Assignment Prompt & Instructions
All information in 2 files below
1 file is the requiremnets and explanation and the second file is an example
– 2 years ago
**files (2)**
– ## N1658courseworkreport2025.pdf
– N1658-Courseworkreport.docx
**## N1658courseworkreport2025.pdf**
1
Managing Sustainability in Global Value Chains (N1658)
Coursework report: Company Reporting and Modern Slavery
1. Aim
The coursework report for Managing Sustainability in Global Value Chains is designed to
allow you to evaluate one of the main mechanisms established by the UK government for
businesses to report on the social sustainability of their global value chains. The Modern
Slavery Act in the UK was established in 2015 and obligates businesses “to report annually
on the efforts they have undertaken to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery in
their supply chain” (Voss et al (2019: 62-63).
The coursework report will focus on two key activities:
(a) your assessment of the content and coverage of a sample of company reports in a
sector and value chain of your choice which have been submitted under the Modern
Slavery Act, and
(b) your evaluation of the effectiveness of the reported statements, their limits in dealing
with modern slavery in global value chains, and what businesses might do to improve
social sustainability.
The coursework report accounts for 30% of your module mark for N1658.
2. Learning objectives
The coursework report will allow you to address two of the modules learning objectives:
LO2: “make appropriate use of frameworks and examples to analyse global value chain
sustainability processes and programmes”
LO3: “Critically evaluate the management challenges in the relationship between social …
sustainability and global value chains” (LO3).
3. Approach
In developing and producing your coursework report a number of steps should be
followed:
(a) Select one main sector that interests you to investigate from the UK government’s
online database of Modern Slavery statements (the Modern Slavery Statement Registry) at
https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/. The Registry site is here:
[https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/](https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/)
2
The search function looks like this (click on ‘use search filters’):
You are then taken to a list of search options:
3
(b) Choose one year between 2020 and 2022 and the size of the company reporting. In
order to narrow the search down I suggest you either choose companies over £500 million
turnover, or select some larger and some smaller companies for comparison.
(c) Choose a sector with activity normally associated with global value chains (see notes
below). The sectors listed are:
• Automotive, machinery and heavy electrical equipment (possible)
• Charitable / not-for-profit activities (unlikely)
• Cleaning and security services (unlikely)
• Construction, civil engineering and building products (unlikely)
• Consumer services, including accommodation, hospitality, tourism and leisure
(possible)
• Cosmetics and toiletries (possible)
• Defence and aerospace (likely)
• Durable consumer goods, including electronics and appliances, home furnishings
and other accessories (likely)
• Education and research (unlikely)
4
• Fashion, textiles, apparel and luxury goods (likely)
• Financial, insurance and real estate activities (unlikely)
• Food and beverages, agriculture and fishing (likely)
• Forestry, timber products, paper and containers and packaging (likely)
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals (likely)
• Information technology and telecommunication (likely)
• Media, publishing, arts and entertainment (unlikely)
• Mining, metals, chemicals and resources (including oil and gas) (possible)
• Professional and administrative services and supplies, including legal, consulting
and accounting services (unlikely)
• Public sector (unlikely)
• Transportation, logistics, and storage (unlikely)
• Utilities: gas, water and electricity (unlikely)
• Waste management and recycling (unlikely)
• Other (N/A)
(d) Once you have chosen your search criteria you will be presented with a list of
companies. For example, searching for “Fashion, textiles, apparel and luxury goods” over
£500 million turnover in 2021 provides a list of 93 companies, including some of the largest
UK based retailers such as H&M, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Hilfiger, and many leading
supermarkets:
5
(e) From your search results list, select 10 companies to focus your analysis on (NB. you
should include a list of the companies that you have focused on and your rationale for
selecting them as an appendix to your report (not included in the word count – see
Appendix 2)).
(f) Using the links on the database, (i) connect to the Modern Slavery statements for each
of the selected companies and read and review the reports, and (ii) review the ‘statement
summary’ which provides a high-level summary of the company’s reporting that year. An
example for H&M is provided below:
6
(g) Assess the reports against the key criteria identified below and as discussed in class
(from Hsin 2019 and Voss et al 2019). You may wish to tabulate a summary of your findings
against these criteria in your report (not included in the word count):
(i) Compliance with reporting requirements: is the statement visible on the
company’s customer facing website; has it been signed off by an executive board
member?
