A natural-resource-based perspective of SSCM in the Scottish food sector

Building upon a review of the Scottish food sector, the need for improvements in sustainability is evidenced. An exploration of these issues in literature leads to the natural resource-based view (NRBV) of the firm (Hart, 1995) which in promoting competitive and sustainable strategies via several innovative strategies resonates with modern business. However in spite of its significance and positive academic support the NRBV falls victim to a twenty year theory-practice gap, limiting its value to the Scottish food sector. Offering some resolve are synergies between NRBV and SSCM strategies, which along with SSCM’s prominent position in industry imply some potential in the practical realisation of the NRBV. Adopting a qualitative methodological approach by means of literature and industry reviews and multiple case studies, this paper proposes a study assessing the value of a natural-resource-based perspective of SSCM in the Scottish food sector in an attempt to overcome the theory-practice gap and answer industry calls for competitive sustainability