ABSTRACT

This book provides insight into the potential for the market to protect and improve labour standards and working conditions in global apparel supply chains. It examines the possibilities and limitations of market approaches to securing social compliance in global manufacturing industries. It does so by tracing the historic origins of social labelling both in trade union and consumer constituencies, considering industry and consumer perspectives on the benefits and drawbacks of social labelling, comparing efforts to develop and implement labelling initiatives in various countries, and locating social labelling within contemporary debates and controversies about the implications of globalization for workers worldwide. Scholars and students of globalisation, development, corporate social responsibility, human geography, labour and industrial relations, business ethics, consumer behaviour and fashion will find its contents of relevance. CSR practitioners in the clothing and other industries will also find this useful in developing policy with respect to supply chain assurance.

part I|43 pages

Introduction and Historical Overview

chapter 1|20 pages

To Label or Not to Label

Is that the Question?

chapter 2|21 pages

Consumers and Producers

Agency, Power and Social Enfranchisement

part II|74 pages

Social Labels in Comparative Perspective

chapter 3|22 pages

Ethical Branding In Sri Lanka

A Case Study of Garments without Guilt

chapter 4|19 pages

Is There a Business Case for Improving Labor Standards?

Some Evidence from Better Factories Cambodia 1

part III|85 pages

Consumer and Business Perspectives on Social Labeling

chapter 7|19 pages

Identifying and Understanding Ethical Consumer Behavior

Reflections on 15 Years of Research

chapter 8|24 pages

The Strength of Weak Commitments

Market Contexts and Ethical Consumption

chapter 9|19 pages

Social Labeling on the Web

How Fashion Retailers Communicate Information about Labor Practices to Online Consumers

part IV|101 pages

Contemporary Debates and Controversies

chapter 11|19 pages

Providing Direct Economic Benefit to Workers through Fair-Trade Labeling of Apparel

The Fair-Trade USA Apparel and Linens Pilot Project

chapter 12|19 pages

No Access to Justice

The Failure of Ethical Labeling and Certification Systems for Worker Rights

chapter 13|17 pages

Are Social Labels Symbols of Resistance?

A Case for Sweatshop-Free Procurement in the U.S. Public Sector

chapter 14|20 pages

Social Labeling and Supply Chain Reform

The Designated Supplier Program and the Alta Gracia Label

chapter 15|21 pages

Truth in Labeling

Toward a Genuine, Multistakeholder Apparel Social Label

chapter |3 pages

Afterword