Addressing challenges to labour rights reporting on global value chains: social governance mechanisms as a way forward

Book chapter


Parsa, S. and Werner, A. 2023. Addressing challenges to labour rights reporting on global value chains: social governance mechanisms as a way forward. in: Kacanski, S., Kabderian Dreyer, J. and Sund, K. (ed.) Measuring Sustainability and CSR: From Reporting to Decision-Making Cham, Switzerland. Springer. pp. 95-106
Chapter titleAddressing challenges to labour rights reporting on global value chains: social governance mechanisms as a way forward
AuthorsParsa, S. and Werner, A.
Abstract

With the spread of globalisation, transnational companies (TNCs) face increasing challenges to uphold labour rights along their value chains, raising concerns over their ability to truly discharge their accountability to their wider workforce and thus contribute to Sustainable Development Goals. We provide two examples of workforce issues, migrant workers and wages, to illustrate the complexities and challenges that accountability for labour rights brings. We argue that existing governance mechanisms are not designed to capture the pressing workforce issues that TNCs are expected to deal with, and there is a need for further mechanisms to support and guide TNCs’ efforts. We focus on three types of governance - private, public and social - and propose how changes can be made to help improve corporate accountability for labour rights.

Keywordsgovernance; value chains; labour rights; accountability; social dialogue; sustainable development
Sustainable Development Goals8 Decent work and economic growth
Middlesex University ThemeSustainability
Page range95-106
Book titleMeasuring Sustainability and CSR: From Reporting to Decision-Making
EditorsKacanski, S., Kabderian Dreyer, J. and Sund, K.
PublisherSpringer
Place of publicationCham, Switzerland.
SeriesEthical Economy
ISBN
Hardcover9783031269585
Paperback9783031269615
Electronic9783031269592
ISSN2211-2707
Electronic211-2723
Publication dates
Online29 Mar 2023
Print29 Mar 2023
Publication process dates
Deposited29 Mar 2023
Output statusPublished
Copyright Statement

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use (https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-research/policies/accepted-ma...), but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26959-2_10

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26959-2_10
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/8q532

