Unmasking the True Consequences: Utilizing cutting-edge DBA studies to combat Contemporary Bondage and Exploitation

Unmasking the True Consequences: Utilizing cutting-edge DBA studies to combat Contemporary Bondage and Exploitation

Modern slavery - a hidden yet pervasive issue in today's world, embedded in the products we consume daily - is a troubling reality for approximately 50 million individuals, predominantly working in complex supply chains that drive global corporations. Despite numerous companies claiming ethical sourcing and corporate responsibility, there often exists a substantial disconnect between their declarations and the reality on the ground.

The pressing question at hand is how to hold businesses accountable and differentiate between authentic efforts and mere box-ticking exercises? This question is what propels the research of Talita Meira, a determined researcher embarking on a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at our esteemed academic institution.

With a practical background in helping companies comply with modern slavery laws, Talita brings a unique perspective to this complex issue. Her cutting-edge research focuses on assessing the quality of modern slavery reporting and enhancing supply chain transparency. By diving deep into company practices and uncovering if they are making any impact, her work seeks to provide data-driven insights that push for meaningful change, rather than just tick-box compliance.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Talita to understand the intricate roots of modern slavery, its persistence in global supply chains, and the actions necessary to eradicate it.

• What is modern slavery, and why is it crucial to address it?

Modern slavery stands for extreme forms of exploitation like forced labor, human trafficking, and debt bondage - situations where individuals are coerced, deceived, or threatened, preventing them from leaving or refusing work. Despite its abolition by law, modern slavery still affects an astounding 50 million people worldwide.

Addressing modern slavery is essential, not only for ethical reasons, due to the violation of basic human rights, but also for business sustainability. Companies risk legal consequences and severe reputational damage if found complicit in slavery practices. Legislation like the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015) and the Australian Modern Slavery Act (2018) encourages corporations to disclose their efforts in managing modern slavery risks. However, research indicates that disclosure alone is not enough; transparency, stakeholder engagement, and genuine accountability are essential.

• What aspects of your DBA research are you focusing on, and how can your findings contribute to improving the situation?

My research delves into modern slavery reporting quality and supply chain transparency, examining how companies disclose and act on modern slavery risks. Specifically, I investigate the effectiveness of corporate stakeholder engagement, pinpointing vulnerabilities in supply chains that allow modern slavery to persist, and analyzing the efficiency of modern slavery reports.

My findings can assist in improving modern slavery governance by offering data-driven insights into corporate practices that are effective and where companies fall short. By identifying gaps between stated policies and real-world outcomes, this research can guide businesses, policymakers, and advocacy groups in pursuing stronger accountability mechanisms.

• What has been your experience moving from a modern slavery practitioner to an academic researcher?

The transition from practitioner to academic researcher has been both enlightening and challenging. Previously, I served as a Senior Supply Chain Consultant at Unchained Solutions, where I led hands-on initiatives to help Australian organizations meet the Modern Slavery Act (2018) requirements. Now, as I transition into academia, I focus on analyzing and assessing the effectiveness of those initiatives from a theoretical perspective.

My practical experience provides a strong foundation for my research, ensuring that it remains relevant to all stakeholders. This new chapter has also highlighted the critical gap between corporate reporting and actual impact, which is a key area I address in my research.

• How has your experience been presenting your work at academic conferences and engaging with your academic peers?

Engaging with academic peers at conferences has been a thought-provoking and gratifying experience. My background in corporate compliance and supply chain risk management allows me to bridge the gap between research and real-world application, making a tangible impact on global issues like modern slavery.

Connecting with fellow researchers from various disciplines has enriched my understanding of the complexities of this issue and provided me with new perspectives to consider. The exchange of ideas has strengthened my research by integrating both practical and theoretical insights, ensuring that it bolsters both academic knowledge and actionable change in supply chains.

This research not only fuels academic discourse but also provides practical insights that businesses, policymakers, and advocacy groups can implement immediately. Embarking on my DBA journey at our institution equips me to drive meaningful change on critical global issues, empowering me to launch my legacy that makes a significant impact on a large scale.

1. Talita Meira's DBA research focuses on assessing the quality of modern slavery reporting and enhancing supply chain transparency, aiming to provide data-driven insights that push for meaningful change.
2. By uncovering if companies are making a significant impact on modern slavery, Talita's research seeks to offer insights that propel businesses towards genuine accountability.
3. Legislation like the UK Modern Slavery Act and the Australian Modern Slavery Act encourages corporations to disclose their efforts in managing modern slavery risks, but research indicates that disclosure alone is not enough.
4. Modern slavery reporting quality and the efficiency of modern slavery reports are essential aspects of Talita's research, as they can offer insights into corporate practices that are effective and where companies fall short.
5. Corporate stakeholder engagement plays a crucial role in modern slavery governance, pinpointing vulnerabilities in supply chains that allow modern slavery to persist, which is another key area addressed in Talita's research.
6. Transparency, stakeholder engagement, and genuine accountability are essential components for businesses seeking to combat modern slavery, beyond just tick-box compliance.
7. Talita's experience as a Senior Supply Chain Consultant at Unchained Solutions has provided a strong foundation for her research, ensuring that it remains relevant to all stakeholders.
8. Engaging with academic peers at conferences has enriched Talita's understanding of the complexities of modern slavery, providing new perspectives to consider and strengthening her research.
9. Talita's research not only fuels academic discourse but also provides practical insights that businesses, policymakers, and advocacy groups can implement immediately to drive meaningful change on global issues like modern slavery.

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