Project overview - Jia Zuo

Research questions

1. How do intermediaries in multi-tier supply chains govern corporate sustainability performance?

2. Why does multi-tier supply chain sustainability governance collapse?

3. How do the EU sustainability governance laws influence China's overseas investment practice?

Why does this research matter?

Jia's current research focuses on sustainability activities and management innovations within the global critical mineral supply chain. Critical minerals—such as the 3TG (tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold), cobalt, and others—are essential for powering the green economy, advancing technology, and enabling the future of sustainable transportation. However, every major stage in their lifecycle—from extraction and refining to reprocessing and recycling—carries significant and lasting impacts on both the environment and local communities.

What makes this area particularly compelling is the complexity and opacity of the global critical mineral supply chain. It is a highly fragmented, geographically dispersed, and interdependent system. This opacity often obscures the social and environmental consequences experienced by underdeveloped regions, where mining activities can lead to severe environmental degradation, exploitation of local labor, and the marginalization of indigenous communities.

To address these pressing issues, Jia's research investigates how different legal frameworks- particularly in the EU and China - regulate their supply chains and influence sustainability practices at various levels. She explores several key questions: How do these jurisdictions ensure compliance with due diligence requirements? What innovative practices have emerged among actors within the global supply chain to promote sustainability? What role do commodity traders play in shaping supply chain transparency and accountability? And how are corporations adapting their strategies in response to growing geopolitical uncertainties and investment risks?

Through this research, Jia aims to deepen our understanding of the diverse approaches to sustainability management within global value chains. She also hopes to contribute valuable empirical insights and policy-relevant analysis that can inform both corporate governance and international regulatory development. Ultimately, the goal is to support the creation of more equitable, resilient, and transparent supply chains that are responsive to both environmental imperatives and the needs of affected communities.