Article: Understanding compliance management practices of ready-made garment industries in Bangladesh: revisiting the challenges and pathways Journal: International Journal of Critical Accounting (IJCA) 2025 Vol.14 No.2 pp.187 - 202 Abstract: This study examines the challenges faced by ready-made garment (RMG) suppliers regarding social compliance and strategies to overcome those challenges. Based on a structured questionnaire, a survey was conducted among 187 compliance/HR managers of RMG suppliers. The study identified 21 challenges under five key challenges such as organisational capability, economic and financial issues, socio-cultural barriers, and labour management issues. Out of 21 challenges, 17 were statistically significant. Besides, this study explored 11 statistically significant strategies to address these challenges. RMG suppliers, buyers, policymakers, and other stakeholder having a stake on the assurance of social compliance should design policies and regulations that facilitate and promote safe and secure workplace environment. Concerted efforts from the buyers, owners, managers, and regulators are needed to eliminate challenges by adopting the strategies. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Understanding compliance management practices of ready-made garment industries in Bangladesh: revisiting the challenges and pathways

Authors: Mahi Uddin; Md. Iftekhar Arif; Nazamul Hoque; Afzal Ahmad

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), Kumira, Sitakundo, Chittagong, Bangladesh ' Institute of Education and Research, Chittagong Universit, Hathajari, Chittagong, Bangladesh ' Department of Business Administration, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), Kumira, Sitakundo, Chittagong, Bangladesh ' Department of Business Administration, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), Kumira, Sitakundo, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract: This study examines the challenges faced by ready-made garment (RMG) suppliers regarding social compliance and strategies to overcome those challenges. Based on a structured questionnaire, a survey was conducted among 187 compliance/HR managers of RMG suppliers. The study identified 21 challenges under five key challenges such as organisational capability, economic and financial issues, socio-cultural barriers, and labour management issues. Out of 21 challenges, 17 were statistically significant. Besides, this study explored 11 statistically significant strategies to address these challenges. RMG suppliers, buyers, policymakers, and other stakeholder having a stake on the assurance of social compliance should design policies and regulations that facilitate and promote safe and secure workplace environment. Concerted efforts from the buyers, owners, managers, and regulators are needed to eliminate challenges by adopting the strategies.

Keywords: challenges; strategies; social compliance; RMG suppliers; Bangladesh.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCA.2025.144634

International Journal of Critical Accounting, 2025 Vol.14 No.2, pp.187 - 202

Received: 23 Oct 2021
Accepted: 04 Jul 2022
Published online: 25 Feb 2025 *

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Title: Understanding compliance management practices of ready-made garment industries in Bangladesh: revisiting the challenges and pathways

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