At the start of the 21st century manufacturing is in the midst of a major transformation, with goods moving from factories in Sao Paulo, Ho Chi Minh and Guanzhou to the shelves of stores in New York, Hamburg and Sydney. As production of goods has become increasingly global, with an impact on workers and societies around the world, the ILO has sought to answer the challenging question: how best to implement voluntary corporate initiatives in value chains that stretch around the globe from a constantly changing supply base of factories both large and small?

In order to address growing pressures from stakeholders, a number of global companies have adopted codes of conduct with the aim of influencing the practices of their suppliers in less-developed countries and providing a baseline of expected standards. Typically, codes of conduct draw on international labour standards, setting guidelines on a range of issues, including child labour, forced labour, wages and benefits, working hours, disciplinary practices, the right to freedom of association, health and safety, and environmental practices. Notwithstanding the array of initiatives that has emerged, anecdotal evidence suggests that, in many cases, managers both at the company and supplier level have struggled and continue to struggle with the issue of how to implement their codes of conduct.

Based on interviews with hundreds of managers, activists, government officials, factory workers and workers' representatives, Implementing Codes of Conduct represents the most extensive research conducted to date into the emerging nature of corporate social responsibility and global supply chains. Its objective is to provide useful examples and lessons learned to companies, policy-makers and others interested in implementing their own code of conduct or who are actively involved in this field.

This book has broad implications for firms that are serious about seeing the social and environmental objectives expressed in their corporate codes become a reality at the supplier level - implications that stretch from the boardroom to the factory floor. The book presents a model that maps a route from the creation of a vision to its implementation at the operational level. Based on research conducted in the sports footwear, apparel and retail sectors, this book provides a detailed account of the approaches currently used by leading brands and retailers and practical suggestions for other companies to follow in addressing social pressures.

Given an increasingly clear link between corporate social responsibility and profits, this book serves as an invaluable tool in assisting those interested in balancing the complex demands of society and competitive concerns.

Based on interviews with hundreds of managers, activists, government officials, factory workers and workers' representatives, this book represents the most extensive research conducted to date into the emerging nature of corporate social responsibility and global supply chains. "Don't miss this near-encyclopedic resource, filled to the brim with useful information about the chances of making CSR into something real." William C. Frederick

About the Author
Ivanka Mamic is with the International Labour Organization, currently based in Bangkok, Thailand. Her work focuses on supply chain management, corporate social responsibility and relations between workers and managers at the enterprise level. Ivanka has worked for a variety of organisations, both private and public, including the Department of Trade and Industry in the UK and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in Australia on labour-related issues. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland (Australia) as well as a Master's of Philosophy in Development Studies from Queens' College at the University of Cambridge, UK. She is currently implementing a training programme in Viet Nam which aims to demonstrate and document the linkage between good labour practices and improved business performance at the factory level. She is married and has a son, Tomislav, to whom she dedicates this book.

Reviews

The materials used in this study are well selected, organised and up to date. The arguments are cogent and the conclusions convincing ... The book provides guidance to companies, unionists, policy makers, academics and others interested in code implementation. - Development and Change, May 2006 |

| Overwhelmed by the vast array of codes of conduct covering social and environmental behaviour that have emerged over recent years? Uncertain which one is applicable for your company? Then Implementing Codes of Conduct is the book for you. Based on interviews with hundreds of managers, activists, government officials and workers, this 429-page textbook clearly outlines recent initiatives, and more importantly, gives the reader examples and lessons learnt by actual practitioners in the field. A must-read for any practitioner serious about implementing their vision of social responsibility. - Corporate Citizen Briefing, March 2005

Book Information
ISBN 9781874719892
Author Ivanka Mamic
Format Hardback
Page Count 429
Imprint Greenleaf Publishing
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g