The RESPECT story With civil society raising concern over corporate responsibility practices, investment on CSR policies all along supply chains is becoming the norm. However, sourcing strategies are too frequently kept apart from responsible practices. Short deadlines, tight prices, incomplete planning and unfavorable payment conditions are often imposed upon suppliers during purchasing negotiations, undermining their aptitude to ensure fair work conditions for their staff. While this is partly due to a lack of real commitment from different actors, it is also often because of the lack of dialogue and understanding between supply chain stakeholders. (extract of the e-book published by the RESPECT project - full version available at the end of the slides. The Respect project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.)

1. The RESPECT STORY
for more responsible purchasing practices
A E u r o p e a n P r o j e c t i n t h e Te x t i l e I n d u s t r y

2. WHY RESPECT?
With civil society raising concerns over corporate responsibility practices,
investment in CSR policies all along the supply chain are becoming the norm.
However, sourcing strategies are often too far removed from responsible practices.
Short deadlines, tight prices, incomplete planning and unfavorable payment
conditions are often imposed upon suppliers during purchasing negotiations,
undermining their ability to ensure fair working conditions for their staff.
While this is partly due to a lack of real commitment from different actors, it is also
often because of the lack of dialogue and understanding between stakeholders in
the supply chain.
www.responsible-practices.eu
The RESPECT Story e-book for more Responsible Purchasing Practices - www.responsible-practices.eu

3. Get this ready for
yesterday, at the
cheapest price!
Lack of dialogue & understanding between stakeholders in the supply chain:
I want choices!
I want reasonable
prices!
I would like to pay my workers
more, but to remain competitive, I
have to ensure that my staff is
flexible and low-cost.
I don’t have any other
choice, if I complain I
might lose my job!
Initial Context
The RESPECT Story e-book for more Responsible Purchasing Practices - www.responsible-practices.eu

4. Unfair purchasing practices jeopardize CSR implementation within supply chains.
Let’s take that into
consideration. A sustainability
clause will be added to
suppliers’ contracts; however,
we will still need to look for the
cheapest prices and the
quickest delivery times!
I am concerned about
sustainable practices, and
am willing to pay a little bit
more to ensure the
products I use are ethical.
I cannot implement CSR
while having to deal with
these harsh purchasing
conditions!
I don’t see any changes
in my working
conditions…
I need respect !
Over the last couple of years, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR )
has become a common preoccupation within supply chains.
However:
The RESPECT Story e-book for more Responsible Purchasing Practices - www.responsible-practices.eu

5. Sourcing strategies are too frequently kept apart from responsible practices. Short
deadlines, tight prices, incomplete planning and unfavorable payment conditions
are often imposed upon suppliers during purchasing negotiations, undermining
their ability to ensure fair working conditions for their staff.
In order to have an effective impact on workers’ welfare, purchasing practices need
to be integrated into companies’ CSR efforts
Low
Prices
Short
Deadlines
Consumers want choices
and cheap prices
Short
lead-time
Working
overtime
Employees work more and
are still paid low salaries
Increased
Accidents
Purchasing negotiations
Purchasing practices issues
The RESPECT Story e-book for more Responsible Purchasing Practices - www.responsible-practices.eu

6. Needs
Traceability of products
I want to know the production steps and the origin of the products I
consume!
I need to be part of the process!
My rights need to be respected! I want to be heard..
Respect
I need more information on the topic, as sometimes I am unaware of
the consequences of my purchasing practices. To achieve
awareness among my staff, I need communication materials and
assessment tools. Also, I am interested in processes that could
enhance dialogue with other stakeholders, in order to find innovative
remediation solutions that respect CSR.
Transparency
I need communication channels to share my experience with other
stakeholders in the supply chain.
I also need assessment, communication, and planning tools; they
will help me to negotiate efficiently with buyers!
Exchange of experiences
The RESPECT Story e-book for more Responsible Purchasing Practices - www.responsible-practices.eu

7. WHAT CAN BE DONE
TO CHANGE IT?
The RESPECT Story e-book for more Responsible Purchasing Practices - www.responsible-practices.eu

8. . . . See the full e-book at:
(84 pages - free access)
http://issuu.com/yvesfb/docs/respect-story-e-book-v03a
. . . and more info at:
www.responsible-practices.eu
You liked it or want to get involved!
Please let us know: info@responsible-practices.eu
You also may order a paper copy on-line via the print-on-demand facility at:
www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?contributorId=1225922

9. The Respect project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible
for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Programme: Leonardo da Vinci
# CH2011‐1‐CH1‐LEO05‐00044 www.responsible-practices.eu