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Social sustainability in the ready-made-garment sector in Bangladesh: an institutional approach to supply chains

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  • Carlson, Laura A.
  • Bitsch, Vera

Abstract

Ready-made-garment (RMG) production for sale in the EU and USA is a key source of economic development for Bangladesh. The 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza revealed worker safety and other social issues in RMG factories in Bangladesh, showing that formal, top-down approaches to these problems, including corporate codes-of-conduct and reforms in Bangladeshi labor laws, have little effect. Supply chain sustainability is a key issue for business, government and civil society. Satisfactory theoretical approaches to promoting social sustainability in supply chains are lacking. A case study using qualitative document analysis identifies the key institutional factors related to social sustainability in the Bangladeshi RMG industry, with a modified version of the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework as an analytical frame. Key elements of other frameworks for social sustainability are discussed in terms of how well the IAD framework captures those concepts, and how employing the IAD could enhance supply chain analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlson, Laura A. & Bitsch, Vera, 2018. "Social sustainability in the ready-made-garment sector in Bangladesh: an institutional approach to supply chains," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(2), March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ifaamr:269552
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.269552
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rozina Aktar & Sumaiya Siddika & Sumaya Khan Auntu & Md. Mahofuzur Rahman & ATM Adnan, 2021. "Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on RMG Sector: A Study of Bangladesh," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 5(11), pages 1-11.
    2. Redwanur Rahman & Saleh Shahriar & Sokvibol Kea, 2019. "Determinants of Exports: A Gravity Model Analysis of the Bangladeshi Textile and Clothing Industries," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 8(3), pages 229-244, September.

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