On the morning of June 30, 2024, the National Economics University (NEU) organized a doctoral dissertation defense ceremony for PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong, specializing in Business Administration (E-PhD Program), with the dissertation topic: "Transmission of CSR practices and values in buyer-supplier relationships: A study of garment companies in Vietnam".
The doctoral dissertation was supervised by Supervisor 1: Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Hung, and Supervisor 2: Dr. Dinh Le Hai Ha – National Economics University.
The ceremony was attended by members of the examination committee, including Associate Professor Dr. Ta Van Loi, Associate Professor Dr. Le Thai Phong; Associate Professor Dr. Phan Chi Anh, Dr. Ngo Vi Dung, Associate Professor Dr. Bach Ngoc Thang, Dr. Tran Huy Phuong, and Associate Professor Dr. Doan Ngoc Thang.
Additionally, the ceremony was attended by the supervising faculty member, colleagues from the candidate's workplace, friends, and family members of the PhD candidate.
Under the chairmanship of Associate Professor Dr. Ta Van Loi – Chairman of the Committee, the committee reviewed the academic credentials, research achievements, learning process, and scientific research results of PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong throughout the entire research process. The committee members highly praised the candidate's academic achievements, research contributions, and dedicated efforts during this period.
Subsequently, PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong presented her research findings to the committee.
In her doctoral dissertation, PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong conducted research on "Transmission of CSR practices and values in buyer-supplier relationships: A study of garment companies in Vietnam". This dissertation has made three significant theoretical contributions to the existing literature as follows: First, unlike the traditional compliance-based approach to interpreting buyer-supplier CSR transmission (Ayuso et al., 2013; Ciliberti et al., 2011; Stekelorum et al., 2019), this dissertation advocates for a learning-based perspective that recognizes the active participation of suppliers (Hultman & Elg, 2018) and describes distinct CSR transmission modes in these relationships. Second, while current research primarily focuses on transmitting CSR practices, this dissertation emphasizes the more significant impacts of transmitting CSR values. Such transmission can lead to fundamental changes in suppliers' value frameworks, promoting more sustainable and long-term CSR outcomes. Indeed, this study has developed a theory of mechanisms and antecedents for understanding CSR values in bilateral CSR transmission between buyers and suppliers. Third, while previous studies in this field have investigated various supporting factors and barriers to CSR transmission in buyer-supplier relationships, such as supply chain pressure, power, CSR perception, or monitoring costs (Baden et al., 2009; Ciliberti et al., 2010; Lee et al., 2017; Walker et al., 2008; Welford & Frost, 2006), this dissertation uses inter-organizational learning theories to examine firm-level and inter-firm factors that influence CSR practice and value learning in buyer-supplier relationships, particularly in garment supply chains involving suppliers from developing countries. The key findings indicate that buyer and supplier characteristics can significantly impact CSR learning outcomes. Specifically, suppliers with strong financial performance and buyers' use of coercive power and technical control can enhance CSR practice learning, while buyers' business performance and collaborative CSR techniques positively impact CSR value learning, whereas coercive power has negative effects. Therefore, these findings can provide comprehensive insights into the CSR learning process in complex supply chain environments.
The dissertation's key findings have been published in international scientific journals indexed in ISI/Scopus databases.
According to the assessment by committee members, the dissertation reflects PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong's serious learning and research process. The research results demonstrate high scientific value and practical applicability.
After discussion, the dissertation examination committee conducted a closed meeting, resulting in a unanimous vote of approval from all 7 present members. Associate Professor Dr. Ta Van Loi, on behalf of the committee, congratulated PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong on successfully defending her doctoral dissertation.
Before concluding the ceremony, PhD candidate Le Thuy Duong delivered remarks expressing her gratitude to the Graduate Institute, the Institute for Sustainable Development, her supervising professors, colleagues, friends, and especially her family for their unwavering support, encouragement, motivation, and provision of the best conditions that enabled her to successfully defend her dissertation and achieve her doctoral degree.
Some images from the ceremony:
Article and photos: Institute for Sustainable Development
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