In today’s complex business landscape, innovation is no longer limited to technology — it’s about redefining processes, building frameworks, and sparking meaningful change.
ETCH Sourcing, a Canadian procurement services company, has developed an innovative approach to sustainable supply chain strategy development. By combining academic research and industry expertise, ETCH was able to develop a compass for organizations to quickly assess and identify the most impactful interventions to adjust adoption behaviour within their teams.
As a Canadian leader in the sustainable procurement space, ETCH has worked with various organizations both in the public and private sectors on their sustainable procurement. When faced with the recurring challenge of transforming top-down sustainability goals into tangible operational action, ETCH realized they needed a comprehensive and structured approach.
By delving into doctoral research at the Haskayne School of Business, ETCH was able to combine the vast academic knowledge pool with industry practice to develop an “Operationalization Compass” for sustainability adoption. This diagnostic tool translates over 800 academic studies and insights from 28 top industry executives into actionable strategies tailored to real-world procurement environments.
This Operationalization Compass sits alongside ETCH’s existing sustainable procurement offering to enhance and expedite strategies in adoption of sustainability in the supply chain. One powerful insight emerged from the process: the appetite for practical, evidence-based tools in sustainable procurement is undeniable. Businesses are eager for resources that not only align with ESG goals but also make a compelling business case for long-term value creation. ETCH’s approach — merging academic rigor with technological application — bridges the gap between research and impact.
This innovation has not only elevated ETCH’s capabilities but also reshaped their client service offerings. Armed with deeper insights, data-backed tools, and a renewed strategic edge, ETCH stands at the forefront of sustainable procurement services. The Operationalization Compass equips organizations with the map to navigate their sustainability journey, and ETCH is looking to further integrate technology to automate the assessment process.
This article is part of Innovation+ in the Plus 15, a special editorial series from the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum and Digital Journal that explores how Calgary-based companies are innovating.