(ii) Does the statement cover the company’s policies towards modern slavery?
(iii) Is there transparency around the company’s structure and its value chain and
reach (i.e. multiple tiers of the value chains)? If so, is this presented effectively to
allow an assessment of risk with regard to Modern Slavery?
(iv) Does the statement discuss how the company audits their activity in the value
chain? Who undertakes the audits (are these independently undertaken)? Is there
Link to H&M’s
Modern Slavery
statement here
Link to the company’s
‘statement summary’
here
7
mention of scope for worker involvement in the auditing process? Is there
discussion of auditing beyond first tier suppliers?
(v) Does the statement discuss the due diligence processes it undertakes with
respect to modern slavery? Is there discussion of due diligence beyond first tier
suppliers?
(vi) Does the statement discuss how the company undertakes a risk assessment
regarding modern slavery across its supply chains? Is there discussion of
assessment of risk beyond first tier suppliers?
(vii) Do employees and contractors receive training on identifying and dealing with
modern slavery in the value chain? Is it clear who in the company receives this
training? Is training provided to others throughout the value chain?
(viii) Is there any discussion about steps to remediate the consequences of modern
slavery if it is identified in the company’s value chain? Are these likely to be
effective?
(h) Use your analysis to produce a report which summarises your findings for the sample
of companies you have chosen. The structure for the report is provided in Appendix 2 with
details of the mark scheme and how your report will be assessed. You may choose to
present findings in tables or other graphical forms, but please also provide a summary
textual analysis of key points.
(i) Include a final section which reflects critically on your findings, especially with regard
to your assessment of the effectiveness of the UK’s approach to modern slavery reporting
requirements and what businesses might do to improve social sustainability. In this
reflection, please draw upon the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of the approach
discussed in the literature (see refence list below and in class materials).
(j) A detailed mark scheme for the coursework report is provided in Appendix 2.
4. Submission details
Submission deadline: 10th April 2025, 16.00
Word length: 1,200 words
Submission process: you should submit your report in Word or as a pdf on Canvas Turnitin
on the module Canvas site.
5. Assessment criteria
See table at Appendix 1 and for the detailed mark scheme see Appendix 2.
8
6. References
Bloomfield, M. and LeBaron, G. (2018) “The UK Modern Slavery Act: transparency through
disclosure”. E-International Relations. Available at: https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-
uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/
Hsin, L. (2019) “Five ways to work out if a company is serious about tackling modern
slavery”. The Conversation, 23rd October.
LeBaron, G. (2020) Combatting Modern Slavery: Why Labour Governance is Failing and What
We Can Do About It. Cambridge: Polity Press, pages 82-87 and 166-171
Voss, H. et al (2019) “International supply chains: compliance and engagement with the
Modern Slavery Act”. Journal of the British Academy 7(s1): 61-76.
