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Purpose: There is a dearth of empirical research examining the influence of various facets of sustainable banking on the environmental sustainability performance (SP) of banks in developing economies like Bangladesh. This study looks at how green banking practices (GBPs), green finance (GF) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices affect SP in both direct and indirect ways. Design/methodology/approach: The research framework of this study was designed based on legitimacy theory to examine the direct and indirect impacts of GBP on environmental SP through GF and CSR practices. Based on a structured questionnaire and convenience sampling, the data were collected from banking institutions to investigate the association among the study variables. Subsequently, the obtained data were evaluated using a well-established structural equation modeling (SEM) approach via SmartPls 4.0 software. Findings: The empirical findings reveal that GBP has a significant direct impact on GF, CSR practices and the banks' SP. Further, the findings show that GF has a direct and significant impact on CSR practices and SP. Likewise, CSR practices have a direct and significant influence on the SP of banks. Additionally, among indirect effects, both CSR practices and GF mediate the association between GBP and SP, whereas GF also has an indirect effect on the relationship between GBP and CSR practices. Surprisingly, the findings demonstrate that CSR practices do not have an indirect effect on the association between GF and SP. Hence, the greater the bank's involvement in green banking activities, the greater the influence of green financing and CSR practices on environmental sustainability. Originality/value: This study adds to the growing body of research in the areas of sustainable banking and environmental sustainability literature by evaluating the link between GBP, CSR practices, GF and SP. Besides, this is a ground-breaking study that examines both direct and indirect effects of different aspects of sustainable banking (GBP, GF and CSR practices) on the SP of the banking industry in an emerging country like Bangladesh. On the theoretical level, it adds to the application and expansion of legitimacy theory in the sphere of banking and finance. It provides new insights into the dynamics of green banking, GF and CSR practices within the framework of legitimacy theory. Hence, the current study offers significant suggestions to managers, academicians and researchers on how to advance the sustainability of the banking industry by adopting green banking, GF and CSR practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annually, work‐related mortality is responsible for 5–7% of all global deaths, and at least 1‐in‐9 workers experience nonfatal occupational accidents (ILO (2019a,b)). Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) committees are considered the key worker voice institution through which to improve workplace safety and health (ILO (1981)). I present evidence of OSH committees' causal effects on workers and on factories. To do so, I collaborated with 29 multinational apparel buyers that committed to enforce a local mandate for OSH committees on their suppliers in Bangladesh. With the buyers, I implemented a nearly year‐long field experiment with 84 supplier factories, randomly enforcing the mandate on half. The buyers' intervention increased compliance with the OSH committee law. Exploiting the experimental variation in OSH committees' strength, I find that stronger OSH committees had small, positive effects on objective measures of safety. These improvements did not come at a cost to workers in terms of wages or employment or to factories in terms of labor productivity. The effects on compliance, safety, and voice were largest for factories with better managerial practices. Factories with worse practices did not improve, and workers in these factories reported lower job satisfaction; this finding suggests complementarity between external enforcement and internal capacity in determining the efficacy of regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of trust on the CSR and brand-equity nexus in the banking sector of Bangladesh. Using the convenient sampling method and structured questionnaire, the study conducted an online survey of 275 customers of private commercial banks from Bangladesh. This study applied structural equation modelling (SEM) to define the complete structural model to analyse the direct and indirect relationships between study constructs. The results reveal a positive and significant impact of CSR on brand equity. Regarding the mediating effect of trust, the study found a significant impact of trust on the CSR components and the brand-equity nexus. The study's outcomes enrich the existing literature as a dimension of trust is added as mediating effect on the CSR and brand equity relationship in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the collapse of the Rana Plaza building killed over a thousand garment workers in 2013, several transnational corporations partnered with nongovernmental organizations to offer factory-based training initiatives for women in Bangladesh. These programmes promote worthy goals, including women's empowerment, menstrual health and financial literacy. But textual and visual analysis of lesson plans, awareness posters and instructional videos for workers reveal two mechanisms that undermine transformative change: They splinter worker solidarity through a focus on individualistic self-improvement (self-help) and facilitate business-as-usual by selectively revealing and concealing aspects of workers' lives (surveillance). This study highlights the worker-facing side of corporate social responsibility and transnational business feminism's turn toward empowerment education. These programmes purport to be good for business and for women. However, the training materials provide women with what I call 'band aid' remedies by telling women how to fix themselves and by strategically covering or exposing their problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's global business landscape, the concepts of green financing and green tax have become pivotal instruments for fostering environmentally responsible practices. The purpose of 20this study is to comprehensively assess how green financing and green tax collectively influence CSR through various dimensions, including employees, customers, and communities. This research employs a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, which allows for a rigorous analysis of the complex relationships between the variables involved. Data is collected through surveys, enabling a quantitative evaluation of the impacts and interdependencies. The results indicate that green financing has a positive and significant impact on CSR through customer (β = 0.609), employee (β = 0.522), and community (β = 0.509) dimensions. The results also show that green tax has a positive and significant impact on CSR through customer (β = 0.183), employee (β = 0.182), and community (β = 0.296) dimensions. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of how green financing and green tax practices correlate with CSR, both separately and collectively. The implications of this research extend to multiple stakeholders. For businesses, the results offer strategic insights into how environmentally conscious financial practices align with CSR objectives. Policymakers can draw upon the findings to craft effective regulatory frameworks that incentivize sustainable business behavior. Additionally, stakeholders gain valuable insights into how businesses can harmonize economic success with environmental stewardship, promoting engagement with socially responsible entities. This research marks a distinct contribution to the academic landscape by delving into the synergistic impact of green financing and green tax on CSR, particularly within the distinctive context of Bangladesh. In doing so, it successfully addresses a noticeable void within the existing literature, providing fresh insights into the intricate dynamics and opportunities confronting businesses in developing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Corporate corruption reporting (CCR) is an emerging issue of the corporation for measuring transparency, integrity and accountability to the stakeholders and society. