Readymade Garments Sector Of Bangladesh Research Articles

Leading in the digital age: the perspectives of the readymade garments sector of Bangladesh

The prime objective of the research was to determine how the RMG sector is embracing digitization and its leaders are preparing for the digital age? so we investigated the influence of three variables- use of atomized digital machines, use of smartphones and apps, internet of things and what type of leadership style is needed for digital leadership. The present study used a sample of 50 RMG companies. Further, the variables’ influence on digitization has been assessed through multiple factors leading to digitization by allotment of weightage for each factor. The findings in this paper support two variables; use of automized digital machines and internet of things being significant whereas, the use of smartphones and apps is insignificant. It implies that preparation for leading in the digital age remains limited which require incorporation at all levels. The paper leads to a research question for future researchers that despite being very much important theoretically, why the use of smartphones are non-significant in RMG sector? Limitations of the paper include the data which is specific to Bangladesh RMG industry, therefore it cannot be generalized, further the economic meltdown due to COVID-19 pandemic might have influenced the results. The paper’s prime contribution is based on the assessment of predictor variables and their influence that it makes in providing leadership in the digital age.

Public Perception of Financial Incentives During COVID-19: A Case Study of the Ready-Made Garment Sector in Bangladesh

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are considering resilience factors for global industry to provide public policy experts with field insights. Financial incentives are one tool used to support industry. This article focuses on the ready-made garment sector suggesting there is a relationship between incentives and workers in this industry, specifically when facility owners anticipate incentives from the government. The primary findings are that sector respondents are aware incentives by the government will be provided, that additional support allocations can be used for alternative uses by the owners, and that the sector is recovering by utilizing resilience factors.

Ready-made garment industry attractiveness: the case of Bangladesh garments’ blue-collar employees

PurposeThis study illustrates the effects of the motivating factors (e.g. learning facilities, employees' compensation and working environment) on organizational attractiveness.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quantitative study. This study investigates the hypotheses based on the 160 employee responses from the different garments operating in Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMGs) industry.FindingsUsing the structural equation modeling in Bangladesh's RMG industry, this paper argues that the working environment has a significant effect on organizational attractiveness in Bangladesh's RMG industry. This research study underlines that the working environment and employee compensations serve better than the employees learning facilities to grow employees RMG attraction.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings will help practitioners of the garment manufacturers to showcase the motivating factors for the employees in growing attraction for the industry. However, the research is limited to the garment industry in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Moreover, similar research can be extended further in other countries with bigger samples to draw a general conclusion for the RMGs' operating in Asia.Practical implicationsThis paper brings a plea for the practitioners through this research's outcomes and provides useful indications of how organizations can motivate their employees to ensure organizational attractiveness for their garment industry.Originality/valueThe paper also contributes to the body of the literature relating to attractiveness in Bangladesh's RMG sector. Employees' participation in this research also confirms the unique context of the sector.

Discrimination of Women at RMG Sector in Bangladesh

Women are discriminated in professional, personal and community levels by their male counterpart across the globe in general. More specifically, women are not treated equally at workplace in many societies due to the dominance of patriarchal social system and traditional norms. Women equity and empowerment are spoken widely, but these are not practiced in reality. The primary aim of this study is to explore the women’s current position and status at the workplace in Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh in terms of wages, promotions, safety and security. Secondly, this paper highlights the challenges that women face at RMG. This paper adopts qualitative approach to study this crucial issues. This study also congregates and analyses the most pertinent data both from the existing literature and primary sources. In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) have been conducted among the female RMG workers appointed in different industrial zones in Bangladesh. This study has some remarkable findings such as, a) women employee do not get proper respect at workplace from their male colleagues. b) Women are often harassed verbally by their male coworkers. c) Owners, managers and supervisors have the bad intention to fulfill their sexual desire with female workers. d) Male supervisors often force their female subordinates to do overtime till the late night. e) Though female workers are doing the same job, but they do not get proper justice in terms of getting desired job posting, salary on time and promotions based on their skills and competencies. Finally, this study focuses on resolving the issues of gender discrimination at the workplace and contributes towards the equity and empowerment of women in RMG sector in Bangladesh.