[https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/](https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/)
[https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/](https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/)
9
Appendix 1. Assessment criteria
Poor
Below
35%
Insufficient
35-39%
Satisfactory
40-49%
Good
50-59%
Very Good
60-69%
Excellent
70-85%
Outstanding
Above 85%
Knowledge &
understanding
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Knowledge & understanding: Understanding of principles, concepts, theories and terminology related to modern slavery reporting and
transparency in global value chains
Application You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Application: Appropriate use of relevant theories, concepts and techniques applicable to modern slavery reporting and transparency in global
value chains
Critical thinking You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Critical thinking: Identification of principles and concepts underlying the frameworks used to assess modern slavery reporting and
transparency in global value chains, and ability to assess strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and competing perspectives
Reading &
research
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Reading & research: Correct referencing and use of reliable sources of information; evidence of own research as set out in the above rubric for
the coursework report requirements
Presentation &
style
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Presentation & style: Accurate and effective communication with structured presentation and coherent arguments; ability to communicate
viable solutions
10
Appendix 2. Mark scheme
Sections in your report No. of
words* Notes Marks
available
What your
markers are
hoping you’ll
show (see
descriptors in
Appendix 1)
1 Executive summary
– • Provide a short executive summary of
the report and its key findings
– –
2 Introduction
150
• Introduce the sectoral focus of the
report and explain why
• Provide a brief summary of the
methodology you have used
10 Knowledge &
understanding
3 Analysis of Modern Slavery reports
550
• Provide a summary analysis of the
reports you have sampled against the
key criteria (see point (f) above)
40
Knowledge &
understanding
Application
4 Reflections on findings
450
• Provide an assessment of the
effectiveness of Modern Slavery
reporting based on strengths and
weaknesses discussed in the literature
• Brief recommendations on how you
would improve Modern Slavery
reporting and business social
sustainability
40
Application
Critical thinking
5 Referencing/bibliography/presentation
–
• Reference in the Harvard style
• Present as a report (using headings and
sub-headings)
• Include a bibliography
10 Presentation &
style
11
• Ensure your work is clear and not
repetitive
• Appropriate use of tables and other
ways of summarising information
• Proofread and spell check
6 Appendix
–
• List of the companies that you have
focused on and rationale for their
selection
– –
*this is only a recommendation (and it leaves 50 words ‘spare’). Tables and diagrams, bibliography and appendix are not included in the
word count.
**N1658-Courseworkreport.docx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/n1658-courseworkreport-docx)
**N1658-Courseworkreport.docx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/n1658-courseworkreport-docx)
**## N1658courseworkreport2025.pdf**
1
Managing Sustainability in Global Value Chains (N1658)
Coursework report: Company Reporting and Modern Slavery
1. Aim
The coursework report for Managing Sustainability in Global Value Chains is designed to
allow you to evaluate one of the main mechanisms established by the UK government for
businesses to report on the social sustainability of their global value chains. The Modern
Slavery Act in the UK was established in 2015 and obligates businesses “to report annually
on the efforts they have undertaken to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery in
their supply chain” (Voss et al (2019: 62-63).
The coursework report will focus on two key activities:
(a) your assessment of the content and coverage of a sample of company reports in a
sector and value chain of your choice which have been submitted under the Modern
Slavery Act, and
(b) your evaluation of the effectiveness of the reported statements, their limits in dealing
with modern slavery in global value chains, and what businesses might do to improve
social sustainability.
The coursework report accounts for 30% of your module mark for N1658.
2. Learning objectives
The coursework report will allow you to address two of the modules learning objectives:
LO2: “make appropriate use of frameworks and examples to analyse global value chain
sustainability processes and programmes”
LO3: “Critically evaluate the management challenges in the relationship between social …
sustainability and global value chains” (LO3).
3. Approach
In developing and producing your coursework report a number of steps should be
followed:
(a) Select one main sector that interests you to investigate from the UK government’s
online database of Modern Slavery statements (the Modern Slavery Statement Registry) at
https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/. The Registry site is here:
[https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/](https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/)
2
The search function looks like this (click on ‘use search filters’):
You are then taken to a list of search options:
3
(b) Choose one year between 2020 and 2022 and the size of the company reporting. In
order to narrow the search down I suggest you either choose companies over £500 million
turnover, or select some larger and some smaller companies for comparison.