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of CCR and financial management responsibility regarding the issue of corruption control. Design/methodology/approach: To explore the influences of corruption disclosure, this study considers the keywords-based content analysis of the listed financial firms of the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Bangladesh for 2012–2016. The research considers stakeholders and theoretical legitimacy lens for discussing corporate corruption disclosure. This study identified 143 self-driven keywords by classifying, analyzing and selecting the appropriate large set of keywords from the prior literature. This study examines 247 firm-year observations of all financial firms in Bangladesh using secondary data sources. Findings: The results of the hierarchical regression analysis report that financial firms following Sharia principles have a negative and significant association with CCR, while Big4 has a positive and significant influence. Moreover, the interaction effect of Big4 on the relationship between Sharia principles and CCR is negative and insignificant. The findings reported that Islamic financial firms disclose less corruption information than conventional financial firms in Bangladesh. Practical implications: This study findings are expected to significantly impact corporate management and policymakers of developing and highly corrupted economies to enhance corporate accountability, transparency and reputation. The regulatory body can consider the findings to promulgate anti-corruption reporting rules and regulations. Originality/value: The authors believe the theoretical lens used to support the method and findings of this paper are unique and novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: No abundan los estudios sobre modelos innovadores de regulación laboral privada en las redes mundiales de producción de prendas de vestir. Este artículo trata de remediar esa deficiencia examinando los aspectos estructurales conflictivos del Acuerdo sobre la Protección contra Incendios y la Seguridad de los Edificios en Bangladesh: 1) su condición jurídica vinculante, 2) un órgano de gobierno equilibrado en cuanto a la representación de los trabajadores, 3) una masa crítica corporativa y 4) la transparencia. El análisis arroja luz sobre los mecanismos híbridos de gobernanza, que combinan la acción cooperativa de varias organizaciones con la dinámica tradicional capital‐trabajo para influir en la regulación laboral con enfoques nuevos y contradictorios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study looked into the scope of integrating the aspirations of zakah and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to counter poverty, inequity, illiteracy, malnutrition and environmental pollution to ensure peace, happiness, prosperity and sustainability as envisaged in sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach: This is a qualitative research study conducted using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 29 business enterprises in Bangladesh employing a semi-structured interview protocol. The secondary data were collected through content analysis of annual reports, websites and CSR publications of sample organizations. Finally, collected qualitative data have been analyzed thematically following the due procedures to address the research questions. Findings: The findings reveal that integration of the aspirations of zakah and CSR is a convenient and wholehearted approach for entrepreneurs resulting in pursuing SDGs. In addition, business entrepreneurs in Bangladesh consider such practices as killing two birds with one stone because this approach warrants performing both religious and social obligations simultaneously. Interestingly, the study explores that shariah compliance acts as a guiding force for selecting well-being-oriented projects in zakah-funded CSR resulting in pursuing the priority goals – No Poverty (1), Zero Hunger (2) – of SDGs, thereby addressing some of the most critical issues of emerging economies such as Bangladesh. Practical implications: The findings of this research can be used as a guide to incorporate the spirit and principle of zakah into the CSR programs aimed at pursuing SDGs mainly in Muslim countries representing one-fourth of the world population. Originality/value: Integration of the aspirations of zakah and CSR is an innovative move and net addition to the literature on sustainability, CSR and zakah because Muslim business entrepreneurs will now conveniently be able to use the entrepreneurs' zakah money – readily available in each financial year – to fund the entrepreneurs' various CSR projects (within shariah framework) relating to poverty alleviation, humanitarian and disaster relief, health and sanitation and environmental conservation which will eventually contribute to pursuing various SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In recent years, Islamic banking (IB) has received a lot of scholarly interest, as seen by the substantial increase in publications on the subject worldwide. The increasing rate of publications on IB indicates that this subject has attracted a substantial amount of scholarly attention. It has also been a prioritized topic for many banking and financial scholars in Bangladesh. This paper aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to assess the research on IB in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach: The method used in this study is a bibliometric analysis of the sample literature collected in January 2022 from the SCOPUS database. The sample size of the study is 120 articles published between 1999 and 2021 which meet the specific selection criteria. To analyze the data, software such as Rstudio (Rshiny), Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer have been used. The analyses were performed in three broad categories: overall performance indicators, citation analysis and cross-dimensional keyword analysis, followed by a brief content analysis that identifies research streams. Findings: This paper shows a notable increase in the number of publications between 2012 and 2021 with Alam M.K. being the highest contributor to this momentum publishing 12 articles. The findings also highlight the most contributing countries, organizations, publications, articles, sources and subjects. Out of 120 articles, this study has identified 14 research streams that have already been investigated by previous authors. The research streams include the growth of IB in Bangladesh; corporate social responsibility; Islamic human resource management; comparative study; customer satisfaction; development issues; efficiency of Islamic banks; green banking; Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited; IB industry; Islamic finance; Islamic microfinance; Shariah governance; and theoretical aspects of IB in Bangladesh. This study further identified future research agenda with specific research questions. Research limitations/implications: This research is limited to journal articles published in English in Scopus-indexed publications. Further research could include various databases, such as the Web of Science, and increase studied units. While this study focused only on bibliometric analysis and research streams, future studies may center on the systematic review of articles published on specific topics. Originality/value: Although IB is a rising sector in the financial system of Bangladesh, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of IB in Bangladesh. The 14 research streams identified in this study also uniquely provide 10 future research agendas with 39 specific research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates sustainable reporting practices of telecommunication companies in Bangladesh to determine their current profile and trends. Annual reports have been analyzed using guidelines from International Organization for Standardization (ISO 26000) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The study covers three DSE-listed companies over a span of seven years (2016-2022) and constructs an index. The disclosure of sustainable reporting practices in telecommunication companies is increasing over time in Bangladesh. We believe there are two motivating factors behind these trends. First, the guidelines from Bangladesh Security and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and, second, the general public and investors are increasingly interested in seeing this occur. The reporting index has increased because of both volunteer and regulatory initiatives. However, we expose some limitations. Reporting is completely done for only three telecommunication companies, but other non-listed telecommunication companies should also be added. Additionally, the collection of primary data on corporate social responsibility activities could offer deeper insights for future studies. This study creates an opportunity for the telecommunication companies to learn about the trend of the sustainable reporting practices. However, telecommunication companies are more concerned about corporate governance than their commitment towards society. Finally, the regulatory body can get a depiction of sustainable reporting of this particular sector for future decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become widely recognized as an integral aspect of firms' financial performance and practices. Consequently, the relationship between CSR and financial performance has been subject to scrutiny. This study aims to investigate this correlation by examining the listed banks in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) in Bangladesh. The research encompasses 135 observations from 27 banks, covering the period from 2016 to 2020. Data for the study were collected from the annual reports of the respective banks. To explore the association between the variables, a random effect regression model was employed based on the Hausman test. The findings reveal a significant positive impact of total assets and net profit on CSR. This suggests that companies find it beneficial to engage in corporate social responsibilities. Moreover, the results demonstrate that CSR serves as a valuable and backward resource, contributing to the creation of a competitive advantage for corporations. The outcomes of this study align with and reinforce the conclusions of previous research. This research confirms that CSR positively influences financial performance, as evidenced by the significant relationship observed