About the Program

We examine the role that buyers in global supply chains play in helping vendors uncover productivity-enhancing labor management innovations. We report on a buyer-directed NGO-coordinated factory-based program targeting intestinal parasites and anemia in seven Bangalore apparel factories. Raw pre-post productivity comparisons were confounded by factory organizational changes that were implemented in anticipation of the termination of the Multi Fiber Arrangement (MFA). Using a difference-in-difference-in-difference (DDD) estimator, a full complement of medically appropriate treatment was found to increase individual productivity of anemic workers by 8% relative to non-anemic workers.

Working Papers

Forthcoming.

Publications

“Poor but not powerless: Women workers in production chain factories in China.” Ma, Lang, & Jacobs, Francine. (2010).  Journal of Adolescent Research, 25(6), 839-857

“Human Resource Management Technology Diffusion through Global Supply Chains: Buyer-directed Factory-based Health Care in India.” Drusilla Brown, Thomas Downes, Karen Eggleston, Ratna Kumari. World Development Vol 37, Issue 9, September 2009, pages 1484-1493.

Funders

The Global Alliance for Workers and Communities