(c) Choose a sector with activity normally associated with global value chains (see notes
below). The sectors listed are:
• Automotive, machinery and heavy electrical equipment (possible)
• Charitable / not-for-profit activities (unlikely)
• Cleaning and security services (unlikely)
• Construction, civil engineering and building products (unlikely)
• Consumer services, including accommodation, hospitality, tourism and leisure
(possible)
• Cosmetics and toiletries (possible)
• Defence and aerospace (likely)
• Durable consumer goods, including electronics and appliances, home furnishings
and other accessories (likely)
• Education and research (unlikely)
4
• Fashion, textiles, apparel and luxury goods (likely)
• Financial, insurance and real estate activities (unlikely)
• Food and beverages, agriculture and fishing (likely)
• Forestry, timber products, paper and containers and packaging (likely)
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals (likely)
• Information technology and telecommunication (likely)
• Media, publishing, arts and entertainment (unlikely)
• Mining, metals, chemicals and resources (including oil and gas) (possible)
• Professional and administrative services and supplies, including legal, consulting
and accounting services (unlikely)
• Public sector (unlikely)
• Transportation, logistics, and storage (unlikely)
• Utilities: gas, water and electricity (unlikely)
• Waste management and recycling (unlikely)
• Other (N/A)
(d) Once you have chosen your search criteria you will be presented with a list of
companies. For example, searching for “Fashion, textiles, apparel and luxury goods” over
£500 million turnover in 2021 provides a list of 93 companies, including some of the largest
UK based retailers such as H&M, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Hilfiger, and many leading
supermarkets:
5
(e) From your search results list, select 10 companies to focus your analysis on (NB. you
should include a list of the companies that you have focused on and your rationale for
selecting them as an appendix to your report (not included in the word count – see
Appendix 2)).
(f) Using the links on the database, (i) connect to the Modern Slavery statements for each
of the selected companies and read and review the reports, and (ii) review the ‘statement
summary’ which provides a high-level summary of the company’s reporting that year. An
example for H&M is provided below:
6
(g) Assess the reports against the key criteria identified below and as discussed in class
(from Hsin 2019 and Voss et al 2019). You may wish to tabulate a summary of your findings
against these criteria in your report (not included in the word count):
(i) Compliance with reporting requirements: is the statement visible on the
company’s customer facing website; has it been signed off by an executive board
member?
(ii) Does the statement cover the company’s policies towards modern slavery?
(iii) Is there transparency around the company’s structure and its value chain and
reach (i.e. multiple tiers of the value chains)? If so, is this presented effectively to
allow an assessment of risk with regard to Modern Slavery?
(iv) Does the statement discuss how the company audits their activity in the value
chain? Who undertakes the audits (are these independently undertaken)? Is there
Link to H&M’s
Modern Slavery
statement here
Link to the company’s
‘statement summary’
here
7
mention of scope for worker involvement in the auditing process? Is there
discussion of auditing beyond first tier suppliers?
(v) Does the statement discuss the due diligence processes it undertakes with
respect to modern slavery? Is there discussion of due diligence beyond first tier
suppliers?
(vi) Does the statement discuss how the company undertakes a risk assessment
regarding modern slavery across its supply chains? Is there discussion of
assessment of risk beyond first tier suppliers?
(vii) Do employees and contractors receive training on identifying and dealing with
modern slavery in the value chain? Is it clear who in the company receives this
training? Is training provided to others throughout the value chain?
(viii) Is there any discussion about steps to remediate the consequences of modern
slavery if it is identified in the company’s value chain? Are these likely to be
effective?
(h) Use your analysis to produce a report which summarises your findings for the sample
of companies you have chosen. The structure for the report is provided in Appendix 2 with
details of the mark scheme and how your report will be assessed. You may choose to
present findings in tables or other graphical forms, but please also provide a summary
textual analysis of key points.
(i) Include a final section which reflects critically on your findings, especially with regard
to your assessment of the effectiveness of the UK’s approach to modern slavery reporting
requirements and what businesses might do to improve social sustainability. In this
reflection, please draw upon the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of the approach
discussed in the literature (see refence list below and in class materials).
(j) A detailed mark scheme for the coursework report is provided in Appendix 2.
4. Submission details
Submission deadline: 10th April 2025, 16.00
Word length: 1,200 words
Submission process: you should submit your report in Word or as a pdf on Canvas Turnitin
on the module Canvas site.
5. Assessment criteria
See table at Appendix 1 and for the detailed mark scheme see Appendix 2.
8
6. References
Bloomfield, M. and LeBaron, G. (2018) “The UK Modern Slavery Act: transparency through
disclosure”. E-International Relations. Available at: https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-
uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/
Hsin, L. (2019) “Five ways to work out if a company is serious about tackling modern
slavery”. The Conversation, 23rd October.
