Tools for Human Flourishing: The Ethical Apparel Index (video)

In this conversation, we hear from two scholars looking at social and environmental sustainability in supply chains. Robert Handfield, Ph.D., Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management, North Carolina State University, and MD Rejaul Hasan, Ph.D., Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University are featured in this Stories of Impact video, discussing their new TWCF-supported project.

To learn more, watch the video with the above player.

Our basic thesis is that given an option to purchase a garment produced in an ethical, sustainable manner, consumers are willing to pay more to do so.

Using machine-based learning, their team is building an analytical framework that ingests different audit data about criteria needed for ethical apparel production. There are 9 components that comprise this Ethical Apparel Index:

1. Are workers provided a minimum wage?
2. Is forced labor used?
3. Can workers associate freely?
4. Are workers paid overtime?
5. Are workers provided proper health and safety?
6. Is child labor used?
7. Is the work environment free from harassment?
8. Is the work environment free from discrimination?
9. Is there a contract between employer and employee?

 "Our basic thesis is that given an option to purchase a garment produced in an ethical, sustainable manner, consumers are willing to pay more to do so," says Handfield.

Discover the podcast related to this topic.

Learn about Templeton World Charity Foundation's Economics and Human Flourishing priority.

Templeton World Charity Foundation’s “Stories of Impact” videos by journalist and senior media executive Richard Sergay feature human stories and critical perspectives on breakthroughs about the universe’s big questions. The inspiring narratives and observations in these award-winning videos portray the individual and societal impacts of the projects that bring to life TWCF-supported research.