REPORTS ON THE ETI IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2006
The ETI code of labour practice: Do workers really benefit?

About this report

This report (Part 4) provides a detailed account of the research approach and methodology used for the ETI Impact Assessment.

It provides:

• An overview of the aims and objectives of the study
• An explanation of the analytical approach used (including an explanation of the “Value Chain to Impact Mapping” framework used to guide the study)
• A description of how the impact assessment was carried out, including the composition of the research team, how the case studies were selected, and the key research questions used to guide the case studies
• A record of the main fieldwork activities – how supply sites and workers were selected for participation in the research, who else was interviewed, and the key interview/research tools used
• A description of how the fieldwork findings were collated and analysed; and
• Some reflections on the research methodology – its strengths and limitations.

It is hoped that this report will be an important tool for others who intend to carry out a similar study or impact assessment in the future.

 

 

Detailed contents (draft)

• Contents
• Foreword

• 1 Background
  • 1.1 About this document
  • 1.2 Aims and objectives of the study
  • 1.3 Impact Assessment process
  • 1.4 Timetable
• 2 The approach to the Impact Assessment
  • 2.1 ETI Base Code
  • 2.2 Definitions of impact assessment
  • 2.3 Value Chain to Impact Mapping
  • 2.4 Management approaches to ETI Base Code - Levels 1 and 2
  • 2.5 Mapping mediation of the Base Code by suppliers - Level 3
  • 2.6 Assessing impacts on labour practices and working conditions - Level 4
  • 2.7 Assessing poverty impacts - Level 5
  • 2.8 Confidentiality of information
• 3 How the Impact Assessment was carried out
  • 3.1 Phase 1 - ETI company members' activities
  • 3.2 Case study selection for Phase 2
  • 3.3 Research team
  • 3.4 Outputs from country and company case studies
  • 3.5 Key research questions
• 4 Fieldwork activities
  • 4.1 Key steps: an overview
  • 4.2 Pre-fieldwork workshop and training
  • 4.3 Key informant interviews
  • 4.4 Mapping and selecting comparative value chains
  • 4.5 Selecting suppliers
  • 4.6 Supplier selection, agreement to participate and confidentiality
  • 4.7 Selecting workers
  • 4.8 Research tools and methods
  • 4.9 Coding suppliers and workers
• 5 Post-fieldwork activities
  • 5.1 Data analysis
  • 5.2 Country workshops
  • 5.3 Final case study reports
• 6 Some reflections on the methodology
  • 6.1 Advantages and disadvantages of the methodology
  • 6.2 Attribution
  • 6.3 Learning approach

• Appendix 1: Hypothetical example of a sustainable learning approach to impact assessment

 

 

Downloads

Download PART 4 (Methodology) in PDF format [PDF, 680kb]

Clickable list of all reports in this series.

 

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This series of reports has been prepared by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the views expressed do not necesarily represent the views of ETI or of its member organisations. IDS is responsible for the accuracy of information contained in the document and its recommendations have not necessarily been endorsed by ETI.

© Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 2006

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See also:

A preliminary response by the Ethical Trading Initiative to IDS’ study (19 October 2006)

ETI Activities: Research projects: Impact assessment.

ETI Events: Conferences: Biennial conference 2005: Workshop - Assessing our impact

ETI Resources: Other resources: Impact assessment