Paper Number
ECIS2026-1563
Paper Type
CRP
Abstract
The introduction of digital product passports (DPPs) is well-intended but poses a multitude of challenges for small, medium, and mid-sized enterprises (SMMEs). The European Commission requires companies to provide product-related data from across multiple actors in the supply chain in the DPP, or face exclusion from the market. This produces dependencies between supply chain actors. In our paper, we use resource dependence theory to explore external resource dependencies arising from the implementation of the DPP for SMMEs along the supply chain and beyond. Based on 26 interviews, we identified ten dependencies, primarily arising from external resources, such as know-how, finances, and personnel, as well as the consequences for SMMEs. The analysis shapes awareness of potential actor relationships and enables us to develop purposeful strategies to mitigate them.
Recommended Citation
Emons, Sebastian; Paeplow, Johanna Meike; Jussen-Lengersdorf, Ilka; Schoormann, Thorsten; and Möller, Frederik, "David Vs. Goliath: Dependencies In Implementing The Digital Product Passport" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 6.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/is_resil/isresilience/6
David Vs. Goliath: Dependencies In Implementing The Digital Product Passport
The introduction of digital product passports (DPPs) is well-intended but poses a multitude of challenges for small, medium, and mid-sized enterprises (SMMEs). The European Commission requires companies to provide product-related data from across multiple actors in the supply chain in the DPP, or face exclusion from the market. This produces dependencies between supply chain actors. In our paper, we use resource dependence theory to explore external resource dependencies arising from the implementation of the DPP for SMMEs along the supply chain and beyond. Based on 26 interviews, we identified ten dependencies, primarily arising from external resources, such as know-how, finances, and personnel, as well as the consequences for SMMEs. The analysis shapes awareness of potential actor relationships and enables us to develop purposeful strategies to mitigate them.