between total assets and net profit with CSR. The study underscores the value of being socially responsible and highlights how CSR can be leveraged as a competitive advantage for companies. The findings add to the existing body of knowledge on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a culture like Bangladesh where social trust is low and corporate philanthropy is rare, corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagements of the banking sector have been in a conspicuously upward trend. It begs the question of whether the galvanization of CSR expenditure is validated by financial motivations or a genuine thirst for corporate philanthropy. The literature on the relationship between CSR and corporate financial performance (CFP) is without any overarching consensus. From an emotional viewpoint, we revere corporate philanthropy without necessarily analyzing its financial merits. This study extends the contemporary CSR literature horizon by examining 30 listed banks in Bangladesh from the years 2006 through 2018, with particular emphasis on methodology that attempts to validate the CSRCFP relationship. In addition to examining the bidirectional causality between CSR and financial returns using Panel Vector Autoregression, the study examines the factor determinants of CSR. The study finds that better CFP leads to more CSR expenditure, but CSR expenditure does not necessarily influence CFP. Moreover, net income, total deposits, return on asset, and previous year's CSR have a significant positive relationship with CSR whereas firm age has a significant negative relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While corporate social responsibility (CSR) research and practice has expanded and evolved rapidly in recent years, little is known about how MNC subsidiaries develop their CSR strategies and how they reconcile global and local demands and pressures from both institutions and stakeholders. The paper aims to understand how institutions and stakeholder pressures interact at both national and international levels and how these interactions shape MNC subsidiaries' CSR in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach: Multiple case studies were used to investigate the CSR practices of 10 MNC subsidiaries operating in Bangladesh. To collect data, twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. For supplementing primary data, secondary data from annual reports and websites were collected. Findings: The article demonstrates that the practice of CSR in Bangladesh is a result of pressures exerted by parent companies, international institutions and international stakeholders. The article reveals how lack of pressure from local stakeholders and institutions enables subsidiaries to gain traction and use their agency to apply globalised CSR conceptualisations not necessarily applicable to the localised context. Originality/value: The study has synthesised existing approaches to develop a multilevel framework for understanding how the intricate interactions between institutions and stakeholders from different levels (i.e. national and international levels) determine the trajectory of CSR adopted by subsidiaries in developing countries. This interaction undoubtedly plays a key role in determining the types of CSR strategy being enacted, the potential agency of different actors to shape change and the extent to which such pressures are likely to lead to CSR strategies that actually reflect and respond to the needs of local stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the economic impact of COVID-19 and analyse how the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Islami banks (IBs) can contribute to reducing the adverse economic impact in the context of Bangladesh. Design/Methodology/approach: Currently eight full-fledged IBs are functioning in Bangladesh adhering to the underlying principles of Shariah; among them, seven are actively engaged in CSR activities to help the underprivileged segments of its citizens. This study, through employing a content analysis method examined the information available from these IBs as well as other government sources and published materials to address the COVID-19 economic impacts, specially the role of these IBs. Findings: This study finds that along the line with national and international funds, IBs' CSR funds can also help address the economic downturn in Bangladesh caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further identified that if IBs develop a consortium among themselves, the CSR funds can be better utilised for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Research limitations/implications: The scope of this study is somehow limited, as it has only considered the impact of CSR funds by IBs in Bangladesh. Further research can be conducted in future considering the total CSR funds by all banks, i.e., conventional and Islamic banks. Practical implications: This study demonstrated that IBs spend USD 83.30 million annually, which means USD 417 in five years period. Based on the recommendations of this study, all IBs may work together to develop a joint CSR strategy for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Considering Bangladesh's poverty level, such a joint CSR strategy would be helpful for the vulnerable population of the country. Originality/value: This study is unique in the sense that it seeks to address the economic challenges of COVID-19 in the context of Bangladesh with support from the CSR initiatives of IBs. This study has created a new insight for IBs into developing an integrated CSR strategy, which is expected to bring significant contributions to the livelihood of the susceptible citizens of this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates the effectiveness of trade unions in preserving and promoting the rights of the worker, and being their voice in ensuring safe working conditions as part of the firms' CSR activities. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from employees, managers, and owners of ready-made garments firms in Bangladesh. An open-ended survey instrument was used and distributed widely. Analysis of the 200 responses was undertaken using the qualitative narrative technique. Findings: The findings show that, unlike traditional labor-management relations, in Bangladesh managers tend to have a more favorable attitude towards unions than employees do. The strong political links between the factory owners and the unions' leadership raise questions about whose interest the unions represent. Practical implications: The authors highlight how adopting a CSR agenda can help unions make better representations on behalf of their members. This, in turn, can enhance the workforce's efficiency and help strengthen the sector to develop processes to help face disruptions like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value: The study is unique in addressing the role of unions in promoting CSR activities in emerging economies, where the formal institutional application remains limited. The study's findings can help explain some of the sector's challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the impacts of both Sharīʿah supervision and corporate social responsibility on banks' risk-taking behavior and profitability. The analysis empirically uses dynamic and balanced panel data from 12 banks of Bangladesh for 2010–2019. Design/methodology/approach: Dynamic panel generalized method of moments has been used primarily to examine the effects of Sharīʿah supervision and corporate social responsibility on risk-taking behavior and profitability. Later, the authors validate the core results using three-stage least squares and incorporates alternative risk and profitability measures in the baseline equation. Findings: This study finds that Sharīʿah supervision heterogeneously derives benefits for Islamic banks and Islamic windows. Though there is no significant impact of female diversity on risk relying on board diversification, the bank can strengthen profitability. On the one hand, the annual changes in board composition reduce (increase) risk (financial and stability efficiency) but compromise profitability. Notably, socially responsible banks have been characterized as risk-averse and better stabilized (in terms of solvency and efficiency), more efficient and profitable. Originality/value: Very few studies are available in the current literature which examine the impacts of Sharīʿah supervision and corporate social responsibility on either bank performance or risk-taking in the developing economy's context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of literature is devoted to understanding the drivers of companies' corporate social responsibility strategies in developing countries. However, little is known about how institutions and stakeholders located at both international and local levels collectively shape the corporate social responsibility communication of MNC subsidiaries in their host countries. Drawing upon the framework proposed by Lee, this study addresses this gap in the context of Bangladesh. A series of semi-structured interviews as well as secondary data from annual reports and company websites are used to identify the roles that parent companies, international institutions and international stakeholders play in shaping local subsidiary corporate social responsibility communication. Contrary to the expectations derived from the literature, the findings show that despite