The Integration of SDGs through Intra-Sector Collaboration : the case of the Chemical Sector SDG Roadmap

Details

Supervisors

Desmet, Carlos

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] en ingénieur de gestion

Abstract

This research master’s thesis studies the role, the impact and relevance of sector-level initiatives towards the integration of the SDGs by examining the case of the Chemical Sector SDG Roadmap, the first SDG Sector Roadmap issued by WBCSD, ERM, leading member companies in the chemical sector and chemical associations. In order to analyze this subject, the main research question was decomposed into five sub-research questions. These questions consequently analyze the challenges currently encountered by companies with regard to the integration of SDGs, the success factors of intra-sector collaborations, the benefits these collaborations can provide to both internal and external stakeholders, the limits of intra-sector collaborations and derived recommendations, and the replicability of intra-sector collaborations such as SDG roadmaps to other sectors than the chemical sector. These questions were answered by combining the outputs of a literature review on the SDGs, on the chemical sector and on intra-sector collaborations, with the analysis of the Chemical Sector SDG Roadmap, based on the results from ten in-depth semi-directive interviews (totaling 425 minutes) with six roadmap’s contributors (including coordinators, co-chairs and project members) and four external stakeholders. The results of this research can be applied to intra-sector collaborations, in particular knowledge collaborations leading to the production of documents in the frame of the SDGs. Although this study focuses on the SDGs, most findings can be generalized to intra-sector knowledge collaborations around sustainability at large. The analysis of this intra-sector collaboration and the recommendations provided can guide and support the development of future roadmaps or intra-sector initiatives and deliver a preliminary assessment of the ability of this type of collaboration to achieve its purpose and fill the current gaps in terms of SDGs integration for the private sector. This research also provides a knowledge base and a reference for scholars and academics aiming at further investigating the dynamics and relevance of sector-level collaboration in the integration of SDGs, and in general, of sustainability.