The contribution of a supplier of the food and beverage industry to the sustainability of the overall supply chain

Achieving sustainable scopes in a supply chain context entails structural changes at all tiers. Recently, scholars investigated different models able to achieve a sustainable supply chain management. With the aim to explain which factors, at the single supplier level, could reassure a focal firm as regards the compliance of sub-suppliers toward sustainability principles, a case study was performed on a company of the food and beverage packaging industry, based on the natural resources-based view of the firm. Results show the leading role that, a major supplier, can play in promoting sub-suppliers' compliance towards sustainable principles. Reputation, legitimacy and concerns about future positioning in the market, are guiding factors able to influence the strategies adopted towards sub-suppliers. Implications for focal firms' managers suggest to invest more in relationships with those suppliers able to demonstrate reliable sustainable management systems, with proven commitments to product stewardship and greener technologies.