, while ensuring adherence to Public Procurement Rules and donor guidelines. The study highlighted several challenges that the consulting organizations face in integrating sustainability into their supply chain operations. Key issues include knowledge gap regarding sustainability practices, reluctance in integrating sustainability into the organizational culture, and the inefficiency in resources optimization and management. Some of the consulting firms struggle complying with regulatory compliance, balancing client expectations for quick results against longterm sustainability goals, and integrating technologies that promote environmental responsibility without disrupting operations. Additionally, the firms sometimes fail to uphold stakeholder interests, manage high innovation costs, ensure transparency and accountability in their sustainability efforts and address cultural barriers that impede the adoption of sustainable practices across diverse contexts. With an aim to embrace sustainability effectively, consulting organizations should implement a series of strategic steps, including adapting to changing norms, investing in employee education, forming cross-industry partnerships, engaging with local communities, developing comprehensive sustainability strategies, and committing to continuous improvement. Concurrently, governments and regulatory bodies should play a vital role by standardizing practices, ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement of regulations, incentivizing sustainable behaviors, funding research and innovation, and publicly recognizing firms that excel in sustainability. The support of governments and regulatory bodies, alignment of organizational culture, and a focus on innovation are essential for creating a thriving sustainable ecosystem in the consulting industry of Bangladesh.