Title: Supply chain transparency, ethical sourcing, and synthetic diamond alternatives: exploring the perspectives of diamond retailers

Authors: Meike Schulte; Cody Morris Paris

Addresses: Middlesex University Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ' Middlesex University Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: Supply chain transparency is central to sustainable business operations, and consumers are more proactively seeking out socially responsible goods and services. At the same time, the diamond industry has traditionally been 'opaque'. The perception of 'blood diamonds' continues to be a challenge to the industry. The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance and perspectives of supply chain transparency of diamond retailers in the UAE and their perceptions of the importance of transparency and ethical sourcing for consumer diamond purchasing decisions. The research findings suggest that retailers currently perceive the consumers to be indifferent or unaware of the complexity of transparency in the diamond supply chain. However, some consumers did inquire about the origin. Additionally, as they are at the end of the supply chain, retailers do not have the means to guarantee that diamonds are ethically sourced.

Keywords: diamond industry; conflict diamonds; synthetic diamonds; provenance; sourcing conditions; ethical sourcing; supply chain transparency; diamond jewellery retailers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIE.2022.126399

International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise, 2022 Vol.9 No.4, pp.438 - 457

Accepted: 17 Feb 2020
Published online: 25 Oct 2022 *

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