Sustainability in multi‐tier supply chains: Understanding the double agency role of the first‐tier supplier

Abstract In light of the growing complexity of globally dispersed, multi‐tier supply chains, the involvement of first‐tier suppliers has become instrumental in the quest for achieving sustainability compliance along the supply chain. We describe this new responsibility as the double agency role. We employ agency and institutional theory arguments to explore the conditions under which first‐tier suppliers will act as agents who fulfill the lead firm's sustainability requirements (i.e., the primary agency role) and implement these requirements in their suppliers' operations (i.e., the secondary agency role). The findings from three in‐depth case studies embedded in different institutional contexts highlight the…