Abstract
The chapter examines the challenges of the legislation and mandatory disclosures in the elimination of modern slavery in global supply chains. There are upsurge of new domestic legislations and policies such as the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act and Dodd-Frank Act in the US, the UK Modern Slavery Act, the French Corporate Duty of Vigilance and the UN/OECD Due Diligence Principles to deal with the prevalence on modern slavery practices including forced labour, child labour, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, domestic servitude, organ harvesting and human trafficking. Although the modern slavery legislations require firms to make mandatory disclosures regarding labour issues which could also help to bring corporate accountability and transparency in the supply chains to the limelight, the paper highlights some of the challenges of these laws like industry actors sought to derail efforts to raise public labour standards, business opposition to these legislations and the fact that disclosures may fail to highlight and address human rights abuses and not also improve sustainable business practices.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Aaronson, S.A., Wham, E. Can Transparency in Supply Chains Advance Labour Rights? Mapping of Existing Efforts. Institute for International Economic Policy-Working Paper 2016-6, George Washington University (2016)
Anti-Slavery Australia: What is slavery? (2017). http://www.antislavery.org.au/hpme/what-is-slavery.html
BSR (n.d.). Redefining sustainable business: management for a rapidly changing world
Baldwin, R.: Global supply chains: why they emerged, why they matter, and where they are going. In: Elms, D., Low P. (eds.) Global Value Chains in a Changing World. WTO (2013)
Bales, K.: Winning the fight: eradicating slavery in modern age. Harvard Int. Rev. 31, 14–17 (2009)
Ball et al.: Report systematically benchmarks corporate compliance with California transparency in supply chain acts. Business and Human Rights Resources Centre. November 2 (2015)
Barrientos, S.W.: Labour chains: analyzing the role of labour contractors in global production networks. The J. Dev. 49(8), 1058–1071 (2013)
Baughen, S.: Human rights and corporate wrongs. Chttenham, Edward Edgar Publishing (2015)
Bayer, C.N.: Corporate compliance with the California transparency in supply chains act of 2010. Supply Chain 247, December 9, 2015 (2015)
Birkey, R., Guidry, R., Islam, M.A., Paten, D.: Mandatory social disclosure: an analysis of the response to the California transparency in supply chain act of 2010. J. Bus. Ethics (2016). http://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3364-7
Blacconiere, W.G., Patten, D.: Environmental disclosure, regulatory costs and changes in firm value. J. Account. Econ. 18, 357–377 (1994)
Business Human Rights Resource Centre and CORE: At the Starting Line: FTSE 100 & the UK Modern Slavery Act. BHRRC, London (2016)
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre: Modern Slavery in Company Operation and Supply Chains: Mandatory Transparency, Mandatory Due Diligence and Public Procurement Due Diligence. BHRRC, London (2017)
Carter, C.R., Rogers, D.S.: A framework of sustainable supply chain management: moving towards new theory. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logistic Manag. 38, 360–387 (2008)
Chelli, M., Durocher, S., Fortin, A.: Normativity in environmental reporting: a comparison of three regimes. J. Bus. Ethics (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3128-4
Chilton, A.S., Sarfaty, C.: The Limitations of Supply Chain Disclosure Regimes. Coase-Sandor Working Paper Series in Law and Economics, No. 766, University of Chicago Law School (2016)
Christ, K.L., Burrit, R.L.: Current perceptions on the problem of modern slavery in business. Bus. Strategy Dev. 1, 103–114 (2017)
Chuang, J.A.: Giving as governance? Philanthrocapitalism and modern-day slavery abolitionism. UCLA Law Rev. 62, 1516–1556 (2015)
Cossart, S., Chaplier, J., Beau De Lomenie, T.: The French law on duty of care: a historic step towards making globalization work for all. Bus. Hum. Rights J. 2(2), 317–323 (2017)
Crane, A.: Modern slavery as a management practice: exploring the conditions and capabilities for human exploitation. Acad. Manag. Rev. 38(1), 49–69 (2013)
Dahan, N.M., Gittens, M.: Business and the public affairs of slavery: a discursive approach of an ethical public issue. J. Bus. Ethics 92(2), 227–249 (2010)