the presence of institutional voids and limited pressure from local stakeholders, MNC subsidiaries engage in corporate social responsibility activities and employ corporate social responsibility communication, albeit instrumentally, in order to acquire business benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the Bangladeshi garment industry that supplies ready-made garments for global brands and the corporate social responsibilities (CSRs) of the brands/multinational corporations (MNCs) towards their supply chains. Although outsourcing and global trade have boosted the living standards of many people in the Bangladeshi garment industry, there are some significant concerns regarding the working conditions and treatment of workers in these supply chains. This, in turn, cannot, and should not, be detached from the legal relationship between the Bangladeshi supply chains and the MNCs contracting with them. This article examines the impact of COVID-19, which has exposed the fragility and the pre-existing flaws in the relationship between the MNCs and their suppliers more clearly than at any other time in history. There is a huge governance gap between MNCs and supply chains that needs to be addressed urgently. This article assesses the legality of the cancellation of orders by the brands that invoked the force majeure clause. In doing so, this paper briefly deals with the responses of three American retail companies, namely Sears, Kohl's, and the Arcadia Group, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It illustrates that the power asymmetry between the MNCs and their suppliers has put the supply chains in an unreasonably disadvantageous position, creating unfair and even unconscionable conduct by several MNCs. This article also looks at solutions for the existing problems, focusing, inter alia, on non-financial reporting requirements in the US and the EU to implement CSR in supply chains. However, disappointingly, the authors had to conclude that MNCs typically have the propensity to disregard CSR, whenever it is convenient for them and use CSR for mere "greenwashing" purposes for their strategic benefit only. It is a problem that requires constant attention and continuing research to find long-term solutions. The article employs doctrinal methodology and, by conducting a meta-analysis of literature and case-studies, it provides a comprehensive understanding of how the industry works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the empirical data of heavily polluting companies in Bangladesh from 2010 to 2019, this paper conducts an empirical analysis of changes in the financial background of top management on the performance of social responsibilities of heavily polluting companies. Results from the analysis among 212 listed companies on the Dhaka Stock Exchange indicate a significant negative correlation between changes in the financial backgrounds of top management and their performance on social responsibilities. In heavily polluting firms, corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance will deteriorate after the takeover of a new financial expert CEO. Furthermore, the present study found that internal control has a significant negative and moderating effect on the above relationship. As a result, the higher the quality of internal control, the smaller the negative impact of the change in the turnover of financial expert CEO on CSR performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's main aim is to investigate IBBL's CSR initiatives, employee awareness, and CSR activities. This research is focused on an in-depth analysis of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited's CSR activities in Bangladesh. Corporate social responsibility clearly enables companies to participate in social and philanthropic initiatives that foster sustainable and long-term social development. The paper concludes that CSR activities are gradually permeating industries and will eventually become a significant factor in market access. The findings suggest that CSR is essential, not only for enhancing workplace rights, community welfare, respect for employees, and managing the environment, but also for growth in global markets. This study contributes to the growing need for greater transparency and understanding of CSR practices designed to benefit society and its members. The majority of banks are averse to disclosing specific information. Many people are unfamiliar with this form of job. Due to the regional branches' inability to adequately represent the current state of affairs, not all research data was provided. Further research in the banking sector should be conducted to ascertain the motivation for these voluntary disclosures as disclosed in company reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory building in Bangladesh, which resulted in the loss of at least 1134 lives and injuries to hundreds more, exposed the brutality of a global production system in which labour rights have become privatised, circumscribed, and deterritorialised. Unprecedented for an incident of its kind, affected families received $30 million in "compensation" from global apparel companies through the Rana Plaza Arrangement, a voluntary initiative overseen by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This article situates the Arrangement in debates over labour rights in global supply chains, presenting it as a hybrid mechanism that recognises workers' right to compensation for injury or death but relies on the voluntarism of corporate social responsibility for funding. Exploring the complex role of neoliberal regulation in reproducing geographies of uneven development, I show how a transnational initiative can restrict labour rights even as it attempts to expand such rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article integrates the global value chain literature with the micro organization literature on negative emotions to explore the drivers of fear and anger among supplier factory senior managers in apparel supply chains after Rana Plaza—a major industrial disaster—and their influence on decisions on CSR practices. Based on a comparative study around Dhaka and Lahore—two key apparel manufacturing hubs—this study elucidates that supplier factory senior managers experienced similar market tensions but different social tensions after the Rana Plaza incident. Crucially, similar market tensions helped create market fear and anger, but different social tensions led to social fear and anger in Bangladesh but not in Pakistan, therefore influencing the way supplier factory senior managers take decisions regarding CSR practices. By conceptualizing communal alignment and competitive CSR, this research finally advances the global value chain literature and contributes to the current conversations on negative emotions in organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore corporate managers' perspectives regarding the disclosure (non-disclosure) of social- and environment-related governance information. Design/methodology/approach: Insights into corporate managers' perspectives are explored by conducting in-depth personal interviews with senior corporate executives of textile and garment companies in Bangladesh. Findings: This study establishes that the use of traditional media, such as corporate annual reports, for corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related governance information disclosure can be limited in particular situations, including the case of garment companies, wherein the provision of extensive governance information is necessary, and the information users find special purpose reports, e.g. social audit reports, more comprehensive, credible, and beneficial than annual reports. The results reveal that corporate managers of Bangladeshi supply companies are motivated by financial returns, and they aspire to ensure that buyers (powerful stakeholders) obtain the required CSR-related governance information; this is neither driven by corporate accountability nor transparency. Upon using the managerial branch of the stakeholder theory, the result of this study shows that corporate managers are influenced by powerful stakeholders when they make decisions vis-à-vis the provision of CSR-related governance information. Originality/value: This study provides an implication for academics and practitioners toward understanding that corporate managers often provide substantive disclosures of CSR-related governance information through alternative media that have not been previously documented in the literature. Herein, a metaphor – veil – is used to illustrate the visibility gap between societal expectations and managers' perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether financial resource allocation decisions for corporate social responsibility (CSR) depends on slack resources and free cash flow. Design/methodology/approach: The study's sample consists of 202 company-year observations from 51 financial institutions over the period 2015–2019. The authors collected CSR data from CSR review reports published by the Central Bank (Bangladesh Bank). The financial and governance data are collected from corporate annual reports and year-end review reports published by the Dhaka Stock Exchange. This study uses both the random-effect and generalized estimating equation models to test the hypotheses. Findings: The authors establish two key findings consistent with the predictions of slack resource