LeBaron, G. (2020) Combatting Modern Slavery: Why Labour Governance is Failing and What
We Can Do About It. Cambridge: Polity Press, pages 82-87 and 166-171
Voss, H. et al (2019) “International supply chains: compliance and engagement with the
Modern Slavery Act”. Journal of the British Academy 7(s1): 61-76.
[https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/](https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/)
[https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/](https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/)
9
Appendix 1. Assessment criteria
Poor
Below
35%
Insufficient
35-39%
Satisfactory
40-49%
Good
50-59%
Very Good
60-69%
Excellent
70-85%
Outstanding
Above 85%
Knowledge &
understanding
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Knowledge & understanding: Understanding of principles, concepts, theories and terminology related to modern slavery reporting and
transparency in global value chains
Application You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Application: Appropriate use of relevant theories, concepts and techniques applicable to modern slavery reporting and transparency in global
value chains
Critical thinking You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Critical thinking: Identification of principles and concepts underlying the frameworks used to assess modern slavery reporting and
transparency in global value chains, and ability to assess strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and competing perspectives
Reading &
research
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Reading & research: Correct referencing and use of reliable sources of information; evidence of own research as set out in the above rubric for
the coursework report requirements
Presentation &
style
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Presentation & style: Accurate and effective communication with structured presentation and coherent arguments; ability to communicate
viable solutions
10
Appendix 2. Mark scheme
Sections in your report No. of
words* Notes Marks
available
What your
markers are
hoping you’ll
show (see
descriptors in
Appendix 1)
1 Executive summary
– • Provide a short executive summary of
the report and its key findings
– –
2 Introduction
150
• Introduce the sectoral focus of the
report and explain why
• Provide a brief summary of the
methodology you have used
10 Knowledge &
understanding
3 Analysis of Modern Slavery reports
550
• Provide a summary analysis of the
reports you have sampled against the
key criteria (see point (f) above)
40
Knowledge &
understanding
Application
4 Reflections on findings
450
• Provide an assessment of the
effectiveness of Modern Slavery
reporting based on strengths and
weaknesses discussed in the literature
• Brief recommendations on how you
would improve Modern Slavery
reporting and business social
sustainability
40
Application
Critical thinking
5 Referencing/bibliography/presentation
–
• Reference in the Harvard style
• Present as a report (using headings and
sub-headings)
• Include a bibliography
10 Presentation &
style
11
• Ensure your work is clear and not
repetitive
• Appropriate use of tables and other
ways of summarising information
• Proofread and spell check
6 Appendix
–
• List of the companies that you have
focused on and rationale for their
selection
– –
*this is only a recommendation (and it leaves 50 words ‘spare’). Tables and diagrams, bibliography and appendix are not included in the
word count.
**N1658-Courseworkreport.docx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/n1658-courseworkreport-docx)
**## N1658courseworkreport2025.pdf**
1
Managing Sustainability in Global Value Chains (N1658)
Coursework report: Company Reporting and Modern Slavery
1. Aim
The coursework report for Managing Sustainability in Global Value Chains is designed to
allow you to evaluate one of the main mechanisms established by the UK government for
businesses to report on the social sustainability of their global value chains. The Modern
Slavery Act in the UK was established in 2015 and obligates businesses “to report annually
on the efforts they have undertaken to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery in
their supply chain” (Voss et al (2019: 62-63).
The coursework report will focus on two key activities:
(a) your assessment of the content and coverage of a sample of company reports in a
sector and value chain of your choice which have been submitted under the Modern
Slavery Act, and
(b) your evaluation of the effectiveness of the reported statements, their limits in dealing
with modern slavery in global value chains, and what businesses might do to improve
social sustainability.
The coursework report accounts for 30% of your module mark for N1658.
2. Learning objectives
The coursework report will allow you to address two of the modules learning objectives:
LO2: “make appropriate use of frameworks and examples to analyse global value chain
sustainability processes and programmes”
LO3: “Critically evaluate the management challenges in the relationship between social …
sustainability and global value chains” (LO3).