Deloitte: Governance in Brief: Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Deloitte Academy (2016)
Ergon: Reporting on Modern Slavery: The Current State of Disclosures. Ergon, London (2016)
Feasley, A.: Eliminating corporate exploitation: examining accountability regimes as means to eradicate forced labour from supply chains. J. Hum. Traffick. 2, 15–31 (2016)
Frankel, R., et al.: The domain and scope of supply chain management (SCM’s) foundation disciplines—insights and issues to advance research. J. Logist. 29(1), 1–30 (2008)
Frasen, L., Burgoon, B.: A market for workers’ rights: explaining business support for international (2012)
Gereffi, G., Humphrey, J., Sturgeon, T.: The governance of global value chains. Rev. Int. Polit. Econ. 12(1), 78–104 (2005)
Global Slavery Index: Global findings (2017). http://www.globalslaveryindex.org/findings
Gold, S., Trautrims, A., Trodd, Z.: Modern slavery challenges to supply chain management. Supply Chain Manag.: An Int. J. 20, 485–494 (2015)
Gond, J.P., Kang, N., Moon, J.: The govenance of self regulation: on the comparative dynamics of corporate social responsibility. Econ. Soc. 40, 640–671 (2011)
Gupta, M., Hodges, N.: Corporate social responsibility in the apparel industry: an exploration of Indian consumers’ perceptions and expectations. J. Fash. Market. Manag.: An Int. J. 16(2), 216–233 (2012)
Hrasky, S.: Carbon footprints and legitimation strategies: symblolism or action? Account., Audit. Account. J. 25(1), 174–198 (2012)
ILO: Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour. ILO, Geneva (2014)
ILO: World Employment Social Outlook: The Changing Nature of Jobs, p. 139. ILO, Geneva (2015)
ILO: Decent Work in the Global Supply Chains. ILO, Geneva (2016)
Institute of Business Ethics-IBE: Modern slavery. Bus. Ethics Brief. 43, 1–5 (2014)
Ip, P.K.: The challenge of developing a business ethics in China. J. Bus. Ethics 88, 211–224 (2009)
Islam, M.A.: Future of the accounting profession: Three major changes and implications for teaching and research. Global Knowledge Gateway, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) (2017)
Islam, M.A.: Tackling Modern Slavery: What Role Can Accountants Play? Global Knowledge Gateway IFAC (2018)
Kaplan, R.: Who has been regulating whom, business or society? The mid-20th century institutionalization of corporate responsibility in the USA. Socio-Econ. Rev. 13, 125–155 (2015)
Kinderman, D.: Time for a reality check: is business willing to support a smart mix of complimentary regulation in private governance? Policy Soc. 35, 29–42 (2016)
Landman, T.: Out of the shadows: trans-disciplinary research on modern slavery. Peace Hum. Rights Gov. 2(2), 143–162 (2018)
LeBaron, G.: Subcontracting is not illegal but is it unethical? Business ethics, forced labour and economic success. The Brown J. World Aff. 20, 237–249 (2014)
LeBaron, G., Lister, J.: Benchmarking global supply chains: the power of the ‘ethical audit’ regime. Rev. Int. Stud. 41, 905–924 (2015)
LeBaron, G., Ruhmkorf, A.: Steering corporate social responsibility through home state legislation: a comparison of the impact of the UK bribery act and modern slavery act on global supply chain governance. Glob. Policy 8(53), 15–28 (2017a)
LeBaron, G., Ruhmkorf, A.: The domestic politics of corporate accountability legislation: struggles over the 2015 UK modern slavery act. Socio-Econ. Rev. 1–35 (2017b)
Lock, R.M., Rissing, B.A., Pal, T.: Complements of substitutes? private codes, state regulation and the enforcement of labour standards in global supply chains. Br. J. Ind. Relat. 51, 519–552 (2013)
Marshall, D., McCarthy, L., McGrath, P., Harrigan, F.: What is your strategy for supply chain disclosure? MIT Sloan Manag. Rev. 57(2), 37 (2016)
Mascarenhas, A.O., Gonçalves-Dias, S.L., Baptista, R.M.: Elementos para discussão da escravidão contemporânea como prática de gestão. Revista de Administração de Empresas 55(2), 175–187 (2015)
Matten, D., Crane, A.: Corporate citizenship: towards an extended theoretical conceptualization. Acad. Manag. Rev. 30(1), 166–179 (2015)
McGrath, S.: Fuelling global production networks with slave labour? Migrant sugar cane workers in the Brazilian ethanol GPN. Geoforun 44, 32–43 (2013)
Michailova, S., Stringer, C.: Tackling modern slavery, the ugliest phenomenon of our times: an invitation to the IB scholarly community. AIB Insights 18(2), 7–10 (2018)
Monteiro, L.A., Fleury, S.: Elos que libertam: redes de políticas para erradicação do trabalho escravo contemporâneo no Brasil. Organizações & Sociedade 21(69), 255–274 (2014)