theory and free cash flow theory. First, the authors find a significant and positive relationship between slack resources and CSR expenditure. This result also supports the traditional thinking about corporate giving – that doing well enables doing good. Second, the author show that increases in free cash flow are associated with increases in CSR expenditure. This indicates the presence of agency problems between managers and shareholders regarding CSR expenditure. Originality/value: This study is the first to show the positive impacts of slack resources and free cash flow on CSR expenditure in an emerging economy characterized by both capital constraints and high salience of CSR expenditure. The study has important implications for regulators, advocacy groups, shareholders and analysts in emerging economies that share similar contextual characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international nature of supply chains has led to the rise of private authority in regulating the environmental and social impacts of production, which companies frequently address through corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the form of private governance (PG). Despite its claim to establish "global" rules, PG usually has national origins, and multiple efforts to address the same issue from different national perspectives frequently coexist. Numerous studies have explored the impact of national business systems on companies' domestic CSR practices, yet little is known about what factors shape CSR practices like PG internationally. Therefore, this study seeks to understand how differing domestic contexts shape approaches to CSR in the form of PG in host countries. I explore this empirically through the comparative case study of competing PG initiatives in the post‐Rana Plaza Bangladesh garment industry, uniquely conceived to govern companies' practices rather than certify products. It combines empirical findings with the comparative CSR literature to hypothesize about ideal types of PG organizing in US and European contexts. It extends the analysis to also account for other influential factors, such as stakeholder pressure, thus demonstrating how institutional and agentic factors amalgamate to shape firms' choices. By explicating linkages between international PG and its domestic context, as well as between the comparative CSR and PG literature studies, this study extends our understanding of how and why international PG practices and preferences vary for firms originating from different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the gender-related discourses in the annual reports of the listed companies in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach: To fulfill this objective, a sociological discourse analysis (SDA) of the gender-related texts in the annual reports of Bangladeshi companies (listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange) was conducted. Sandberg and Holmlund's (2015) organizational impression management tactics (description, praise, admission, defense and writing styles) was applied as the analytical framework of SDA. The findings of the study were interpreted from a triangulation of two different theories: legitimacy theory and impression management theory. Findings: The study suggests that the companies in Bangladesh are disclosing gender-related information to a limited extent. They provide some information in relation to equal opportunities, business activities targeted to women and corporate contribution to women's welfare. Most of these gender-related discourses are rhetorical in nature. The companies used various impression management tactics such as description, praise, positive writing style, vague writing style and emotional writing style. Research limitations/implications: This study is exploratory in nature and focuses on cross-sectional data. Thus, it does not identify the trend of corporate gender reporting over the years. Practical implications: At the policy level, the findings revealed a need for reporting guidelines for gender narratives. Although there is a global gender reporting guideline as proposed under global reporting initiative, there is no local guideline in Bangladesh. Our findings suggest that in the absence of proper directives, companies presented facts and figures rhetorically and qualitatively. Social implications: Our findings provide valuable insights for the companies in assisting the Government of Bangladesh to deal with the prevailing gender inequality and achieved gender-related sustainable development goals. It is argued that the government should take more interest in corporate social responsibility activities (such as promoting gender equality) and introduce legislation and guidelines for social accounting. Originality/value: This is one of the very few studies that illustrate the corporate gender reporting of a developing economy – Bangladesh. To make a unique contribution to corporate gender disclosure, the study has drawn its analysis from a triangulation of the impression management and the legitimacy perspectives. Also, the use of SDA for annual report analysis has informed the readers about "how" the corporate narratives are presented in the annual reports rather than "what" issues are disclosed as commonly done in content analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine a multi-dimensional modified conceptual model based on stakeholder theory & previous literature. The work represents an attempt to evaluate the association of environmental issues and practices of an organization's corporate social responsibility and the impact of these two factors on overall competitiveness. We have taken four corporate social responsibility (CSR) factors regarding the environment that affect competitive organizational performance. Additionally, we incorporated green innovation as a mediator and social media marketing apps as a moderator to examine the impact on organizational competitiveness. We collected 906 responses from the manufacturing and services sectors from the regional developing Asian countries China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the UAE for more generalizable and robust results. We developed a modified questionnaire and conceptual framework to empirically test organizational performance & competitiveness. For the analysis, we employed SEM-based multivariate modeling. The study's findings reveal that all the considered CSR factors of the environment positively and significantly impact organizational performance for competitiveness. The results further show that both green innovation as a mediator and social media marketing apps as moderators significantly impact the relationship of CSR factors of environment and organizational competitiveness. Thus, the modified conceptual model demonstrates that the environmental CSR factors are beneficial for the manufacturing and service sectors of developing economies, which create value for competitive business, society, and environment. The findings provide valuable directions for the senior management in the manufacturing and services sector to devise and implement environmental strategies for competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bangladeshi ready-made garment (RMG) and textile sectors, technology-driven compliance standards are primarily imported directly from foreign buyers' corporate social responsibility (CSR) where managers do not have enough scope of involvement, engagement, or active authority. They neither have selection freedom nor adoption willingness. The aim of this exploratory research is to understand managers' perceptions around accepting these imposed technology-driven compliance standards in the name of safety through an empirical study of the RMG sector in Bangladesh. We have used the extended framework of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model with certain modifications. After analyzing data through structural equation modeling (SEM), a modified theoretical framework was revealed to capture managers' behavioral intention toward a complex technological system that does not automatically arise from self-willingness; rather it is mandatory acceptance. Based on this knowledge, we recommend that the UTAUT2 model be extended and revised to capture this kind of mandatory adoption of technology. The findings of this research can provide deep and effective knowledge and experience to international buyers in the RMG sector, global supply chain members, RMG factory owners, and government policymakers. • Ready-made garments (RMG) sector • RMG contains a complex supply network where foreign buyers impose many new systems • Managers' perception • If a system is imposed without the consent of managers, they may perceive it negatively • UTAUT2 model • This model is used to capture human beings' self-desire to adopt a technological system • Behavioral intention • Behavioral intention to adopt technology is different if the adoption is mandatory • Compliance • Compliances are protocols imposed by foreign buyers to ensure safety in RMG, Bangladesh [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green concern is making a profound impact on building green competitive advantage (GCA) across the globe. Apparel sector of Bangladesh is at crossroads regarding sustainability of firms. Green initiatives are thus required for ensuring the survival of apparel sector. The current study attempts to examine the interplay among environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) dimensions, green corporate image (GCI), and green competitive advantage of firms. To address the research topic, structural equation modeling approach has been adopted. Based on prior research findings, five hypotheses have been devised and finally evaluated by collecting data from 53 apparel firms enlisted with Dhaka Stock Exchange, Bangladesh. The study findings reveal that the ECSR dimensions have critical role to play over building GCI and GCA at the firm level. The study attempted to integrate ECSR, GCI, and GCA and contributes to the holistic understanding of the green anxieties of the business world. Understanding the critical role of ECSR, this study calls for proactive managerial actions regarding organizational sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore stakeholders' expectations in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR)–related corporate governance practices. The paper aims to understand how stakeholders' expectations potentially translate into the disclosure of information about CSR-related corporate governance practices. Design/methodology/approach: The evidence for this study was collected using semi-structured in-depth personal interviews with 18 stakeholders. These include representative of multinational buying companies who source garments from Bangladesh, international as well as local NGOs, news media personnel, senior government officials, trade union leaders and social audit firm. Findings: This paper finds evidence of stakeholders' dissatisfaction with the disclosures of governance information which tended to be viewed as limited and symbolic in nature. It also finds an apparent disconnection between stakeholder expectations and corporate disclosures. Originality/value: This paper finds an alternative media of disclosures, for communicating social responsibility related governance information to the stakeholders, which has so far, been neglected by the social accounting researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to explore and analyze how multinational companies (MNCs) in Bangladesh define corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how CSR is used by these companies as a strategic tool to improve business and social performances. Design/methodology/approach: The authors choose a qualitative case study approach for this study, using multiple semi-structured interviews with 15 CSR managers and secondary data from websites and annual reports. Both primary and secondary data were collected from ten leading MNCs that operate in Bangladesh. Findings: The findings indicate that most of the MNCs in Bangladesh are moving toward strategic CSR and away from the conventional altruistic (philanthropic) CSR. It also appears that stakeholder prioritization and one-way communication are key for managing stakeholders. Research limitations/implications: The most unavoidable limitation of this research lies in sample selection. A total of ten companies were selected because of lack of accessibility to additional MNCs. To overcome this limitation and increase the credibility of findings, the authors triangulate interview and secondary data from annual reports and websites. Practical implications: The findings indicate that MNCs are increasingly recognizing the importance of using their core competencies to generate social benefits. The idea of adopting strategic CSR is predominantly steered by business benefits, which also provide the necessary resources for social and environmental activities Social implications: The findings suggest that the shift from philanthropy to strategic postures leads to creating and fostering social benefits such as developing an entrepreneurial spirit and empowering women. Originality/value: MNCs operating in Bangladesh are gradually departing from philanthropy and moving toward strategic CSR by aligning business strategies with CSR. Transition from philanthropy to strategic CSR also reflects on MNCs' CSR definitions, which include various dimensions such as social, stakeholders and sustainability, except philanthropy. In Bangladesh, where CSR was previously viewed as philanthropic activity, the findings make important contributions to the extant literature, particularly international CSR strategic literature, and can be useful for future research in other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of multistakeholder initiatives (MSIs) over the past years has sparked an intense debate on the political role of corporations in the governance of global business conduct. To gain a better understanding of corporate political behavior in multistakeholder governance, this article investigates how firms construct a political identity when participating in MSIs. Based on an in-depth case study of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh—an MSI established after the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory complex in 2013 to improve working conditions in the Bangladeshi garment industry—we introduce the construct of a political CSR (corporate social responsibility) identity (PCSRI) and explore how firms construct their PCSRIs in MSIs. Employing a qualitative, inductive theory-building method, we analyze interviews and archival data to develop a framework that elucidates how companies construct their PCSRIs within a continuum ranging from conservative to progressive. We show that constructing a PCSRI involves enacting specific, yet interrelated, political strategies that are themselves shaped by several forces over time. This article contributes to the literature by providing a political perspective on organizational identity construction that extends the emerging integrative perspective in political corporate social responsibility (PCSR) research. We suggest that MSIs should be conceptualized as inherently political governance mechanisms that are driven by multidirectional and dynamic political processes of identity construction. Our study shows that corporate political engagement in MSIs is a more nuanced and complex phenomenon than presently theorized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the influence of institutional shareholding on a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a content analysis to capture a firm's CSR practices, based on various attributes of social and environmental reporting made by the firm. Based on these attributes, a corporate social responsibility reporting index (CSRI) is constructed. To examine the causal relationship between institutional shareholding and firm CSR practices, this study uses a simultaneous equations approach to control the endogeneity problem. Findings: The finding of this study is that both CSR reporting and institutional shareholding negatively influence each other. Research limitations/implications: This study is subject to some limitations such as the subjectivity or judgement associated in the coding process. Practical implications: If the institutional investors are not concerned with its environmental and societal issues, there will be a sustainability issue for the business because companies will continue ignoring the employee health and hygiene, education, training and welfare. Their ignorance of these societal issues will lead to compromising the quality of living for important stakeholders within the society. Originality/value: This study contributes the literature on CSR reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines several noteworthy initiatives that were implemented following the deadly 2013 Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh. They broke new ground in transnational labour law. The ILO-backed initiatives were largely successful but remain insufficient to achieve lasting change in the ready-made garment industry, where global brands' supply chain buying practices constrain investment in occupational safety and health. A proposed United Nations treaty on business and human rights now seeks to enhance corporate accountability. Although promising, as part of a smart mix of multi-level public and private solutions, the treaty needs fine-tuning in the light of lessons learned from post-Rana Plaza experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While drawing on a collaborative corporate social responsibility initiative to manage diversity, this article investigates the main drivers of discrimination and the ways to reduce discrimination affecting transgenders in organizations in Bangladesh, a developing country. Often part of the "Hijra" community, transgenders in Bangladesh were acknowledged by the government in 2013 as third gender individuals but remain the most excluded of the excluded and struggle to retain jobs. This research finds that Bangladeshi transgenders at work suffer from internal intimidation because of the gurus or leaders in the community and also from direct and indirect workplace harassment from other workers. Subsequently, it offers a typology of collaborative practices to facilitate inclusion based on persuasion and dialog with gurus, the police, imams, and workers. Finally, this article contributes to the nascent literature on diversity management through transgender inclusion as well as the literature on transgenders and the Hijra community in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexities surrounding the supply chain logistics for perishable commodities within Bangladesh are extensive. Poor infrastructure, fragmented transportation