Human Resources Management Practices and Total Quality Management (TQM) is the Precondition to Gain the Sustainable Competitive Advantage in the Bangladesh Ready-Made Garments Sector

Bangladesh Garments manufacturing industry is expanding at a rate of 20% per year and around 76% of the export earnings are came from RMG sector (BEPB, 2018). Currently 4.2 million workers are working in this sector where 4490 manufacturing units are in operation (BGMEA, 2018). Bangladesh Ready-Made Garments (RMG) shows remarkable growth and significant contribution in the country's economic development though product and service qualities are yet a considerable problem to worry about. RMG companies in Bangladesh are not fully aware about the impacts and value of Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation. At the same time, Bangladesh garments industry fully labor intensive rather than technology oriented as Bangladesh is the cheapest labor country, the average labor cost per hour is only $0.3.Researchers argue that effective implementation of HRM and TQM practices is a main criteria and predictor of gaining sustainability in business. As, it is notable to mention that in case of Bangladesh RMG sector most of the existing literature give more emphasis and discuss about the infrastructural and strategic matters whereas TQM and Human Resource Management (HRM) practices in an attempt to improve sustainable competitive advantage is still a debate both theoretically as well as empirically. In this research tried to point out that HRM practices and TQM are positively related to organizational sustainable competitive advantage. In this aspect, literature's proved that, HR practices didn't get much attention which need to be measured and analysis in the aspect of Bangladesh RMG sectors quality performance improvement as in RMG sector human resources is the main advantage for industrial growth and sustainable competitive advantage in business. So this study is required to lift up this expectation to fulfill this research gap So there is a huge gap for further research. Proposed research direction and conclusion are discussed in conclusion of this research.

Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Ready-Made Garment Industry of Bangladesh in Order to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals: A Study on Bangladeshi Garment Manufacturers

The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector has played the most momentous role for the economic development of Bangladesh. To achieve the culmination, this labor-intensive industry needs to go through sustainable practices with the adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in its garment manufacturing chain. CSR, being a fast-developing phenomenon in industrial arena, is drawing the attention of world-renowned apparel buyers working with Bangladesh. After a few tragic occurrences, for instance, Rana Plaza collapse & Tazreen Fashion fire, the reputation of the RMG sector of Bangladesh has been somewhat blemished. Presently, this scenario is being changed since a considerable number of Bangladeshi garment producers have adopted CSR practices spending a huge sum of money. This study shows the current status of sustainable development through the implementation of CSR practices in the RMG industry of Bangladesh.

Softy – An Affordable Healthcare Product for Low Paid Female Workers at Readymade Garment Industry

Historically, manufacturing of Readymade Garment (RMG) had not been static in a particular country or region. On account of manufacturing cost, very specifically on wage hike issue, RMG manufacturing process has been shifted from developed countries like USA and UK to the least developed one like Bangladesh via Japan and Asian 4 Tigers’ economic region as water always flows downtrend. Traditionally, due to light nature/process of work, females and even some cases adolescent girls, are heavily employed in the sector. The various studies reveal that around 80 percent of total workforces in Bangladesh’s RMG sector is female i.e. 3.7 ml females of total 4.6 ml are directly employed in Bangladesh RMG sector. Though a huge number of females are employment yet, they have to struggle to meet their basic needs, where affordability of sanitary napkin is a far-reaching dream to them. The workers suffer from various diseases and the industry losses productivity due to absenteeism, migration, and on account of unhygienic menstrual management. Availability of low-cost sanitary napkin can ensure good health of the workforce, reduce migration and increase productivity. It’s a win-win situation for the workers and employers.

An Analysis of Quality Human Resource Management (HRM) Practices in Bangladesh Ready-Made Garments Sector

Bangladesh Ready-Made Garments (RMG) had grown significantly over the last decades in every term but unfortunately quality of locally produced goods is still an issue. According to BGMEA report (2014) RMG consists around 40% manufacturing as well as 50% of the total workforce and 78% of total export earnings generated from this sector. Most of the employees in RMG are women, around 90%, where 4.2 million people are working in this sector. However, the potential growth and prospect in the Bangladesh RMG sector is huge. And for using these opportunities it should focus on the proper implementation of HR policies to emphasis quality performance. In recent knowledge-based economic condition, human resource is the most crucial resource as organizational effectiveness and efficiency is largely depends on the utilization capacity of this resource, especially in the case of Ready-made Garments industry in Bangladesh. Yet, the realities for RMG organizations are that their people remain undervalued, under-trained, and underutilized. Due to improper HR practices, labor unrest rate in RMG is high, and the employee productivity rate is lower than its competitors. As RMG is the rising sector for further investment, now a day a much concern is needed to improve and sustain garments companies growth. Human Resource Management requires much more concern in the Bangladesh RMG sector. In this aspect, literature proved that HR practices didn’t get much attention, which need to be measured and analyzed in the aspect of Bangladesh RMG sectors quality performance improvement as in RMG sector human resources is the main advantage for industrial growth and sustainable competitive advantage in business. So this study is required to lift up this expectation to fulfill this research gap

Impact of safety and Health Measures on workers Productivity in the Readymade Garments Sector of Bangladesh

