This study explores how the social and environmental information disclosed by organisations following a crisis is influenced by the institutional environment. Through content analysis, the study examines disclosures of apparel industry organisations after the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh. The study finds that the accountability demonstrated by global apparel buyers following a crisis is attributable to Western cultural expectations and norms, legitimacy concerns and global constituent pressures, while the limited accountability demonstrated by garment suppliers operating in a developing country occurs in response to apparel buyer pressures and business survival concerns.
Purpose
Introducing social sustainability initiatives in the apparel industry is a complex and challenging process. This study aims to investigate the challenges facing Bangladesh apparel supplier organisations in implementing factory safety initiatives.
Design/methodology/approach
This study identifies challenges of implementing social sustainability initiatives of the apparel industry based on a literature review and case-study interviews with senior-level management of apparel supplier organisations.
Findings
The analysis shows significant challenges facing apparel supplier organisations in implementing social sustainability initiatives relate to resource and institutional issues. These challenges are resource management and strategy, cost and financial concerns, as well as cultural, regulation and monitoring issues.
Practical implications
The identified challenges may be useful for policymakers and managers of apparel buyer and supplier organisations to recognise critical issues involved in social initiative implementation and to help improve social sustainability practices of the apparel industry.
Social implications
By addressing the identified issues, stakeholders in the apparel industry can work to ensure improved social sustainability practices in apparel manufacturing factories.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the research on social sustainability practices of the apparel industry by identifying and addressing challenges faced by apparel supplier organisations in implementing social sustainability initiatives in apparel manufacturing factories.
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