“The dark side of the supply chain” – Corvinus DSG Professional Day 2024

The DSG professional day 2024 was about social and environmental sustainability within global supply chains. Prof. Dr. Kieckhäfer, Head of the Department of Business Administration at the FernUniversität in Hagen, gave an extremely informative technical presentation. He began his presentation by demonstrating that there is an immediate need for action within complex supply chains. This is particularly evident in the case of lithium-ion batteries, which are essential for the move towards electromobility in private transport. The rare earth metals needed are often mined and processed in regions where sustainability is questionable. In addition, Prof. Kieckhäfer presented the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act already in force in Germany and the new European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. In this context, he reiterated the importance of sustainability legislation. 

The second highlight of the event was a panel discussion, which focused intensively on the impact of the new Supply Chain Act on companies and the European Economic Area. Four well-known personalities from academia and the business scene took part in the panel discussion: Prof. Dr. Karsten Kieckhäfer was joined by Dr. Mátyás Gritsch, lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Department of Logistics and a colleague at Corvinus University, as well as  Ádám Molnár, Head of Logistics at the Drive Systems Division of AUDI Hungaria Zrt., and Dirk Wölfer from the German-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DUIHK). The first part was moderated by Jonas Pyhrr and Felix Winkler, master students at the Corvinus University of Budapest and the University of Passau, respectively. 

All the experts agreed on the ethical and moral correctness of such legislative efforts and the benefits of standardisation in this area. A positive conclusion was also reached on the fact that companies are responsible for the consequences of their economic activities. Due to the high additional costs and the impact on global competition, there was uncertainty about the possible effects of the law.

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