This study aims to investigate the impact of safety and health measures on workers' productivity in the tradymade garments (RUG) sector in Bangladesh A quantitative research method was applied where 202 structured questionnaires were used to be filled up by the workers front 15 RUG factories offour selected areas of Bangladesh (Gaziput: Ashulia, Tongi, andUltara).The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS software (Version- 20) by adopting different statistical tools such as descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. This study found that the overall condition of workers. afety is satisfactory; however irorkers'health hazard is the problem because of various diseases that affect the workers' health during their working life. The study results supported that there is a positive relationship between health and safety measures and workers' productivity Particularly, safety and machinery hav e a significant positive impact on the level of employee productivity The study concluded that workers' productivity has been gradually increased after the implementation of health and safety standards. Finally this paper will be useful for policy makers to mitigate the existing problems regarding health and safety issues in the RUG industry in Bangladesh.

A Study on the Occupational Safety and Health in Perspective of Disaster Management Approach: Research on Ready-Made Garments Sector of Bangladesh

A Study on the Occupational Safety and Health in Perspective of Disaster Management Approach: Research on Ready-Made Garments Sector of Bangladesh

Labour Laws in the Garment Sector of Bangladesh: a Workers’ View

The labour laws of Bangladesh ensure the rights of the labourers. The objective of this study is to explore the labour law practices in the ready-made garment sector of Bangladesh. The survey is used to collect data, percentile and descriptive statistics are used to interpret the results. Most of the cases’ employment conditions-maternity benefit, working hours, paid leave, sufficient wage- are at a satisfactory level but improvements are sometimes needed concerning trade unions, profit participation and health issues. The garment sector should implement the labour laws for the welfare of the labourers and the situation needs monitoring by the government. The purpose of the study ‘Labour Laws in the Garment Sector of Bangladesh: A Workers’ View’ by Mohammad Shahidul Islam and Abdur Rakib (Bangladesh) is to investigate labour law practices in the garment sector in Bangladesh. With a questionnaire, survey data was collected from companies and workers. The researchers concluded that in many cases the employment law situation was in order (i.e. employment conditions, maternity allowance, working hours and leave), but that in some cases improvement is needed (i.e. trade unions, profit participation, and the health of employees).

Green Human Resource Management Practices and Employee Engagement: Empirical Evidence from RMG sector in Bangladesh

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between green HRM practices and employee behavior namely employee engagement in ready-made garment (RMG) industry, Bangladesh, an under-researched area. Further, this paper also proposes the research framework under the tenet of resource-based view (RBV) theory by identifying research gaps. The framework is proposed for the direct influence of green HRM factors on employees’ workplace behavior. Self-administered questionnaire is used to collect the data from non-managerial employees working in RMG sector of Bangladesh. This study uses partial least squares method to analyze the data. Results of this study show that ‘green employee participation’ and ‘green training and development’ are statistically significant to employee engagement. These results suggests that green HRM practices are important resources to make the employees engage towards their jobs which reflects the implication of RBV to examine green HRM-employee engagement relationship.

Ready-Made Garments Sector of Bangladesh: Its Growth, Contribution and Challenges

Ready-Made Garments Sector of Bangladesh: Its Growth, Contribution and Challenges

Supplier Selection and Evaluation by Fuzzy-AHP Extent Analysis: A Case Study RMG Sector of Bangladesh

The ready-made garments (RMG)is a rapid growing industry in Bangladesh and contributing significantly in the country’s economy. Effective supplier selection policy has significant strategic importance in the performance of such fast moving consumer goods industry. The supplier selection process is essentially a multi-criterion decision making problem which, therefore, must be developed systematically. Many models have been developed and proposed to find optimum solutions of this complex decision-making problem. Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP), which is a derived extension of classical Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP),is an excellent method for deciding among the complex structure at different levels. In this paper an extent analysis of Fuzzy-AHP has been applied to evaluate and select the best supplier agency providing most satisfaction. The evaluation criteria are developed particularly for an RMG manufacturer in Bangladesh context and used successfully in the proposed model. A detailed implementation process is presented in this paper and finally the best supplier agency has been proposed from the outcome of the model.

Women Empowerment or Gender Equality: Which One Should Come First for Augmenting Satisfaction and Performance of Female Employees: A study on the Ready-made Garment Sector of Bangladesh

In this era of globalization, numerous court rulings and laws have legitimized women empowerment and their right to be treated equally both at the society and at the workplace. Yet certain discriminatory behaviors remind females that they are not truly equal at the workplace. Ready-made Garments (RMG) sector, especially of a developing and a male dominated country like Bangladesh, is also not an exception to that. Although women empowerment and gender equality are interrelated concepts; this paper tried to find out among these two concepts which one should be emphasized to enhance the job-satisfaction and performance of the female employees' in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. Data were gathered following a quantitative survey by a structured questionnaire conducted among a diverse group of female employees (N = 350) working in 30 different ready-made garment factories of Bangladesh following convenience random sampling method. For analysis purpose, several statistical techniques have been applied using SPSS software. Based on the analysis it was found that gender inequality impedes women empowerment. This study, therefore, recommends that gender equality should be emphasized over women empowerment to augment the job satisfaction and performance of the female employees in the RMG sector of Bangladesh.

