| dc.description.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
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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. | en_US |