3. Approach
In developing and producing your coursework report a number of steps should be
followed:
(a) Select one main sector that interests you to investigate from the UK government’s
online database of Modern Slavery statements (the Modern Slavery Statement Registry) at
https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/. The Registry site is here:
[https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/](https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/)
2
The search function looks like this (click on ‘use search filters’):
You are then taken to a list of search options:
3
(b) Choose one year between 2020 and 2022 and the size of the company reporting. In
order to narrow the search down I suggest you either choose companies over £500 million
turnover, or select some larger and some smaller companies for comparison.
(c) Choose a sector with activity normally associated with global value chains (see notes
below). The sectors listed are:
• Automotive, machinery and heavy electrical equipment (possible)
• Charitable / not-for-profit activities (unlikely)
• Cleaning and security services (unlikely)
• Construction, civil engineering and building products (unlikely)
• Consumer services, including accommodation, hospitality, tourism and leisure
(possible)
• Cosmetics and toiletries (possible)
• Defence and aerospace (likely)
• Durable consumer goods, including electronics and appliances, home furnishings
and other accessories (likely)
• Education and research (unlikely)
4
• Fashion, textiles, apparel and luxury goods (likely)
• Financial, insurance and real estate activities (unlikely)
• Food and beverages, agriculture and fishing (likely)
• Forestry, timber products, paper and containers and packaging (likely)
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals (likely)
• Information technology and telecommunication (likely)
• Media, publishing, arts and entertainment (unlikely)
• Mining, metals, chemicals and resources (including oil and gas) (possible)
• Professional and administrative services and supplies, including legal, consulting
and accounting services (unlikely)
• Public sector (unlikely)
• Transportation, logistics, and storage (unlikely)
• Utilities: gas, water and electricity (unlikely)
• Waste management and recycling (unlikely)
• Other (N/A)
(d) Once you have chosen your search criteria you will be presented with a list of
companies. For example, searching for “Fashion, textiles, apparel and luxury goods” over
£500 million turnover in 2021 provides a list of 93 companies, including some of the largest
UK based retailers such as H&M, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Hilfiger, and many leading
supermarkets:
5
(e) From your search results list, select 10 companies to focus your analysis on (NB. you
should include a list of the companies that you have focused on and your rationale for
selecting them as an appendix to your report (not included in the word count – see
Appendix 2)).
(f) Using the links on the database, (i) connect to the Modern Slavery statements for each
of the selected companies and read and review the reports, and (ii) review the ‘statement
summary’ which provides a high-level summary of the company’s reporting that year. An
example for H&M is provided below:
6
(g) Assess the reports against the key criteria identified below and as discussed in class
(from Hsin 2019 and Voss et al 2019). You may wish to tabulate a summary of your findings
against these criteria in your report (not included in the word count):
(i) Compliance with reporting requirements: is the statement visible on the
company’s customer facing website; has it been signed off by an executive board
member?
(ii) Does the statement cover the company’s policies towards modern slavery?
(iii) Is there transparency around the company’s structure and its value chain and
reach (i.e. multiple tiers of the value chains)? If so, is this presented effectively to
allow an assessment of risk with regard to Modern Slavery?
(iv) Does the statement discuss how the company audits their activity in the value
chain? Who undertakes the audits (are these independently undertaken)? Is there
Link to H&M’s
Modern Slavery
statement here
Link to the company’s
‘statement summary’
here
7
mention of scope for worker involvement in the auditing process? Is there
discussion of auditing beyond first tier suppliers?
(v) Does the statement discuss the due diligence processes it undertakes with
respect to modern slavery? Is there discussion of due diligence beyond first tier
suppliers?
(vi) Does the statement discuss how the company undertakes a risk assessment
regarding modern slavery across its supply chains? Is there discussion of
assessment of risk beyond first tier suppliers?
(vii) Do employees and contractors receive training on identifying and dealing with
modern slavery in the value chain? Is it clear who in the company receives this
training? Is training provided to others throughout the value chain?
(viii) Is there any discussion about steps to remediate the consequences of modern
slavery if it is identified in the company’s value chain? Are these likely to be
effective?
(h) Use your analysis to produce a report which summarises your findings for the sample
of companies you have chosen. The structure for the report is provided in Appendix 2 with
details of the mark scheme and how your report will be assessed. You may choose to
present findings in tables or other graphical forms, but please also provide a summary
textual analysis of key points.
