Motivators of fair labor management and the role of top management in the US clothing/footwear industry

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of motivational factors (suppliers and workers are important stakeholders and corporate image concern) on fair labor management (FLM) and the mediating role of top‐management commitment in the relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses from sourcing managers of US clothing and footwear companies were gathered through a mail survey and analyzed using a mediated regression analysis and a structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

Both the norms in which suppliers and workers are important stakeholders and concern regarding corporate image were significantly related to FLM. The relationship between corporate image concern and FLM was mediated by top‐management commitment and that the relationship between the importance of suppliers and their workers as stakeholders and FLM was partially mediated by top‐management commitment.

Practical implications

Results suggest that changes in the norm, where suppliers and workers are accepted as important stakeholders of the firm, have a direct influence on FLM and that top‐management is requisite in executing FLM orientation and actions in the firms as a response to changing norms and growing pressure in the society regarding labor issues.

Originality/value

Organizational condition for the two commonly cited drivers of FLM to work was discovered.

Citation

Park, H. and Rees, K. (2008), "Motivators of fair labor management and the role of top management in the US clothing/footwear industry", Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 487-501. https://doi.org/10.1108/13612020810906146