Sustainability meets service procurement: a case study in the ICT service sector

Kati Schaëfer, Aleksi Harju, Anni-Kaisa Kähkönen and Jukka Hallikas

International Journal of Production Research, 2025, vol. 63, issue 12, 4458-4477

Abstract: This study investigates sustainability in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) service procurement, examining its unique challenges, key drivers, and current practices. Through an exploratory case study based on 16 semi-structured interviews with a lead firm in the financial services sector and its three main ICT service suppliers, the findings reveal that while sustainability practices have begun to be incorporated, the overall maturity of sustainable procurement in ICT services remains low. The study identifies multiple challenges, including a lack of standardised sustainability criteria and tools, limited visibility into supply chains, and conflicting priorities as major barriers. At the same time, stakeholder pressures, proactive supplier initiatives, and internal organisational capabilities act as key drivers. Based on these findings, the study proposes a theoretical framework linking challenges, drivers and practices on sustainable ICT service procurement. The research contributes to the literature on sustainable supply chain management by providing insights specific to ICT services and offers relevant practical implications for firms striving to address sustainability in this evolving field.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2025.2451822

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