A governance and management framework for addressing modern slavery risk in multi-tier supply chains

Better governance of modern slavery risk represents a key challenge that needs to be addressed if sustainability in global supply chains is to be realised in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8.7. This conceptual paper develops and presents a multidimensional twin-track framework aimed at improving responsible focal company governance and the management of modern slavery risk in multi-tier supply chains. The study draws on existing literature and examples from practice to advance a normative argument as for integrating top-down transparency and due diligence mechanisms with direct and indirect bottom-up human rights approaches. It explains why such alignment is necessary if meaningful progress towards ending modern slavery is to be realised. The paper introduces, explores and differentiates between direct and indirect bottom-up supply chain initiatives, which have not previously been addressed in an explicit or systematic way in the literature. An agenda for future researchers is presented in line with the seven emerging themes identified. Limitations are acknowledged and how these might be addressed in future research.