This Thursday, the Transformers Foundation releases its annual report, this year’s report focuses on the complexities of fashion-focused MSIs (multi-stakeholder initiatives) and their governance. It dives into supplier inclusion and exclusion, revealing insights into how MSIs operate behind the scenes—from the perspectives of manufacturers. The findings highlight that manufacturers often perceive MSIs as developing strategies that don’t always reflect their interests or the collective good. Structural and functional barriers, such as time, resources, biases, and limited access to voting, frequently hinder supplier participation in MSIs. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m proud that the solutions proposed in this report build on my previous work adapting the organizational theory of #fairprocess for an MSI context. The report builds on the three fair process principles, suggesting they could transform MSIs for the better:
👉 Acknowledging and Reducing Bias: The report calls for non-biased decision-making that respects participants' perceptions of fairness. MSIs must recognize bias and ensure a process where members feel treated equitably.
👉 Equitable Engagement and Decision-Making: The findings highlight that it is not just about giving suppliers a seat at the table—they need a meaningful voice. Equitable engagement can address power imbalances and reduce participation barriers for suppliers.
👉 Transparency in the Process: The report supports that building trust and buy-in requires transparency. Clear rules about decision-making, open communication, and transparency on how decisions are made are all essential.
Moreover, the report highlights something I think will be increasingly key, as a community, we need to spend more time thinking about the process! Because unjust processes are leading to unjust outcomes.
Transformers report focuses on suppliers' perspectives, but I believe that the principles of fair process can be applied to many other contexts, such as worker agency, and just transitions more broadly.
Thank you to the incredible team behind this report - Elizabeth Cline, Kim van der Weerd, Marzia Lanfranchi, and many others, for considering and building on my research findings. I’m excited for the discussion! Download the report and join the launch on November 14.
🚀 Launching “Collective Action Reimagined: A Call for Fair Process and Supplier Inclusion in Fashion’s Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives” 🚀
Our 2024 deep dive report uncovers the structural and systemic barriers that prevent suppliers from meaningful engagement in MSIs. These barriers perpetuate exclusion, undermine sustainability efforts, and prevent real collective progress.
The solution? A fair process model that centers transparency, equitable decision-making, and inclusive engagement.
📄 Ready to transform how fashion’s future is shaped?
Dive into the full report: https://lnkd.in/ePz2gUPb
Register for the launch webinar: https://lnkd.in/grJGsSiD
#SustainabilityInFashion #SupplierInclusion #MSIs #TransformersFoundation #FairProcess
- Consultant in small and big.
7mo"Unlocking our own human awareness and transformation of ourselves is at the very core of any systems transformation." - Nice words, exciting to see where they lead 🤔 and whom will transforn.