Rana Plaza Collapse, Its Aftermath, and Future Implications for Sustainability

In 2013, Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza factory collapsed, killing 1,134 people and injuring over 2,500 more. This case analyzes the high-profile, disastrous event. Actions taken by various stakeholders are addressed, and ethical questions are raised related to social responsibility for workers in the garment industry. The case illustrates the complexity of global supply chains as well as accountability and ownership of sustainability improvement efforts when numerous players are involved. Because the global nature of the garment industry is not unique, there are similar implications for other industries.