and corruption compound the operational complexities within this emerging market. This case study analyses many of the day-to-day operational challenges and tensions inherent within Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) forming the backbone of the Bangladesh socio-economic structure. The drive for transition toward greater levels of sustainability and corporate responsibility is problematic, affecting many levels within an extended and fragmented supply chain. The selected case study highlights the 'lived in' geographical, environmental, economic and cultural factors that impact the ability of emerging market enterprises to remain profitable within emergency scenarios whilst transitioning toward a more sustainable model. This study, whilst detailing many of the tensions and critical issues facing MSMEs, highlights the benefits of direct Government intervention, criticality of a leaner and more efficient supply chain and reassessment of financial incentives to drive the transition to a more efficient and sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green business initiatives have become a prime driving force towards sustainable development across the world. The economy of Bangladesh is now on a pick as she has been moving towards nearly hitting the target for becoming a middle-income economy by 2021, and for attaining so, the development of industrial sectors is unavoidable. The booming industrial sectors have been resulting in a massive depletion of natural resources, greenhouse gas erosion, and toxic waste disposal, which further can cause uncontrolled degradation of air, soil, and water. In this highly competitive world, like most other businesses, ready-made garment (RMG) firms are facing tremendous pressure for being more competitive and availing a decisive position towards the reduction of pollution and impacts of ecological footprint. This nation brings a new paradigm of doing business called green business (GB). Principles of green business compact with emerging approaches for producing, marketing, and disposing of the products, which maintain environmental safety and business competitiveness. Green-oriented business strategy can act as a crucial tactic for gaining a competitive advantage over the potential competitors and assess them with a better way to uphold their stand towards attaining sustainable development. Since the modern purchaser is continuously being attracted to green-oriented RMG industries, they want to attain their responsibility to Mother Nature. Especially for the RMG sectors of Bangladesh, environmental concern is highly crucial since it is the most significant economic sectors of this country. The prime objective of this study is to provide an overview of green business strategy associated with the RMG sectors of Bangladesh, which further assist the sectors with competitive advantages. In order to fulfill the prime objectives of the paper, the authors conferred various books, journals, and research papers related to green business and competitiveness within the context of Bangladeshi RMG sectors. Furthermore, the study arranged some casual discussions with industry professionals in corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental protectionist, sustainable development executives, and ecology-friendly performance officer to provide substantial assistance for focusing on the precise direction of foundation evaluation and synthesis. In contextualization of the intensification of green business strategy and environmental degradation, we proposed a framework to quantify the green business strategy with the view of gain competitive advantages across the RMG sectors in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between the social power of apparel buyers from developed countries and the psychologically defensive workplace behavior (PDWB) of the suppliers from a developing country. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was used to collect 205 responses from the professionals who were working in the apparel exporting companies in Bangladesh. Data were analyzed quantitatively. Findings: The results showed that the exercise of buyers' reward and coercive power was associated with the suppliers' perfectionistic workplace behavior. The exercise of buyers' coercive power was associated with the suppliers' arrogant-vindictive workplace behavior. The exercise of buyers' reward power was associated with the suppliers' narcissistic workplace behavior, and coercive power was found to be statistically suggestive. Research limitations/implications: This study purposely used convenient and snowball sampling techniques to collect data from Bangladesh only. Future researchers could focus on random sampling from different countries to improve the generalizability of the research. Practical implications: This study will help apparel buyers to better negotiate with Bangladeshi suppliers regarding maintaining proper workplace conditions and compliances. It will also help industry professionals to better educate suppliers on how to deal with workplace pressure. Originality/value: This study adds to the literature on social power and PDWB, specifically related to the apparel manufacturing industry, and will help illustrate the impact of workplace behavior in terms of corporate social responsibility beyond the usual measurement of the codes of conduct and compliance issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the customer demand and satisfaction through social and environmental CSR practices based on tourist's perception in Bangladesh hotel sector. Data were collected through the survey questionnaire across the three famous tourist destination cities (Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox's bazar) of Bangladesh. The valid sample size of this study was 402 and respondents were selected executing systematic sampling technique. Data were analysed through SmratPLS 3.0 software. From the findings, it was found that both social and environmental CSR ha s a positive association with customer demand, whereas, only social CSR is positively associated with customer satisfaction and environmental CSR has no significant association with customer satisfaction. Also, customer demand positively associated with customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) comprises of economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities. However, these aspects of CSR may have significant influence over each other. The rest of the aspects of CSR may influence specifically the most critical aspect of CSR, economic responsibilities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of philanthropic, ethical, and legal responsibilities on economic responsibilities of banks. In total 250 customers of different banks in sylhet district were surveyed for the study. Multiple linear regression method in SPSS was used to analyze the data. Among the non-economic dimensions of CSR, the ethical and philanthropic responsibilities found to be significant influencer of economic responsibilities of CSR. On the other hand, the legal responsibilities was concluded as an insignificant influencer of economic responsibilities. More precisely, one percent increase in ethical responsibility will increase the economic responsibility by 50 percent and alike one percent development in philanthropic responsibility will increase the economic responsibility by 20 percent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective -- The objective of this paper is to provide a structured literature review of CSR reporting discourse in the context of a developing country, namely Bangladesh, with a focus on three dominant themes: i) the driving forces for CSR reporting, ii) the methodological approaches employed by researchers while studying CSR disclosures, and iii) the theoretical frameworks utilized in explaining the same. Methodology/Technique -- In this paper we have employed a structured literature review (SLR) approach and reviewed more than 60 articles from highly ranked accounting and business, ethics and management journals, published over the past two decades. By opting for the SLR approach, we intend to contribute to the extant literature from a methodological perspective since SLR has been relatively underutilized in accounting research. Findings -- The paper reveals that while some determinants of CSR disclosure are ubiquitous in both developed and developing countries, the motivation for disclosing social and environmental information is, to a considerable extent, context specific. Specifically, for developing countries like Bangladesh, CSR reporting is driven by survival concerns, emanating from pressure created by global stakeholders, competitive dynamics and sometimes, the 'shadow of the state'. The paper also finds CSR to be under-theorized in Bangladesh, with too much reliance on the legitimacy framework. Given the socio-economic context of Bangladesh, future research should make use of alternative theories drawn from the social and political domain to enable deeper understanding of CSR reporting. Novelty -- This paper is one of the first attempts to review CSR literature in the specific context of Bangladesh, which offers an interesting case to study owing to the dual influence of export-led growth on one hand and elements of traditionalism, on the other. The novelty of this paper lies in its attempt to study three dimensions, viz. determinants, theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches in coalition, and thus offer an integrated perspective, which is missing in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Based on the socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective and agency theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine how the introduction of the 2006 Corporate Governance (CG) Guidelines and family governance affected the level of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting of non-financial companies in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use multivariate regression to analyse 2,637 firm-level annual observations, from 1996 to 2011 annual reports of Bangladeshi publicly listed non-financial-sector companies, to investigate how firm-level CG quality affects CSR disclosure in family and non-family firms. Findings: CG quality significantly increases the level of CSR disclosure and this relationship is stronger prior to the new CG Guidelines. Family firms' CSR reporting levels are significantly lower than non-family firms', and this effect is stronger after the change in the CG Guidelines. CEO duality, the presence of an audit committee and profitability improve family-firm CSR reporting in Bangladesh, while non-family CSR disclosures are positively associated with board size and firm competition. Board independence is not related to CSR disclosure. Originality/value: The authors provide evidence of the benefit of the CG Guidelines' introduction on company CSR disclosure in an emerging economy and the importance of specific governance mechanisms that differentiate family and non-family-firm CSR disclosures in Bangladesh using a SEW framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local supplier corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developing countries represents a powerful tool to improve labour conditions. This paper pursues an inter-organizational network approach to the global value chain (GVC) literature to understand the influence of suppliers' collective behaviour on their CSR engagement. This exploratory study of 30 export-oriented and first-tier apparel suppliers in Bangladesh, a developing country, makes three relevant contributions to GVC scholarship. First, we show that suppliers are interlinked in a horizontal network that restricts unilateral CSR engagement. This is justified in that unilateral CSR engagement is a source of heterogeneity in labour practices; consequently, it triggers worker unrest. Second, we present and discuss an exploratory framework based on four scenarios of how suppliers currently engage in CSR given their network's pressure toward collective behaviour: unofficial CSR engagement, geographic isolation, size and competitive differentiation, and external pressure. Finally, we show the need to spread CSR homogeneously among suppliers and to reconceptualize the meaning of CSR in developing countries, encouraging more scrutiny toward horizontal dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of statutory regulatory order by the government on the degree of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and disclosures. It also aims to empirically investigate the relationship of a firm's key internal and governance factors with CSR performance and disclosures. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on empirical data from all banking firms listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) for a period of 2011-2015. The difference in difference analysis has been used to test the regulatory impact, where content analysis has been performed to find CSR disclosure scores. The multivariate regression analysis has been used to test hypotheses to find impact of firm's internal factor on CSR disclosures. Findings: The analysis and results of the study show that there is no significant impact of statutory regulatory impact on a firm's level of CSR performance and disclosure. On the other hand, the study has found that board expertizes and board meetings have significant positive impact on firm's CSR while no significant impact is found for firm networks to influence firm's CSR disclosures. Research limitations/implications: The main research limitation of the study is that it covers all listed firms of the banking industry in Bangladesh. Because of data inconsistency, other industries are not included in the data sample of this study. Originality/value: The value of the study lies in its contribution to the empirical investigation of regulatory impact and key internal and governance factors in a developing country perspective, which will add value to the CSR literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare is a basic necessity for any society. Banks in Bangladesh are engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives better than ever. Islamic banks (IBs)in Bangladesh have taken several CSR initiatives and contributing significantly to healthcare. The main objective of this study is to investigate the CSR practices of Islamic banks (IBs) in the healthcare sector during 2010-2015. The study used a content analysis methodology to analyze objectively and systematically the websites and annual reports of the IBs and the relevant publications of the central bank of Bangladesh. The findings of this study demonstrate that IBs are engaged in healthcare initiatives, which have been increasing significantly over a period of time. However, the results also portrayed that, among all the IBs, Islamic Bank Bangladesh Limited has done the highest contribution in healthcare CSR by establishing hospitals, operating health camps, providing medical assistance, assistance to mother and neonatal etc. This study has also contributed significantly to the relevant literature and paved the path for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brand-name fashion industry creates high levels of competition in developing countries, leading to labour exploitation and human rights abuse. The 2013 World Investment Report found that pushing prices down in global value chains has led to "significant negative social and environmental impacts". In response, fashion corporations and retail giants introduced codes of conduct to address consumer concerns and stop any damage to brand reputation. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has had some success in preventing child labour but little if any victory in allowing workers the right to organise and bargain collectively. In fact, CSR has been blamed for undermining the role of trade unions and privatising labour rights. In this article, I trace the history of CSR from shareholders to a human rights model. I highlight tensions between national accumulation policies, company profits, shareholders and CSR on the one hand, and migrant workers and human rights on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role of microfinance staff and procedures in enabling microfinance's social mission. It does so primarily through studying institutional ruling relations and practices in rural Bangladesh. Attempting to move away from the linear and deterministic approaches of impact studies, it ethnographically scrutinizes the everyday practices of implementers. Findings point to the emergence of systemic practices that jeopardize microfinance institutions' potential to perform their social mission. These include low client‐selection standards, hard selling of loans and forceful loan renewal, little follow‐up on loan use, and abusive and violent client‐retention and repayment‐collection strategies. This is conceptualized as a 'practice drift' as distinct from the commonly reported 'mission drift'. Rather than stemming from planned, top‐down changes in institutional mission and strategy, practice drift emerges from a displacement of decision‐making processes to the branches. The article argues that observed changes in microfinance practice are enabled by decentralized structures and management systems that leave the choice of tactics used to achieve targets to the discretion of field staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the association between corporate governance and the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures in insurance companies, using archival data. Design/methodology/approach: The data set comprises 277 listed insurance company-years in Bangladesh for the period of 2008 to 2014. The authors have used a checklist to measure the extent of CSR disclosures. The checklist was developed based on the previous CSR literature. The study uses a multiple regression analysis technique to investigate the association between different governance variables, particularly managerial ownership, institutional ownership, board independence and the proportion of female directors, and the extent of CSR disclosures in Bangladeshi insurance companies. Findings: The authors find that board independence and the proportion of female directors have positive associations with the extent of CSR disclosures. However, the results indicate that managerial ownership is negatively associated with the extent of CSR disclosures. Originality/value: Unlike most of the prior research that explored CSR disclosures in non-financial companies, the authors focus on financial companies, namely, insurance businesses. The authors provide empirical evidence using archival data that suggests that some governance mechanisms are important determinants of CSR disclosures in the insurance industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]