(i) Include a final section which reflects critically on your findings, especially with regard
to your assessment of the effectiveness of the UK’s approach to modern slavery reporting
requirements and what businesses might do to improve social sustainability. In this
reflection, please draw upon the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of the approach
discussed in the literature (see refence list below and in class materials).
(j) A detailed mark scheme for the coursework report is provided in Appendix 2.
4. Submission details
Submission deadline: 10th April 2025, 16.00
Word length: 1,200 words
Submission process: you should submit your report in Word or as a pdf on Canvas Turnitin
on the module Canvas site.
5. Assessment criteria
See table at Appendix 1 and for the detailed mark scheme see Appendix 2.
8
6. References
Bloomfield, M. and LeBaron, G. (2018) “The UK Modern Slavery Act: transparency through
disclosure”. E-International Relations. Available at: https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-
uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/
Hsin, L. (2019) “Five ways to work out if a company is serious about tackling modern
slavery”. The Conversation, 23rd October.
LeBaron, G. (2020) Combatting Modern Slavery: Why Labour Governance is Failing and What
We Can Do About It. Cambridge: Polity Press, pages 82-87 and 166-171
Voss, H. et al (2019) “International supply chains: compliance and engagement with the
Modern Slavery Act”. Journal of the British Academy 7(s1): 61-76.
[https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/](https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/)
[https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/](https://www.e-ir.info/2018/09/21/the-uk-modern-slavery-act-transparency-through-disclosure-in-global-governance/)
9
Appendix 1. Assessment criteria
Poor
Below
35%
Insufficient
35-39%
Satisfactory
40-49%
Good
50-59%
Very Good
60-69%
Excellent
70-85%
Outstanding
Above 85%
Knowledge &
understanding
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Knowledge & understanding: Understanding of principles, concepts, theories and terminology related to modern slavery reporting and
transparency in global value chains
Application You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Application: Appropriate use of relevant theories, concepts and techniques applicable to modern slavery reporting and transparency in global
value chains
Critical thinking You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Critical thinking: Identification of principles and concepts underlying the frameworks used to assess modern slavery reporting and
transparency in global value chains, and ability to assess strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and competing perspectives
Reading &
research
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Reading & research: Correct referencing and use of reliable sources of information; evidence of own research as set out in the above rubric for
the coursework report requirements
Presentation &
style
You showed
very little
You did not
show quite
enough
You showed
sufficient to
pass
You showed a
good level
You showed a
very good level
You showed an
excellent level
You showed an
outstanding
level
Presentation & style: Accurate and effective communication with structured presentation and coherent arguments; ability to communicate
viable solutions
10
Appendix 2. Mark scheme
Sections in your report No. of
words* Notes Marks
available
What your
markers are
hoping you’ll
show (see
descriptors in
Appendix 1)
1 Executive summary
– • Provide a short executive summary of
the report and its key findings
– –
2 Introduction
150
• Introduce the sectoral focus of the
report and explain why
• Provide a brief summary of the
methodology you have used
10 Knowledge &
understanding
3 Analysis of Modern Slavery reports
550
• Provide a summary analysis of the
reports you have sampled against the
key criteria (see point (f) above)
40
Knowledge &
understanding
Application
4 Reflections on findings
450
• Provide an assessment of the
effectiveness of Modern Slavery
reporting based on strengths and
weaknesses discussed in the literature
• Brief recommendations on how you
would improve Modern Slavery
reporting and business social
sustainability
40
Application
Critical thinking
5 Referencing/bibliography/presentation
–
• Reference in the Harvard style
• Present as a report (using headings and
sub-headings)
• Include a bibliography
10 Presentation &
style
11
• Ensure your work is clear and not
repetitive
• Appropriate use of tables and other
ways of summarising information
• Proofread and spell check
6 Appendix
–
• List of the companies that you have
focused on and rationale for their
selection
– –
*this is only a recommendation (and it leaves 50 words ‘spare’). Tables and diagrams, bibliography and appendix are not included in the
word count.
**N1658-Courseworkreport.docx**
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