Enhancement of ISO 14001 and the Integration of Sustainability into the Footwear Supply Chain at Nike Inc

This chapter presents a case study of how Nike got to the point of practical implementation of an effective management system within the footwear-manufacturing supply chain. It focuses on the evolution of traditional environmental, safety and health (ESH) management at Nike to the model that is being used. At the core of Nike's sustainability values are The Natural Step (TNS) system conditions and natural capitalism principles. As facilities achieve successes with their Management Environment, Safety and Health (MESH) implementation, the challenge will be to continually integrate sustainability criteria into the tools. Developed in 1997, MESH represents Nike's commitment to corporate responsibility. The uniqueness of MESH lies in raising the bar of ISO 14001 to include management, safety and health along with environmental issues. MESH has also encouraged manufacturers to get more involved in manufacturing and technological innovations, order management and environmental processes and procedures.