Development of responsibility in Bangladesh garment industry
Hiltunen, Tiia (2020)
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020120726610
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020120726610
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this research is to study how have responsible sourcing actions of European clothing companies impacted the development of responsibility in Bangladesh garment industry.
Bangladesh has had the image of being only a low-cost production country, where social responsibility is not in focus and regulation is loose. The 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza building, housing also garment factories, has been the biggest turning point for the Bangladesh garment industry. A lot of good progress has happened since. This thesis presents the main steps taken regarding responsibility issues.
The study is conducted as qualitative research. Theoretical framework for this thesis is collected from public information provided by international organizations, industry literature and reports, as well as interviews of client company Tokmanni’s Product Line Managers. The empirical section consists of data collected from interviews of representatives of Tokmanni’s Bangladesh garment suppliers. Interviews were conducted as semi-structured interviews. The data was processed through thematic data analysis coding.
Research shows that Bangladesh is highly dependent on its garment industry. The extensive growth of the garment industry has had a significant impact in Bangladesh’s economic and social development. Due to pressure from customer companies, Bangladesh garment industry has taken large steps towards more responsible business procedures and culture. Besides customer companies, the internal responsibility work of Bangladesh garment industry and government is contributing to the progress.
The responsibility initiatives, compliance systems and demands of European clothing companies have impacted greatly into responsibility development of Bangladesh garment industry, for example in terms of building safety, safer working environment and fair treatment of workers. Even though the development is slow, Bangladesh garment industry can rise to the level of global standards.
Bangladesh has had the image of being only a low-cost production country, where social responsibility is not in focus and regulation is loose. The 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza building, housing also garment factories, has been the biggest turning point for the Bangladesh garment industry. A lot of good progress has happened since. This thesis presents the main steps taken regarding responsibility issues.
The study is conducted as qualitative research. Theoretical framework for this thesis is collected from public information provided by international organizations, industry literature and reports, as well as interviews of client company Tokmanni’s Product Line Managers. The empirical section consists of data collected from interviews of representatives of Tokmanni’s Bangladesh garment suppliers. Interviews were conducted as semi-structured interviews. The data was processed through thematic data analysis coding.
Research shows that Bangladesh is highly dependent on its garment industry. The extensive growth of the garment industry has had a significant impact in Bangladesh’s economic and social development. Due to pressure from customer companies, Bangladesh garment industry has taken large steps towards more responsible business procedures and culture. Besides customer companies, the internal responsibility work of Bangladesh garment industry and government is contributing to the progress.
The responsibility initiatives, compliance systems and demands of European clothing companies have impacted greatly into responsibility development of Bangladesh garment industry, for example in terms of building safety, safer working environment and fair treatment of workers. Even though the development is slow, Bangladesh garment industry can rise to the level of global standards.