Supplier Selection and Evaluation by Fuzzy-AHP Extent Analysis: A Case Study RMG Sector of Bangladesh

The ready-made garments (RMG)is a rapid growing industry in Bangladesh and contributing significantly in the country’s economy. Effective supplier selection policy has significant strategic importance in the performance of such fast moving consumer goods industry. The supplier selection process is essentially a multi-criterion decision making problem which, therefore, must be developed systematically. Many models have been developed and proposed to find optimum solutions of this complex decision-making problem. Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP), which is a derived extension of classical Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP),is an excellent method for deciding among the complex structure at different levels. In this paper an extent analysis of Fuzzy-AHP has been applied to evaluate and select the best supplier agency providing most satisfaction. The evaluation criteria are developed particularly for an RMG manufacturer in Bangladesh context and used successfully in the proposed model. A detailed implementation process is presented in this paper and finally the best supplier agency has been proposed from the outcome of the model.

“Decent work” in the ready-made garment sector in Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the perspectives of 26 business owners, managers and supervisors on “decent work” (DW) in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative study draws on a framework of ethical human resource management and situated moral agency to establish the ways in which RMG workers are afforded DW. This study uses semi-structured interviews to assess the prospect of DW through applying the ILO’s four-pillar framework of DW.FindingsFindings indicate there is a concern among owners and managers of the need to reconcile internal and external pressures to maintain and improve DW. It is evident that ethical practices and moral agency are not self-initiated but in response to mounting political and legal pressures and those of external stakeholders. Employers favour the concept of workers’ participation committees as one means to communicate and negotiate with workers rather than recognise trade unions.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to six organisations in the RMG sector in Bangladesh, but there are implications for all RMG sector organisations to promote reform and DW for all workers.Practical implicationsDW necessitates major national and international stakeholders to negotiate and cooperate to ensure the long-term competitiveness and survival of the Bangladeshi RMG sector.Originality/valueThe study calls for reform in a developing country where many workers are denied DW.

Revisiting Empowerment: Rising Female Unemployment in the Bangladesh Garment Sector

Economic exploitation faced by workers in Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry, in recent decades has provided millions of Bangladeshi women with opportunities for improved social status and reduced dependence on structures of patriarchy. In recent years, there has been a marked decline in both overall employment in Bangladesh's RMG sector, as well as the rate of female participation in it. This paper examines the reasons for this recent contraction in the sector, and raises the issue of its present and future impact on the status of women in Bangladesh.

Quality of Work Life among Women Employees Working in RMG Sector of Bangladesh

“Quality of work life” has become the buzzword for the contemporary organization. Employees are more concern about their work environment ever, which is one of the most important factors to determine the quality of work life (QWL). It refers to the favorableness or unpleasantness of a job environment for people. The increased complexity of today’s work environment poses several challenges, especially for women employees who are working in different garment factories. It is now the high time for the Ready-made Garment (RMG) sector to be aware of improving the QWL. Our study focused on the factors influencing the quality of work life of women employees, their level of job satisfaction. We have tried to assess the QWL of women employees working in selected garment factories which are located in Gazipur district. We have collected data through a semi-structured questionnaire from a sample of 500 women employees. The findings of the study project various indications about concerned issues where the organization can concentrate to bring about better QWL life so that they get more satisfied women workforce. For statistical analysis mean, percentage, hypothesis testing, ranking order method and weighted average method were calculated. The ultimate findings of the study reveal that there is a significant relationship between work experience and participation in decision making for women employees. The survey study also shows that authority’s willingness is also an influential parameter to improve the QWL. Another interesting finding of our survey focuses that women employees have been given the least priority to salary as a measure to enhance QWL.

Study on Practice of Soft Skills among the Workforce: A Case from Ready Made Garment (RMG) Industry of Bangladesh

The aim of this research is to identify the practice of soft skills in the workforce in the RMG sector. Data has been collected using a structured questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was used to determine the sample. Findings reveal that reliability is the most practiced skill whereas networking is the least practiced among the other given variables. In addition, the study showed that family and self-motivation are the sources of developing soft skills. The results indicate that the practice of soft skills are comparatively low in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. The findings of the research will assist the managers of RMG to review and incorporate the desired soft skills in their practice.