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Buyer–Supplier Role in Improving Ergonomics in Garment Supplier Factories: Empirical Evidence from the Garment Industry of Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • Imranul Hoque

    (Department of Marketing, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh)

  • Peter Hasle

    (Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Miguel Malek Maalouf

    (Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

Abstract

Ergonomics is a key concern of garment suppliers to improve their workers’ well-being and efficiency. However, suppliers’ isolated initiatives are not sufficient to improve ergonomics conditions. Thus, buyers’ cooperation and collaboration with suppliers are necessary to make the ergonomic initiatives successful and sustainable. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of buyer-assisted ergonomics intervention on suppliers’ performance and the role of buyers’ assistance and suppliers’ initiatives for improving ergonomics conditions in garment supplier factories. Following a qualitative research approach and multiple embedded case study method, this study intervened in supplier factories and collected qualitative and quantitative data from one Danish buyer and their four key suppliers on ergonomics and the role of buyers and suppliers in improving ergonomics conditions. Collected data were analysed by employing both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. This study demonstrates that buyer-assisted ergonomics intervention on the shop floor can improve ergonomics conditions in garment supplier factories. This study also shows that improving ergonomics in supplier factories need joint efforts of buyers and suppliers. The findings of this study will enrich the literature on ergonomics, sustainability, and buyer–supplier relationships by demonstrating how garment suppliers in developing countries can improve ergonomics to meet the expectations of lead buyers and their workers. This is a unique research attempt to understand ergonomics from a buyer–supplier relationship perspective and its impact on the social sustainability of garment suppliers.

Suggested Citation

  • Imranul Hoque & Peter Hasle & Miguel Malek Maalouf, 2022. "Buyer–Supplier Role in Improving Ergonomics in Garment Supplier Factories: Empirical Evidence from the Garment Industry of Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:492-:d:716868
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Anner, 2020. "Squeezing workers’ rights in global supply chains: purchasing practices in the Bangladesh garment export sector in comparative perspective," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(2), pages 320-347, March.
    2. Imranul Hoque & Peter Hasle & Miguel Malek Maalouf, 2020. "Lean meeting buyer's expectations, enhanced supplier productivity and compliance capabilities in garment industry," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 69(7), pages 1475-1494, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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