ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a qualitative investigation of management-worker relations in the textile, garment and footwear industry (TGF) sector in two countries, Vietnam and South Africa with different political, cultural and economic systems. The areas of stakeholder engagement and 'relationship management' are under-researched not least when it comes to studying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Stakeholder theory as formulated by Freeman has made an important contribution to management studies and to the exploration and understanding of the field of CSR. A minor body of literature has addressed the ontological considerations of relationship management through the concept of 'stakeholder engagement'. The chapter offers a two-country study in the manufacturing industry, where management-labour communication is crucial among SMEs in developing countries. It argues that the differences are mostly due to the industry differences, government regulation and unions as well as political, historical and cultural factors.
