The impact of slowbalization on the sustainability of the ready-made garments industry in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh's economic development has been prominently dependent on the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, which accounts for over 80% of the country's total export earnings and provides employment opportunities for millions, mainly women. However, the evolution of slowbalization, characterized by slowing down global trade and regionalizing supply chains, has influenced the sustainability trajectory of this second-largest exporting country of garments in the world. Hence, economic, social, and environmental sustainability pressures have now become newfound challenges confronting the Long-term survival of the RMG industry of Bangladesh. The objective was to investigate the impact of slowbalization on Bangladesh’s RMG sector with an emphasis on three dimensions: economic resilience, social welfare, and environmental responsibility. Identifying actionable insights for manufacturers, policymakers, and international stakeholders in dealing with these changes was also felt necessary. Qualitative research method was adopted. Six industry practitioners, including factory owners, production managers, and buying house representatives, were interviewed in a semi-structured manner. Patterns in stakeholder perceptions were analyzed using a thematic approach. The Triple Bottom Line framework and Stakeholder Theory were used to analyze sustainability outcomes across the sector. Reflexivity was maintained throughout the research process to minimize bias and enhance the validity of the outcomes. It was evinced in the results that slowbalization has instituted cost pressures on manufacturers due to buyer price rigidity, greater compliance demands, and volatile raw materials markets. Lean manufacturing, the consolidation of the supply chain, and selective automation were implemented by the firms in response to that. Social sustainability is supported through ongoing investment in worker training, safety compliance, healthcare benefits, and so on, but challenges lie in securing stable employment in smaller subcontracting units. There have been significant strides, with many factories working toward green certification, installing effluent treatment plants, and low-emission practices, mainly because of buyer demands and concerns for reputation. The RMG industry in Bangladesh is in the midst of a strategic restructuring, with sustainability and resilience being considered competitive necessities rather than optional aspirations. Successful adaptation in collaboration with global buyers, local regulators, and factory leadership can create opportunities to position itself strongly globally by becoming the front-runner in sustainability-oriented manufacturing within the slowbalized economy.