Modern Slavery in Supply Chains: an Analysis of Disclosure in the UK Banking Industry

ZHAO, Yilei (2020) Modern Slavery in Supply Chains: an Analysis of Disclosure in the UK Banking Industry. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)]

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Abstract

Purpose –The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how banks report on their efforts for eliminating modern slavery in their supply chain operations and to understand their approaches to disclosing information in response to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Methodology– Content analysis is used to determine whether the top 100 banks operating in the UK disclose modern slavery under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.The contents of statements are secondary data, available on their websites and other databases, are examined using indicators associated with modern slavery.

Findings – It shows that 23% of the 88 banks (out of top 100 banks operating in the UK) that submit modern slavery statements fail to meet the minimum requirements set out in the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. In general, the quantity and quality of disclosures vary widely, and the content disclosed is narrative. Many firms use the same practices to detect modern slavery as for other social issues. Overall, banks do not carry much risk of modern slavery. All of them claim that no modern slavery incidents identified in their supply chains.

Research limitations/implications – This dissertation is limited to banking industry, responses to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the information disclosed by the top 100 banks only. Future research could expand its focus to other industries and national contexts.

Originality/value – The dissertation expands the author's understanding of modern slavery from the perspective of supply chain, and clarifies the importance of disclosure and risk avoidance in accordance with legal requirements. The author and supervisor are not aware of the research of examining the statements in response to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 having been undertaken prior in the field of banking which makes this original research.

Keywords: Banking industry, Modern slavery, Secondary data, Content Analysis, Supply chain disclosure, Information transparency

Item Type: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Depositing User: ZHAO, Yilei
Date Deposited: 18 Apr 2023 10:16
Last Modified: 18 Apr 2023 10:16
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/62806

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