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Blockchain technology and modern slavery: Reducing deceptive recruitment in migrant worker populations

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  • Christ, Katherine L
  • V Helliar, Christine

Abstract

Modern slavery, including forced labour, is a practice that impacts more than 40 million people, 20 million of whom are trapped in corporate supply chains. Migrant workers are disproportionately affected by this practice, who are often from developing countries and are vulnerable to exploitation through deceptive recruitment practices. With questions raised as to the efficacy of social audit and increasing pressure on governments and large businesses to identify and reduce the incidence of modern slavery in corporate activities, new approaches and tools are needed. The purpose of this paper is to offer a conceptual discussion as to how a relatively new technology, the blockchain, might be used to reduce vulnerability and risk in migrant worker populations. Limitations and directions for future research are also considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Christ, Katherine L & V Helliar, Christine, 2021. "Blockchain technology and modern slavery: Reducing deceptive recruitment in migrant worker populations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 112-120.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:131:y:2021:i:c:p:112-120
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.03.065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chiyin Chen & Yunting Feng & Bin Shen, 2022. "Managing Labor Sustainability in Digitalized Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Giuliano Sansone & Flavio Santalucia & Davide Viglialoro & Paolo Landoni, 2023. "Blockchain for social good and stakeholder engagement: Evidence from a case study," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5), pages 2182-2193, September.
    4. Goldberg, Mitchell & Schär, Fabian, 2023. "Metaverse governance: An empirical analysis of voting within Decentralized Autonomous Organizations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    5. Marco Bellucci & Damiano Cesa Bianchi & Giacomo Manetti, 2021. "A literature review on blockchain in accounting research," Working Papers - Business wp2021_04.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    6. Christ, Katherine L. & Burritt, Roger L., 2023. "Exploring effectiveness of entity actions to eliminate modern slavery risk – Early Australian evidence," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(1).
    7. Qilong Cao & Jinglei Li & Hongru Zhang & Yue Liu & Xun Luo, 2022. "Blockchain and Firm Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.

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