COVID-19 debunks the myth of socially sustainable supply chain: A case of the clothing industry in South Asian countries.

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has exposed the fragility of the clothing supply chain operating in South Asian countries. Millions of workers have become jobless and are staring at an uncertain future. The purpose of this research is to understand the reasons behind the lack of social sustainability in the clothing supply chain operating in South Asian countries and to suggest ways for an appropriate redressal. Interviews with experts have revealed that the dominant power of some brands in the clothing supply chain is the primary reason. Unauthorised subcontracting of clothing manufacturing and the use of contract labour are also responsible for violations in the 'code of conducts' of social compliance. Post COVID-19, a sustainable sourcing model that incorporates disruption risk sharing contracts between the brands and suppliers should be adopted. Unauthorised subcontracting of clothing manufacturing by the suppliers must be prohibited. Supplier selection and the order allocation policies of the brands should also be tuned to facilitate social security of workers. The participation of NGOs and labour unions should be encouraged so that community development initiatives reach the grassroots level.

Rituximab in Myasthenia Gravis- Experience from a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) Setting.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated disorder of the neuromuscular junction. About 10% are refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Aims: To analyze the response of patients with generalized MG to rituximab. Methods and Materials: A retrospective review of patients with MG who received rituximab was carried out (n = 13, M:F = 6:7, mean age: 44.84 ± 15.73 years). Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), MGFA post-intervention status (MGFA-PIS), and Myasthenia Gravis Status and Treatment Intensity (MGSTI) were assessed before and after rituximab. Results: The duration of MG was 104.07 ± 92.25 months. Before rituximab, the MGFA was IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB/IVB/V in 1/1/2/6/2/1 patients and MGSTI was four in eight patients and six in three patients. The mean duration of follow up was 20.92 ± 14.06 months (range, 4 to 42 months). Dose reduction or discontinuation of cholinesterase inhibitors could be achieved 12 patients. Complete stable remission (CSR) and pharmacologic remission (PR) were achieved in one and four patients respectively and five patients had minimal manifestations. Most patients attained level 0, 1 or 2 MGSTI at last follow up. No rituximab infusion-related adverse events were noted. Three patients had exacerbation of MG between one to five weeks after rituximab administration. Three patients died, one each due to a cardiac event unrelated to MG or treatment, complications related to myasthenic crisis, and coronavirus disease. Conclusions: Rituximab was effective in bringing about remission in MG and can be considered as a first-line agent. However, it has to be administered under close supervision as some patients develop exacerbation of MG akin to steroid-induced worsening.

Prioritising risk mitigation strategies for environmentally sustainable clothing supply chains: Insights from selected organisational theories.

Recent outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has provided strong impetus to supply chain resilience research. In a volatile and uncertain business environment, resilience can be incorporated by developing and implementing effective risk mitigation strategies. In this research, risk mitigation strategies for environmentally sustainable clothing supply chain have been prioritised by considering their efficacy to mitigate various risks. Twelve risks and thirteen mitigation strategies, identified through literature review and experts' opinion, are considered as decision criteria and alternatives respectively. Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (fuzzy TOPSIS) is implemented under a group decision making scenario for prioritising the strategies. Developing supply chain agility; multiple green sourcing and flexible capacities; adoption of green practices; building trust, coordination and collaboration; and alignment of economic incentives and revenue sharing are found to be dominant risk mitigation strategies for environmentally sustainable clothing supply chain. These strategies have been viewed through the lens of resource dependence, change management and transaction cost theories. Organisation desirous to build resilience in their supply chain can prioritise the risk mitigation strategies and adopt a portfolio of strategies based on the outcome of this research.

COVID-19 Debunks the Myth of Socially Sustainable Supply Chain: A Case of the Clothing Industry in South Asian Countries

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has exposed the fragility of the clothing supply chain operating in South Asian countries. Millions of workers have become jobless and are staring at an uncertain future. The purpose of this research is to understand the reasons behind the lack of social sustainability in the clothing supply chain operating in South Asian countries and to suggest ways for an appropriate redressal. Interviews with experts have revealed that the dominant power of some brands in the clothing supply chain is the primary reason. Unauthorised subcontracting of clothing manufacturing and the use of contract labour are also responsible for violations in the ‘code of conducts’ of social compliance. Post COVID-19, a sustainable sourcing model that incorporates disruption risk sharing contacts between the brands and suppliers should be adopted. Unauthorised subcontracting of clothing manufacturing by the suppliers must be prohibited. Supplier selection and the order allocation policies of the brands should also be tuned to facilitate social security of workers. The participation of NGOs and labour unions should be encouraged so that community development initiatives reach the grassroots level.