The role of formalization in the insertion of social indicators in the supply chain of the popular garnment sector

Abstract: Under the supply chain sustainability debates and seeking to reduce the theoretical gap related to the social sustainability dimension, this research aims to analyze the relation between formalization and the insertion of social indicators in the supply chain of the popular garment sector in Fortaleza-CE. Using the case study strategy, 20 interviews were carried out with enterprises, direct suppliers and outsourced suppliers to cover the direct supply chain. Hence, were analyzed three categories - social responsibility, health and safety, and supplier development - and their 15 indicators. The results indicate that the formalization impacts on the insertion of social indicators, mainly in the category of health and safety. In addition, it was identified the possibility of informal work, even in the formalized companies, which demonstrates the need for a new look at this variable. With empirical demonstration, this study contributes to the study of social indicators in the supply chain and draws attention to informal labour relations in the local context.

摘要：在供应链可持续性（supply chain sustainability）相关研究与讨论不断深化，且致力于填补社会可持续性维度（social sustainability dimension）相关理论空白的背景下，本研究旨在分析巴西塞阿拉州福塔莱萨市大众服装行业（popular garment sector）供应链中，正规化（formalization）程度与社会指标纳入之间的关联。本研究采用案例研究法，对企业、直接供应商及外包供应商开展了20次访谈，以覆盖整条直接供应链。据此，本研究对三大类别——社会责任（social responsibility）、健康与安全（health and safety）及供应商开发（supplier development）——及其所涵盖的15项指标进行了分析。研究结果表明，正规化程度对社会指标的纳入产生显著影响，其中尤以健康与安全类别最为突出。此外，本研究发现即便在已完成正规化的企业中，仍存在非正规就业（informal work）的可能性，这表明需对该变量进行重新审视。本研究通过实证验证，为供应链社会指标相关研究作出了学术贡献，并提请关注当地语境下的非正规劳动关系（informal labour relations）问题。