“The Hurdles Analysis” as an instrument for improving sustainable stewardship

Purpose - The management of procurement processes can be one important factor in achieving an integrated stewardship of resources. This paper's purpose is to complete an empirical study to record the current perception of hurdles in German industries. Methodology - The questionnaire‐based survey was conducted with the major 883 large and all medium‐sized companies that are members of the “German Association of Materials Management, Purchasing, and Logistics (AMMPL)” 24 theory and experience‐based questions regarding several areas (legislation, company objectives, knowledge of products and services, costs, motivation) were asked in an explorative design. Findings - The study identified hurdles that are perceived as significantly greater than others. There are differences in hurdles between the industries, but also within a particular industry. Medium‐sized companies feel more uncertainties regarding legislation or bemoan the absence of supportive guidelines. Research limitations/implications - The 24 theory‐ and experience‐based questions could not be sorted into clearly defined hurdles groups. Further research in this direction is recommended as well as in‐depth analyses of industries and actors. Practical implications - Sustained and concerted efforts to reduce the hurdles to further legislation or information campaigns initiatives on those hurdles that have been identified. Originality/value - The paper indicates that hurdles to green procurement exist and companies have to cope in their efforts to increase their environmental responsibility. The paper provides strategies to handle and overcome such hurdles to firstly support the companies and secondly provide a basis for further in‐depth research on this topic.