Dans quelle mesure les discours et engagements affichés par les entreprises technologiques en matière d'approvisionnement responsable des matériaux de smartphones reflètent-ils la réalité des impacts socio-environnementaux de l'extraction sur le terrain, et quelle est l'efficacité réelle des initiatives mises en œuvre pour rendre ces chaînes plus durables ?

Abstract

This study addresses the critical challenges linked to the sourcing of raw materials used in smartphones, an industry at the heart of global digitalization. While companies increasingly communicate their commitment to responsible supply chains, the reality of mining practices often reveals severe environmental degradation and widespread social injustices. From deforestation and water depletion in lithium extraction sites to child labor and unsafe working conditions in cobalt mines, the gap between corporate rhetoric and on-the-ground realities remains striking. The central research question guiding this study is whether the discourse and commitments of technology companies regarding responsible sourcing truly reflect the socio-environmental impacts of mineral extraction, and to what extent current initiatives contribute to more sustainable supply chains. To answer this, the study adopts an abductive methodology combining an extensive literature review with case studies of major industry players, including Apple, Samsung, and Fairphone. This dual approach enables a critical confrontation between institutional narratives and field realities. The findings highlight a recurring pattern: while voluntary certifications, regulatory frameworks, and technological tools such as blockchain have improved transparency, they remain limited in scope and effectiveness. Many initiatives serve more as reputational shields than genuine solutions, with evidence of greenwashing undermining trust in corporate responsibility. The persistence of structural issues — weak traceability, lack of independent oversight, and the marginalization of affected communities — significantly reduces the credibility of corporate commitments. In conclusion, the study underscores that achieving a truly ethical and sustainable smartphone industry requires moving beyond symbolic gestures. Stronger regulatory frameworks, genuine transparency mechanisms, and sustained pressure from consumers, civil society, and governments are essential to align corporate practices with the urgent socio-environmental challenges of mineral extraction.