Transforming South Africa through supplier diversity

South African Supplier Diversity Council’s (SASDC) goal is to promote supplier diversity by assisting member corporations in opening up business opportunities to certified Black-owned businesses. However, many corporations are reluctant to set supplier diversity as a priority given the lack of qualitative and quantitative data supporting supplier diversity as a component of economic development. The Capstone team was charged with assessing the socioeconomic impact SASDC has on supplier diversity in South Africa. The team developed a literature review to examine both the South African economic landscape and global supplier diversity best practices. The team conducted and analyzed qualitative research from interviews in the field and quantitative research through surveys distributed to SASDC’s clients. The team’s report assessed challenges and business opportunities for supplier diversity in South Africa, analyzed indicators that support the rationale for supplier diversity, and provided recommendations to sustainably integrate under-represented suppliers into supply chains.