Why we need a holistic solution and how to get there
Questioning the problem definition
A common mindset behind audits is that the cause of bad practices in a factory is either that the people working there are uneducated or that they have bad intentions. The solution to this problem definition is thus to add more rules and training. Currently, the tools themselves are more often challenged -? e.g. audits - than the problem definition. At PaperTale, we argue that a mindshift regarding the problem definition is just as important (if not more), as the tools themselves.
We believe that factories and suppliers do not have bad practices due to a lack of knowledge or bad intentions. We'd argue that they are constrained by their environment and circumstances to implement desired good practices.?
Easy, one could say, just change the circumstances! But it is important to understand that all counterparts of a supplier are also constrained by their environment. Because of this, the entire industry is locked into the same patterns, making it difficult for just one party to break out and start operating in a different direction.
Three steps towards a holistic solution
By connecting the different counterparts of an issue, effective solutions arise. Let's break down how the different areas are connected:
To reach Actionable Transparency data needs to be measured, verified and then evaluated. To be able to make the data useful, it is crucial to add context. Check out our previous blog post on this topic: Transparency: from information to wisdom.
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2. Sustainability performance
Actionable Transparency is the stepping stone to improving sustainability performance. To future-proof a business, it should be applied to all areas of sustainability. PaperTale's framework engages all stakeholders and its parameters cover environmental sustainability and the origins of materials, but also social impact. Recognising the interconnectedness of these factors, addressing one issue often requires addressing others simultaneously.?
3. New business opportunities
Transparency and Sustainability are a valuable combination from which new business models can be generated. PaperTale has managed this through incentives, which are built on the connection between all stakeholders.
There we have it, all the steps towards a holistic framework! Fitting to the holistic approach, an overview of these steps looks as follows:
However, 'holistic' does not mean that everything has to be tackled at the same time. Our approach is centred around the keywords holistic & gradual. This means small steps, that cover multiple areas, are taken.
Just like in life, when we improve one area, the positive effects of improvement settle into other areas as a result. And incremental change adds up over time.