Normative pressure from media coverage can compel firms to address MS in their SCs (Sokat and Altay, 2022). Activists have become proficient in using social media to hold MNCs accountable for unsustainable practices (Paulraj et al., 2017)

Low-tier suppliers decouple implementation of sustainable practices due to conflicting institutional logics; they use various decoupling strategies such as concealment, misleading presentation and symbolic adoption (Nath et al., 2020)

Institutional pressures for sustainability can cause symbolic rather than substantive adoption of sustainability standards, leading to SC corruption practices (Silvestre et al., 2020)

Firms with SCs in countries with weak and/or deficient institutions must engage in institutional work to create institutional infrastructure for proper functioning of their SCs (Wu and Jia, 2018)

Analyze the role of the media in applying normative pressure on firms to address MS

Examine how conflicting institutional logics can cause low-tier suppliers to decouple implementation of MS-free practices, and the decoupling strategies they may use

Investigate how institutional pressures may cause symbolic rather than substantive adoption of MS-free practices

Using the concept of institutional work, investigate how firms can create or enhance institutions that foster MS-free practices in their SCs in countries with weak, deficient, absent or corrupt institutions

Media reports of allegations of MS can have detrimental impact on the firms involved (Sokat and Altay, 2022)

Future empirical research may investigate the media as a stakeholder group and how it can influence firms to address MS

Socially sustainable SCs can enhance firm reputation and performance (Moxham and Kauppi, 2014). Allegations or evidence of MS can damage firm reputation and tarnish corporate brands (Sokat and Altay, 2022). A well-maintained corporate reputation is a valuable, rare and inimitable resource (Barney, 1991)

Firms can use blockchain technology to ensure traceability of products in SCs and gain competitive advantages (Rogerson and Parry, 2020). Blockchain can increase transparency which helps to protect workers’ rights (Benstead et al., 2022), and reduce deceptive recruitment of migrant workers (Christ and Helliar, 2021)

Future empirical research can analyze how slavery-free SCs can be a valuable resource that enhances corporate reputation and competitiveness

More empirical research is required on how firms can use new technologies such as blockchain to combat MS and gain competitive advantages

Power dynamics between firms and suppliers influence management of sustainability issues; although powerful firms can enforce suppliers’ sustainability, asymmetric power relations can impede sustainability efforts (Touboulic et al., 2014)

Analyze power dynamics in buyer–supplier relationships and how they affect dissemination and implementation of slavery-free practices in SCs

New technologies can address agency issues, for instance, blockchain technology can increase SC visibility, information transparency and trust (Rogerson and Parry, 2020). Biomarker technology can improve visibility and traceability (Lafargue et al., 2022)

Suppliers’ ability to implement buying firms’ social standards is influenced by agency problems embedded in institutional, social and cultural settings in which they are located (Yu, 2008)

Empirically investigate how new technologies such as blockchain could address agency problems in SCs and help eliminate MS.

Examine how agency problems in diverse settings can contribute toward MS, and influence the implementation of MS-free practices

Technologies that reduce the cost of implementing sustainable practices in SCs are likely to be adopted (Connelly et al., 2011). Some researchers have explored new technologies that can help tackle social issues and MS in SCs (e.g. Lafargue et al., 2022)

TCE focuses on how firms and their managers can maximize gains and minimize costs (Williamson, 1981). Low-tier suppliers or subcontractors can introduce slavery into SCs, unbeknownst to firms (Liu et al., 2022)

More empirical research is required to understand how innovative technologies may reduce transaction costs of implementing slavery-free practices in SCs

In-depth empirical research is required on how minor parties such as low-tier suppliers can become the centre of influence in transactions costs in SCs through the use of slave labor