CASE STUDY

CSR transmission modes in the buyer–supplier relationship: The case studies of garment companies in Vietnam

Ha Le Hai Dinh1 | Duong Thuy Le 1 | Thi Thai Ha Le1 | Minh Hoang Nguyen2 | Hung Vu Nguyen

Received: 7 September 2022 Revised: 2 September 2023 Accepted: 13 September 2023

First published: 21 September 2023

https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2626

Abstract

This paper investigates the mechanisms under which the transmission of CSR practices and values could be successfully attained in buyer-supplier relationships, particularly in the context of garment supply chains that involve developing country suppliers. Examining the buyer-supplier dyadic CSR transmission process through the lens of an inter-organizational learning perspective rather than the traditional compliance-based one, this study proposes four distinct CSR transmission modes: Monitoring – Compliance, Capacity building – Internalization, Demonstration – Adaptation, and Role modeling – Imitation. Notably, the findings reveal that without buyers’ stringent CSR management techniques, CSR practices and values can still be successfully transmitted to suppliers with the aid of proper learning facilitators. The theoretical and practical contributions of the paper are also provided.

Keywords buyer–supplier relationship, case study, corporate social responsibility, CSR transmission modes, garment firms, inter-organizational learning