Restricted files

Accepted author manuscript

  • 76
    total views
  • 1
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Beyond novelty and growth: a virtue ethics enquiry into fashion entrepreneurs’ responsible and harmonising practices towards sustainability
Werner, A., Elf, P., Lyon, F. and Vickers, I. 2024. Beyond novelty and growth: a virtue ethics enquiry into fashion entrepreneurs’ responsible and harmonising practices towards sustainability. Journal of Business Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-024-05875-w
Benevolent authoritarianism, paternalism and religious humanitarianism in Sri Lanka: a dependent or autonomous HR?
Hettiarachchi, C., Parsa, S. and Roper, I. 2024. Benevolent authoritarianism, paternalism and religious humanitarianism in Sri Lanka: a dependent or autonomous HR? The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 35 (20), pp. 3475-3495. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2421343
The real Living Wage in the London hospitality sector: opportunities and challenges
Werner, A. and Stephens, S. 2024. The real Living Wage in the London hospitality sector: opportunities and challenges. Middlesex University. https://doi.org/10.60528/1v7qzw
The (only) future of fashion? The role of small sustainable entrepreneurship in driving transformational change
Elf, P. and Werner, A. 2024. The (only) future of fashion? The role of small sustainable entrepreneurship in driving transformational change. in: Scott, K., Curtis, B. and Pajaczkowska, C. (ed.) The Future of Fashion Education: Speculation, Experience and Collaboration London, UK Taylor & Francis (Routledge). pp. 199-207
No poverty, zero hunger and human resource management
Roper, I., Parsa, S. and Hettiarachchi, C. 2024. No poverty, zero hunger and human resource management. in: Aust-Gronarz, I., Cooke, F. and Semeijn, J. (ed.) The Elgar Companion to Human Resource Management and the Sustainable Development Goals Edward Elgar Publishing.
Finance and funding for upscaling sustainable fashion
Lyon, F., Elf, P., Owen, R. and Werner, A. 2023. Finance and funding for upscaling sustainable fashion. in: Charter, M., Pan, B. and Black, S. (ed.) Accelerating Sustainability in Fashion, Clothing and Textiles London Taylor & Francis (Routledge).
Soft law regulation and labour rights reporting: a deficit in moral legitimacy?
Parsa, S., Roper, I., Maurer, I. and Muller-Camen, M. 2023. Soft law regulation and labour rights reporting: a deficit in moral legitimacy? Accounting Forum. https://doi.org/10.1080/01559982.2023.2250030
Making the living wage work in SMEs: evidence from accredited employers in the UK hospitality sector
Werner, A. 2021. Making the living wage work in SMEs: evidence from accredited employers in the UK hospitality sector. in: Dobbins, T. and Prowse, P. (ed.) The Living Wage: Advancing a Global Movement Routledge. pp. 79-90
Transparency and disclosure in supply chains: modern slavery and worker voice
Parsa, S., Roper, I. and Hettiarachchi, C. 2022. Transparency and disclosure in supply chains: modern slavery and worker voice. UK Middlesex University, London & University of Essex, Colchester. https://doi.org/10.57685/EPRINTS.MDX.AC.UK.00034618
Advancing the circular economy through dynamic capabilities and extended customer engagement: insights from small sustainable fashion enterprises in the UK
Elf, P., Werner, A. and Black, S. 2022. Advancing the circular economy through dynamic capabilities and extended customer engagement: insights from small sustainable fashion enterprises in the UK. Business Strategy and the Environment. 31 (6), pp. 2682-2699. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2999
Living wage implementation in adult social care: challenges, solutions and benefits
Werner, A. 2021. Living wage implementation in adult social care: challenges, solutions and benefits. London, UK Middlesex University. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.16610725
Best practice in license allocation in the oil and gas industry: a review of five countries
Cillari, A., Stephens, S. and Werner, A. 2021. Best practice in license allocation in the oil and gas industry: a review of five countries. Resources Policy. 74, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102296
Why do managers of small and medium-sized businesses seek voluntary Living Wage accreditation? – an exploration of choice rationales
Werner, A. 2021. Why do managers of small and medium-sized businesses seek voluntary Living Wage accreditation? – an exploration of choice rationales. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. 30 (6), pp. 778-789. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1908417
Living wage and business ethics
Werner, A. 2020. Living wage and business ethics. in: Poff, D. and Michalos, A. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics Cham, Switzerland Springer.
Corporate social responsibility reporting in China: political, social and corporate influences
Parsa, S., Narisa Tianjin, D., Ataur, B., Teng, L. and Guliang, T. 2021. Corporate social responsibility reporting in China: political, social and corporate influences. Accounting and Business Research. 51 (1), pp. 36-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.2020.1780110
Corporate governance and HRM
Parsa, S. 2019. Corporate governance and HRM. in: Prouska, R., Roper, I. and Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, U. (ed.) Critical issues in human resource management: contemporary perspectives London Macmillan International Higher Education | Red Globe Press. pp. 9-27
Have labour practices and human rights disclosures enhanced corporate accountability? The case of the GRI framework
Parsa, S., Roper, I., Muller-Camen, M. and Szigetvari, E. 2018. Have labour practices and human rights disclosures enhanced corporate accountability? The case of the GRI framework. Accounting Forum. 42 (1), pp. 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2018.01.001
A new living contract: cases in the implementation of the Living Wage by British SME retailers
Werner, A. and Lim, M. 2017. A new living contract: cases in the implementation of the Living Wage by British SME retailers. Employee Relations. 39 (6), pp. 850-862. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-07-2017-0150
Putting the living wage to work: strategies and practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
Werner, A. and Lim, M. 2016. Putting the living wage to work: strategies and practices in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Barrow Cadbury Trust.
How do Chinese businesses view corporate social responsibility?
Parsa, S., Tang, G. and Dai, N. 2016. How do Chinese businesses view corporate social responsibility? London ICAEW.
Reporting on sustainability and HRM: a comparative study of sustainability reporting practices by the world’s largest companies
Ehnert, I., Parsa, S., Roper, I., Wagner, M. and Muller-Camen, M. 2016. Reporting on sustainability and HRM: a comparative study of sustainability reporting practices by the world’s largest companies. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 27 (1), pp. 88-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1024157
