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to Table of ContentsThe purpose of this research proposal to bring basic and rigorous academic research and theory, as well as academic dialogue, to bear on two problems:
(1) How to move from forms of "extreme" Taylorism to what we will call French Taylorism in a series of experiments in wage systems and working conditions? French Taylorism is the evolution of scientific management in augmenting productivity by introducing multi-skilling of workers, negotiation between employer and employees, and stressing the importance of fair work rates and fair piece rate compensation. In the words of Frederick Taylor, "the prosperity for the employee [is] coupled with prosperity for the employer" (1911: 72).
(2) How to reliably and validly monitor transnational corporate behavior in the apparel industry (with or without government)? We are interested in developing appropriate scientific methods in measuring and observing the conduct of corporate and government labor practices.
We are not requesting monies from any corporation or subcontractor in the Athletic Apparel industry for this research. Forty-five academic scholars are agreeing to work with five designated country experts to conduct the most rigorous research yet attempted on four basic research questions. In the first three questions we are proposing to do "action research" experiments with alternative wage systems, working conditions, and efficiency approaches. Action research is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders in developing research findings with the goal of creating positive change. The four research questions are:
How have Athletic Apparel Corporations enacted their espoused Code of Conduct over time? This study group will focus on monitoring studies by PWC, FLA, and Global Alliance, as well as studies that support and question their methods and findings.
Do Logo Corporations in Athletic Apparel Industry pay a living wage? This study group will sample subcontract factory workers, review factory payroll records, and collect data that will measure and validate various living wage formula. In addition we are proposing action research experiments that would implement and test various wage-payment schemes in a sample of factories across nations identified in Table Two.
Do Logo Corporations in Athletic Apparel Industry subcontract with "sweatshops"? This study group will look at definitions of sweatshops and measure said variables in a sample of subcontract factories. In addition, they will propose and conduct action research experiments that test what we described in our review as forms of French Taylorism. This way a sample of existing subcontract firms can be compared with the experimental options.
What is the relationship between Fair Labor Association (FLA) and Workers Rights Consortium (WRC)? This study group will focus on the monitoring efforts of FLA and WRC by sampling colleges and universities with and without FLA and/or WRC agreements.
The purpose of the research is to develop interdisciplinary work and dialogue that will address a set of research questions that is of growing concern to academics, the general public, and the logo Corporations. Basic research while important is not sufficient. We propose to embark upon action research initiative that brings various stakeholders (researchers, workers, corporate executives, managers, subcontractor mangers, governmental and non-governmental organizations) together to implement change.
Thank you,
David M. Boje, Ph.D.