The data consists of a series of interviews conducted between 2013 and 2015 with company directors plus trade associations on the topic of sustainable supply chain management. The data is divided into five supply chain case studies, plus two supporting cross-sector interviews. Each is categorised according to basic descriptions and pre-specified concepts related to decision theory, plus emergent concepts. The research concerns implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) to enable theory elaboration. Existing SSCM literature shows barriers including complexity and uncertainty, and requirements including organisational culture and strategy. Decision theory (DT), which provides deeper insight into this, is underdeveloped as a theoretical perspective in SSCM. Therefore, cross-sector qualitative case studies on the role of internal organisational culture, and external supply chain and sector context on decision making, are undertaken to elaborate theory around SSCM and DT. Implications for theory and practice are provided, notably on the distinction between efficiency measures and effectiveness in organisational resource and SSCM outcomes.

Semi-structured qualitative interviews using elite technique, transcribed, anonymised and coded using conceptual coding technique. All interviewees have granted permission for their data to be archived.