The ethics of the living wage: a review and research agenda
Werner, A. and Lim, M. 2016. The ethics of the living wage: a review and research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics. 137 (3), pp. 433-447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2562-z
CSR and related terms in SME owner-managers' mental models in six European countries: national context matters
Fassin, Y., Werner, A., Van Rossem, A., Signori, S., Garriga, E., Von Weltzien Hoivik, H. and Schlierer, H. 2015. CSR and related terms in SME owner-managers' mental models in six European countries: national context matters. Journal of Business Ethics. 128 (2), pp. 433-456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2098-7
'Margin call': using film to explore behavioural aspects of the financial crisis
Werner, A. 2014. 'Margin call': using film to explore behavioural aspects of the financial crisis. Journal of Business Ethics. 122 (4), pp. 643-654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1781-4
Is there an expectations gap in the roles of independent directors? An explorative study of listed Chinese companies
Li, P., Parsa, S., Tang, G. and Xiao, J. 2012. Is there an expectations gap in the roles of independent directors? An explorative study of listed Chinese companies. British Journal of Management. 23 (2), pp. 206-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2010.00727.x
How do European SME owner-managers make sense of stakeholder management? Insights from a cross-national study
Schlierer, H., Werner, A., Signori, S., Garriga, E., von Weltzien Hoivik, H., Van Rossem, A. and Fassin, Y. 2012. How do European SME owner-managers make sense of stakeholder management? Insights from a cross-national study. Journal of Business Ethics. 109 (1), pp. 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1378-3
The social audit of labour standards: what can it tell us about employer motivation to disclose?
Roper, I., Parsa, S. and Muller-Camen, M. 2011. The social audit of labour standards: what can it tell us about employer motivation to disclose? Across Boundaries: An Interdisciplinary Conference on the Global Challenges Facing Workers and Employment Research. BJIR 50th Anniversary Conference. London School of Economics 12 - 13 Dec 2011
Non-financial information disclosure and communication in large UK companies.
Parsa, S. 2001. Non-financial information disclosure and communication in large UK companies. PhD thesis Middlesex University Business School Business School
Using a socio-psychological approach for understanding the influence of civil society on economic activity
Werner, A. 2008. Using a socio-psychological approach for understanding the influence of civil society on economic activity. Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts und Unternehmensethik. 9 (1), pp. 153-168.
Employee views of ethics at work: The 2008 national survey.
Webley, S. and Werner, A. 2009. Employee views of ethics at work: The 2008 national survey. London Institute of Business Ethics..
Capital markets: reactions to social information announcements
Parsa, S. and Deng, X. 2008. Capital markets: reactions to social information announcements. International Journal of Accounting and Finance. 1 (1), pp. 107-120. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAF.2008.020239
Corporate performance analysis and military production in South Africa
Batcholar, P., Dunne, J. and Parsa, S. 2000. Corporate performance analysis and military production in South Africa. Defence and peace economics. 11 (4), pp. 615-641. https://doi.org/10.1080/10430710008404970
How UK companies use their codes of ethics: Highlights of the 2007 Institute of Business Ethics Survey.
Werner, A. and Webley, S. 2009. How UK companies use their codes of ethics: Highlights of the 2007 Institute of Business Ethics Survey. International Journal for Business Governance and Ethics. 4 (3), pp. 280-297. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBGE.2009.023333
Literature Review: Social Capital and SMEs
Werner, A. and Spence, L. 2004. Literature Review: Social Capital and SMEs. in: Spence, L., Habisch, A. and Schmidpeter, R. (ed.) Responsibility and Social Capital: The World of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Houndsmill Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 7-24
An investigation into Christian SME owner-managers' conceptualisations of practice
Werner, A. 2006. An investigation into Christian SME owner-managers' conceptualisations of practice. 176 Boca Raton: Dissertation.com..
Eine Untersuchung zu Handlungsentwürfen christlicher klein-und mittelständischer Unternehmer in Großbritannien und Deutschland.
Werner, A. 2006. Eine Untersuchung zu Handlungsentwürfen christlicher klein-und mittelständischer Unternehmer in Großbritannien und Deutschland. Forum Wirtschaftsethik. 14 (3), pp. 60-61.
IBE illustrative code of business ethics.
Webley, S. and Werner, A. 2008. IBE illustrative code of business ethics. London Institute of Business Ethics..
Introduction
Spence, L., Werner, A. and Wegner, M. 2004. Introduction. in: Spence, L., Habisch, A. and Schmidpeter, R. (ed.) Responsibility and social capital: the world of small and medium-sized enterprises Houndsmills Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 1-6
Surveying staff on ethical matters: a good practice guide.
Bradshaw, K., Dando, N. and Werner, A. 2008. Surveying staff on ethical matters: a good practice guide. London Institute of Business Ethics..
Governance and social information disclosure - evidence from the UK
Parsa, S., Kouhy, R. and Tzovas, C. 2007. Governance and social information disclosure - evidence from the UK. International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics. 3 (3), pp. 205-222. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBGE.2007.014313
Social reporting by companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market
Parsa, S. and Kouhy, R. 2007. Social reporting by companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market. Journal of Business Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9402-8
Disclosure of social information by small/medium-sized companies.
Parsa, S. 2003. Disclosure of social information by small/medium-sized companies. Global Business & Economics Review. Anthol, pp. 90-104.
Disclosure of governance information by small and medium-sized companies
Parsa, S., Chong, G. and Isimoya, E. 2007. Disclosure of governance information by small and medium-sized companies. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society. 7 (5), pp. 635-648. https://doi.org/10.1108/14720700710827211
Corporate codes of ethics: necessary but not sufficient
Webley, S. and Werner, A. 2008. Corporate codes of ethics: necessary but not sufficient. Business Ethics: A European Review. 17 (4), pp. 405-415. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8608.2008.00543.x
The influence of Christian identity on SME owner-managers' conceptualisations of business practice
Werner, A. 2008. The influence of Christian identity on SME owner-managers' conceptualisations of business practice. Journal of Business Ethics. 82 (2), pp. 449-462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9896-8