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Articles

Social Sustainability in Micro and Small Enterprise Supply Chains: Empirical Insights from the Clothing Industry

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Pages 1-30 | Received 02 Mar 2021, Accepted 25 Aug 2021, Published online: 20 Oct 2021
 

Abstract

This paper argues that micro and small enterprises (MSEs) can address social supply chain sustainability using social capital elements. Through a nested case study at José Avelino fashion center, results show the prominence of internal social sustainability performance and strong elements related to a friendly and familiar connection among members of the MSE’s supply chain, but their relationships remain transactional. It was established that while structural and cognitive capital exists, relational capital is limited due to a lack of trust and commitment between suppliers. This paper demonstrates how social issues can be addressed to support the pathway to a balanced response to sustainability in MSE supply chains.

RESUMEN

Este artigo argumenta que las microempresas y las pequeñas empresas (MSE en la sigla en inglés) pueden abordar la sustentabilidad de la cadena de suministro social utilizando elementos de capital social. A través de un estudio de caso en el centro de moda José Avelino, los resultados muestran una prominencia de la sustentabilidad social interna y fuertes elementos relacionados con una conexión amistosa y familiar entre los miembros de la cadena de suministro de las MSE, pero sus relaciones siguen siendo transaccionales. Se estableció que, si bien existe un capital estructural y cognitivo, el capital relacional es limitado debido a la falta de confianza y compromiso que existe entre los proveedores. Este trabajo muestra cómo se pueden abordar las cuestiones sociales para apoyar el camino hacia una respuesta equilibrada hacia la sustentabilidad de las cadenas de suministro de las cadenas de MSE.

RESUMO

O presente trabalho argumenta que as micro e pequenas empresas (MSE na sigla em inglês) podem tratar a sustentabilidade social na cadeia de suprimento com o uso de elementos do capital social. Os resultados de um estudo de caso no centro de moda José Avelino salientam a importância do desempenho da sustentabilidade social interna, bem como elementos fortes relacionados ao vínculo de família e amizade entre os membros da cadeia de suprimento das MSE, mas o relacionamento continua sendo transacional. Foi comprovado que, apesar da existência do capital cognitivo e estrutural, o capital relacional é limitado em decorrência da falta de confiança e de compromisso entre os fornecedores. Este trabalho demonstra como as questões sociais podem ser abordadas para contribuir com uma resposta equilibrada para a sustentabilidade das cadeias de suprimento das MSE.

Notes

1 We have maintained the Portuguese term facções, because it is difficult to translate. Due to its uniqueness, we can relate it to an outsourced supplier because of their characteristics of being mainly micro enterprises with a few seamstresses operating in the back of the owners’ house.

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