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Between Legitimacy and Cost: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Rights in Global Supply Chains

Author

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  • Chunyun Li
  • Sarosh Kuruvilla
  • Jinsun Bae

Abstract

Scholars and practitioners have advocated for freedom of association and collective bargaining (FOA/CB) rights as a key mechanism to improve labor compliance in global supply chains. Drawing on a longitudinal data set comprising 6,500 Better Work factory assessments across seven countries from 2015 to 2021, the authors compare violations of various FOA/CB elements to provide a general picture of the progress and problems of FOA/CB in supplier workplaces. They argue that suppliers are likely to selectively comply with FOA/CB elements that afford them some legitimacy but will violate the elements that impose significant costs on them. Specifically, the authors find fewer violations of union formation rights, in contrast to higher violations of union operation rights and of collective bargaining rights. Yet, when these latter rights are respected, they are associated with better compliance with other employment standards, with effective collective bargaining having the strongest effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunyun Li & Sarosh Kuruvilla & Jinsun Bae, 2025. "Between Legitimacy and Cost: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Rights in Global Supply Chains," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 78(3), pages 435-462, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:78:y:2025:i:3:p:435-462
    DOI: 10.1177/00197939251314867
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