Rules in the light, voices in the dark: exploring pressures and exploitation disclosure behaviour in ready-made garment suppliers

Abstract

Purpose The study aims to examine how macro-level pressures drive the adoption of modern slavery prevention mechanisms (MSPMs), how meso-level organisational contextual factors shape their effectiveness, and how MSPMs, in turn, influence micro-level (non)disclosure behaviour of workers at ready-made garment suppliers in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research design and an abductive approach were employed in this study. Data were collected through 45 semi-structured interviews with workers, managers, trade union representatives, lawyers, and non-governmental organisation officers, and were complemented by secondary sources. The analysis drew on institutional theory and the theory of planned behaviour to explore macro-level pressures, meso-level organisational contextual factors, and micro-level workers' exploitation (non)disclosure behaviour. Findings The study shows that macro-level pressures such as market access, professional legitimacy, and competitiveness drive suppliers to adopt MSPMs, including grievance and preventive policies, digitalised systems, and training programmes. However, meso-level organisational contextual factors (weak management commitment, cost and time pressures, and fragmented control across supply chains) undermine their effectiveness, resulting in symbolic implementation of MSPMs. At the micro-level, these symbolic MSPMs shape workers' socio-psychological conditions, manifested in negative attitudes, unsupportive social norms, and low perceived behavioural control, leading to non-disclosure behaviour of exploitation. Originality/value This study develops a multi-level framework and empirical explanation of MSPMs by demonstrating how symbolic implementation at the meso-level translates macro-level pressures into micro-level non-disclosure behaviour through workers' socio-psychological conditions. In doing so, it extends the focus of both research and practice from the adoption of MSPMs to their effectiveness in supply chains.

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