New, S.J.: Modern slavery and the supply chain: the limits of corporate social responsibility?. Supply Chain Manag.: An Int. J. 20, 697–707 (2015)
New, S.J.: Supply chains: construction and legitimation. In: New, S.J., Westbrook, R. (eds.) Understanding Supply Chains: Concepts, Critiques and Futures. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2004)
OECD: Interconnected Economies: Benefiting from Global Value Chains: Synthesis Report. OECD (2013)
Parella, K.: Outsourcing corporate accountability. Wash. Law Rev. 747–1035 (2014)
Parente, T.C., Lucas, A.C., Cordeiro, R.A.: Contemporary slavery in Brazil: what have companies (not) done to prevent it? Revista de Administração Mackenzie 18(4), 39–64 (2017)
Philips, N., LeBron, G., Wallin, S.: Mapping and Measuring the Effectiveness of Labour Related Disclosure Requirements for Supply Chains. ILO, Geneva (2016)
Phillips, N.: Unfree labour and adverse incorporation in the global economy: comparative perspective from Brazil and India. Econ Soc 42, 171–196 (2013)
Pierce, S.C.: Turning a blind eye. U.S. corporate involvement in modern day slavery. Gender, Race and Justice 14, 244–260 (2011)
Preuss, L.: Ethical sourcing code of large UK-based corporations: prevalence, content, limitation. J. Bus. Ethics 88, 735–747 (2009)
Quarshie, A., Salmi, A.: CSR and ethics in supply network: the case of human trafficking. Paper submitted to the 30th IMP Conference at Bordeaux, France, 3–6 Sept 2014
Quirk, J.F.: Anti-slavery project: linking the historical and contemporary. Hum. Right Q. 28, 565–598 (2006)
Reuter, C., Foerstl, K., Hartmann, E., Blome, C.: Sustainable global supply management: the role of dynamic capabilities in achieving competitive advantage. J. Supply Chain Manag. 46(2), 45–63 (2010)
Robert, S.: Supply chain specific? Understanding the patchy success of ethical sourcing initiatives. J. Bus. Ethics 44, 159–170 (2003)
Robinson, P.K.: Do voluntary labour initiatives make a difference for the conditions of workers in global supply chain? J. Ind. Relat. 52, 561–573 (2010)
Robinson, R.N.S.: Darker still: present day slavery in hospitality and tourism services. Hosp. Tour. Serv. 3, 93–110 (2013)
Rubio, J.J.A., Yiannibas, K.: Human Rights in Business: Removal of Barriers to Access to Justice in the European Union (eds.) Routledge, London (2017)
Ruggie, J.G.: Business and Human Rights. In: Bringing Responsibility Home. Keynote Address Delivered at Ottawa on 28 September 2017
Sarfaty, G.A.: Shining light on global supply chain. Harvard Int. Law J (2014). Available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2512417
Scherer, A.G., Pallazo, G.: The new political role of business in a globalized world. A review of a new perspective on CSR and its implication for the firm, governance and democracy. J. Manag. Stud. 48(4), 899–931 (2011)
Stringer, C., Whittaker, D.H., Simmonds, G.: New Zealand’s turbulent waters: the use of forced labour in the fishing industry. Glob. Netw. 16, 3–24 (2016)
The Guardian: Big business holds the key to eradicating modern-day slavery (2013). Available http://www.theguardian.com/globaldevelopment/2013/aug/29/big-business-modern-slavery
Trade Union Advisory Committee: Implementing the OECD due diligence guidance. TUAC, OECD, Paris, 28 May, 2018
United Nations: Sustainable development goal 8 (2017). http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg8
Wells, D.: Local workers struggles in the global South: reconsidering Northern impacts on international labour standards. Third World Q. 30, 567–579 (2009)
Yu, X.: Impact of corporate code of conduct on labour standards: a case study of Reebok athletic footwear supply factory in China. J. Bus. Ethics 81, 513–529s (2008)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Odia, J. (2020). Modern Slavery in the Global Supply Chains: The Challenges of Legislations and Mandatory Disclosures. In: García-Alcaraz, J., Sánchez-Ramírez, C., Avelar-Sosa, L., Alor-Hernández, G. (eds) Techniques, Tools and Methodologies Applied to Global Supply Chain Ecosystems. Intelligent Systems Reference Library, vol 166. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26488-8_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26488-8_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26487-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26488-8
eBook Packages: Intelligent Technologies and RoboticsIntelligent Technologies and Robotics (R0)