What Happens When You Center People in Supply Chain Research? With Dr. Mark Pagell of the University College Dublin
July 24, 2025
In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Dr. Mark Pagell, Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at the University College Dublin. Together, they share how adopting a people-centric approach transforms data collection within sustainable supply chains, challenging traditional models that prioritize economic growth over social and ecological well-being.
In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Dr. Mark Pagell, Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at the University College Dublin. Together, they share how adopting a people-centric approach transforms data collection within sustainable supply chains, challenging traditional models that prioritize economic growth over social and ecological well-being.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to shift from traditional manager-focused data collection to capturing worker and community perspectives
- Why mixing methodologies is crucial for understanding social impacts
- The creative sampling" approach to finding and studying innovative, sustainable business models
- How to leverage partnerships with regulatory agencies and NGOs for deeper data access
- Why researchers should embrace prescriptive, goal-oriented research rather than purely descriptive studies
Dr. Mark Pagell is a distinguished scholar in Sustainable Supply Chain Management and a Full Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at the University College Dublin. Known for challenging traditional supply chain models, he advocates for a people-centric approach that prioritizes social and ecological well-being over purely economic metrics. His groundbreaking work focuses on post-growth economics and sustainable supply chain transitions, particularly examining how organizations can scale up renewable operations while responsibly scaling down traditional practices.
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