This study examines the drivers and challenges of sustainable procurement in the Swedish food industry, with a focus on how organizational and stakeholder dynamics shape decision-making. Using stakeholder theory as an analytical lens, the research explores how instrumental, relational, and moral motives influence procurement strategies within Sweden’s unique regulatory, cultural, and market context.

A qualitative multiple case study approach is used. Six firms operating in different areas of the food supply chain are investigated through semi-structured interviews and document analysis.

The findings reveal that sustainability in procurement is often driven by a combination of compliance with EU regulations, customer expectations, and a broader sense of ethical responsibility. A key finding is that intermediaries, such as grocery chains and wholesalers, exert considerable influence over producers' sustainability efforts, often more than individual consumers or regulations. Furthermore, the study identifies barriers such as limited supplier control, regulatory complexity, and internal tensions between social- and environmental sustainability goals and cost-efficiency. 

The research contributes to the existing literature by providing context-specific insights into how sustainability is interpreted and operationalized in procurement and offers practical implications for procurement professionals and policymakers aiming to enhance sustainability in supply chains. 

Suggestions for future research include continued research in the same theoretical area, incorporating results from multiple organizations, but in different industries and different geographical areas. It would also be valuable to explore the extent to which moral motivations are sustained over time, especially in the absence of strong external pressure.