Linking strategic logistics change to labor rights

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to describe how research literature and logistics practitioners respectively describe the link between logistics and corporate social responsibility, focusing on the link between strategic logistics change (location, capacity and number of facilities as well as the design of supplier and customer network) and labor rights.Design/methodology/approachA literature review on the topics corporate social responsibility, green logistics and sustainable supply chain management was performed. A mail survey (103 respondents) was conducted in order to explore how strategic logistics changes have influenced corporate social responsibility. Step‐wise regression analyses were used to identify relationships between strategic logistics decision making and the influence on labor rights.FindingsThere is a general unanimity in literature that logistics is an important area with regards to corporate social responsibility. Eight significant relations were identified linking strategic logistics changes to changes in the consideration of labor rights.Practical implicationsThe study provides an understanding of how corporate social responsibility, focusing on labor rights, is influenced by strategic logistics changes. This can increase the understanding and the need for taking labor rights aspects into consideration in strategic logistics decision making as well as identification of what aspects of labor rights that are most important to consider in different types of logistics changes.Originality/valueThis study shows the importance of considering social responsible aspects regarding labor rights in strategic logistics decision making. Furthermore, as the empirical data are based on a Swedish sample it is an important complement to current, often American, studies within the field.

Logistics service providers and corporate social responsibility: sustainability reporting in the logistics industry

“…The explorative study by Murphy and Poist (2002) showed that safe movement and storage of goods, as well as employee health and safety are of great importance to practitioners. Other social aspects of CSR discussed in the logistics literature include workforce diversity (Andre, 1995, Lynagh et al, 1999, job satisfaction and working conditions (Min and Lambert, 2002), ethics (Razzaque and Hwee, 2002, Maloni and Brown, 2006, Pretious and Love, 2006, Miao et al, 2012, and human and labour rights (Björklund, 2010). Perry and Towers (2013) present a discussion of a wide range of social aspects of CSR in their attempt to develop a framework for CSR implementation in fashion supply chains.…”

Social Issues in Supply Chain Sustainability – Focus Areas for Energy and Manufacturing sectors in India and USA

“…Figure 2,3 5, 6, 10 and 17 responses influence the consumer boycott behavior. C: According to Björklund (2010), if firms start taking labor/employee rights-focused, socially responsible supply chain decisions, in scenarios like vendor selection, the understanding of the importance of labor rights can be improved and soon persistent issue that linger in spite of legal challenges can be tackled. Figure 3 and 4 demonstrates that while most employees strongly agree on the importance of this as a social issue, their confidence on engagement from the firm is rather limited.…”

“…Of the many issues, Table 1 identifies those of the highest impact reviews, and each is briefly described. Björklund, 2010;Markley & Davis, 2007;Ansett, 2007D Employment Discrimination Roscigno, 2019E Ethics Morais, 2017Ellis & Higgins, 2006;Kolk andVan Tuldere, 2002 F Fair trade andtransparency Olorunniwo &Peters et al, 2011G Gender Morais, 2017Mani et al, 2015;Yawar andSeuring, 2017 H Health, safety andwellbeing Mani et al, 2015;Markley & Davis, 2007;Morais, 2017;Yawar and Seuring, 2017;Closs et al, 2011;Pullman et al, 2009I Housing Mani et al, 2015Read et al, 2012 J Human rights violation Yawar andSeuring, 2017;Klassen and Vereecke, 2012;Mani et al, 2015;Morais, 2017 K Labor conditions Klassen andVereecke, 2012;Yawar and Seuring, 2017;Ageron et al, 2012;Leire and Mont, 2009;Smith, 2007;Matos & Hall, 2007L Local community empowerment Simões, 2014Morais, 2017 Mani et al, 2015;Kumar and Rahman, 2015;Yawar and Seuring, 2017;Hall, 2007 Z Work-life balance Kumar and…”

A New Methodology for Supply Chain Management: Discourse Analysis and its Potential for Theoretical Advancement

“…The discourse can be traced back to the 1950s (Carroll, ), although its appearance in SCM is more recent (e.g., Andersen & Skjoett‐Larsen, ; Carter, , ; Carter & Jennings, , , ; Jørgensen, Pruzan‐Jørgensen, Jungk & Cramer, ; Maloni & Brown, ; Park‐Poaps & Rees, ; Phillips & Caldwell, ). However, the implementation of CSR practices remains limited in SCM (see Björklund, ) and, unlike lean, there is little evidence of a dominant discourse that has been translated into institutionalized SCM practices.From a discourse‐analytic perspective, we can see that the limited application of CSR in SCM results from a discursive struggle among businesses, academics, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) concerning what CSR means. Many academics and NGOs call for a strong form of CSR premised on the idea that many production, consumption, and employment practices used in business are unethical and unsustainable.…”