Humanizing supply chains: Turning the spotlight towards remediation in modern slavery scholarship

Abstract

As modern slavery and human rights due diligence legislation continues to evolve, businesses are under increased scrutiny to monitor their (global) supply chains. However, research surrounding modern slavery has identified that UK and Australian disclosure-based legislation is ineffective at driving substantive change. Regardless, as governments and policy makers strive toward due diligence, it is imperative that organizations uncover modern slavery incidents in their extended supply chains. After discovery of a violation, remediation is necessary; yet, how businesses handle incidents of modern slavery, particularly throughout their supply chains, is a nascent and prickly issue. We contribute to the conversation within the supply chain modern slavery domain by developing a fertile landscape for future research endeavors connected to modern slavery remediation policy. In doing so, we suggest bold collaboration ideas that PSM scholars can pursue with other disciplines. We hope that this essay will stimulate cross disciplinary scholarship but more importantly facilitate developing meaningful and sustainable solutions for victims/survivors of modern slavery.