Redefining Classification of Civil Regulation: Child Labor in the Global Supply Chain

Redefining Classification of Civil Regulation: Child Labor in the Global Supply Chain

As globalization has unfolded, the number of transnational corporations (TNCs) has dramatically increased. Operating under multiple national jurisdictions, TNCs are often not fully regulated by policies in the countries where they operate. This paper will mainly discuss how civil society organizations stepped in with alternative regulatory instruments to regulate the employment of child labor in the global supply chain, especially in the carpet and garment industries. Known as “civil regulation,” it attempts to govern corporate affairs and global firms’ supply networks addressing labor practices, environmental performance, and human rights issues. Since there is no universal framework to classifying types of civil regulation, several available models are consolidated into a single one. This research has the opportunity to contribute to establishing a more clearly outlined conceptual framework of civil regulation.