Ethics Codes Use in Turkish Supply Chains: Drivers, Company Performance and Sustainability

Abstract

New understandings and methods in supply chains bring new research issues to the literature. Research identifies that pros and cons of ethics in supply chains and in their sustainability is one of the most argued and researched topics. Despite the large amount of work around the world, ethics literature requires some fundamental evidence from Turkish supply chain components. This research aims to explore the drivers and outcomes of ethics codes use of Turkish companies regarding their supply chain sustainability by providing a holistic view. We collect data through a structured interview in order to see Turkish companies’ critics on the generally accepted points as a result of the literature review. The target companies are a part of supply chains located in Turkey from different industries. According to the findings, (1) internally corporate culture and externally customers are most agreed drivers to employ ethics codes; (2) enhancing customer and supplier relationships; and achieving better prices, quality and efficiency are the agreed benefits of ethics codes use; and (3) Turkish firms reach economic sustainability and social sustainability, but, low level of environmental sustainability after the use of ethics codes in their supply chains. The work is important in that it is one of the few studies in Turkey settings.