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SMEs in their Own Right: The Views of Managers and Workers in Vietnamese Textiles, Garment, and Footwear Companies

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  • Angie Ngoc Tran

    (California State University)

  • Søren Jeppesen

    (Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

This article contributes to the limited literatures on small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Using an institutional theoretical framework, we analyzed fieldwork interviews with twenty SMEs and perspectives of 165 SME managers and workers in textiles, garment, and footwear industries, the most important wage-earning sector in Vietnam. Having understood in the context of a developing “market economy with socialist orientation” (thus a “Southern perspective”), we find that socially responsible practices and expectations developed long before the arrival of CSR as a western concept and an MNC agenda. While identifying and contributing ideas concerning forms of “informal” CSR practices—influenced by social and cultural expectations—to the CSR/SME literature, we are conscious of the mixed effects of these practices and the ongoing nuanced negotiations between workers and managers in these SMEs. In our research, we found that it takes both domestic and international stakeholders to improve labor conditions in Vietnam under the banner of CSR.

Suggested Citation

  • Angie Ngoc Tran & Søren Jeppesen, 2016. "SMEs in their Own Right: The Views of Managers and Workers in Vietnamese Textiles, Garment, and Footwear Companies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 137(3), pages 589-608, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:137:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2572-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2572-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Anh Huu Nguyen & Thinh Gia Hoang & Vu Minh Ngo & Loan Quynh Thi Nguyen & Huan Huu Nguyen, 2023. "Sustainability-oriented supply chain finance in Vietnam: insights from multiple case studies," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 259-279, March.
    3. , Aisdl, 2019. "CSR in Vietnam: What factors would promote CSR in Vietnam?," OSF Preprints cr62g, Center for Open Science.
    4. Van Huong, Vu & Mai, Yong & Hau, Bui Duc & Cuong, Ly Kim & Van Dao, Le, 2023. "Do firm characteristics in their local context promote corporate ecological and social responsibility? Evidence from a multi-hierarchical analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 722-743.
    5. Claudia Patricia Maldonado-Erazo & José Álvarez-García & María de la Cruz del Río-Rama & Ronny Correa-Quezada, 2020. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Performance in SMEs: Scientific Coverage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-26, March.
    6. Minh Nguyen & Jo Bensemann & Stephen Kelly, 2018. "Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Vietnam: a conceptual framework," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Vu, Khoa & Glewwe, Paul, 2022. "Maternity benefits mandate and women’s choice of work in Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    8. Elsje Fourie & Bilisuma Dito & Konjit Gudeta & Karen Schelleman-Offermans & Valentina Mazzucato & Kai Jonas, 2024. "The Bitter and the Sweet: Managerial Perceptions of the Well-Being of Ethiopian Female Apparel and Horticultural Workers," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 24(2), pages 185-201, April.
    9. Caixia Chen & Patsy Perry & Yixiong Yang & Cheng Yang, 2017. "Decent Work in the Chinese Apparel Industry: Comparative Analysis of Blue-Collar and White-Collar Garment Workers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
    10. Radosław Wolniak & Adam Wyszomirski & Marcin Olkiewicz & Anna Olkiewicz, 2021. "Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Activities in Heating Industry—Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, March.
    11. Thorey S Thorisdottir & Lara Johannsdottir, 2020. "Corporate Social Responsibility Influencing Sustainability within the Fashion Industry. A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-64, November.
    12. Leon Guillén & Afcha Sergio & Chu Manuel, 2022. "Research on social responsibility of small and medium enterprises: a bibliometric analysis," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 857-909, September.
    13. Mai, Nhat Chi, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility in Small and Medium Enterprises in Vietnam," OSF Preprints acdm6, Center for Open Science.
    14. Jaffar Abbas & Shahid Mahmood & Hashim Ali & Muhammad Ali Raza & Ghaffar Ali & Jaffar Aman & Shaher Bano & Mohammad Nurunnabi, 2019. "The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Environmental Factors through a Moderating Role of Social Media Marketing on Sustainable Performance of Business Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-33, June.
    15. Loan Thi-Hong Van & Phuong Anh Nguyen, 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility and SMEs in Vietnam: A Study in the Textile and Garment Industry," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, November.

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