Modern slavery in global supply chain management: literature synthesis, theoretical framework and future research opportunities

Purpose This study aims to systematically map and synthesize the evolution of modern slavery research. It focuses on identifying dominant theories, high-risk sectors, policy responses and emerging technological interventions within global supply chains (GSCs). By integrating bibliometric analysis with the TCCM framework, the research seeks to clarify how scholarly discourse has responded to persistent enforcement gaps, corporate greenwashing and the structural conditions that sustain modern slavery in private-sector value chains. Design/methodology/approach The study conducts a systematic literature review of 539 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2010 and 2025. Bibliometric techniques are employed to identify publication trends, influential authors and thematic clusters. The TCCM (Theory, Context, Characteristics, Methodology) framework is then applied to qualitatively analyze theoretical foundations, sectoral contexts, methodological approaches and policy orientations, enabling a comprehensive and structured synthesis of the modern slavery research landscape. Findings The findings reveal agriculture, textiles and mining as the most vulnerable sectors due to informal labor practices and weak governance. Institutional and Stakeholder Theories dominate the literature, while Global Value Chain and Critical Theory expose deeper systemic exploitation. Policy responses rely heavily on non-binding CSR mechanisms with limited enforcement. Blockchain and AI show potential for supply-chain transparency but remain unevenly adopted. COVID-19 has significantly heightened risks for migrant and gig-economy workers. Research limitations/implications The review is limited by reliance on published academic literature and self-reported corporate disclosures, which may understate the true scale of exploitation. Western-centric policy perspectives dominate the dataset, constraining global generalizability. Future research should prioritize comparative policy studies across jurisdictions, intersectional analyses of worker vulnerability and empirical validation of digital traceability tools. These directions are essential to strengthen theory development and inform more effective regulatory interventions. Practical implications The study underscores the need for mandatory human-rights due diligence legislation with robust enforcement mechanisms. Firms should move beyond symbolic compliance toward verifiable transparency across supply chains. Cross-sector collaboration among governments, corporations, NGOs and technology providers is critical. Scalable deployment of blockchain and AI systems can enhance traceability, but only when paired with governance reforms, worker protections and independent auditing mechanisms. Social implications Addressing modern slavery in GSCs has significant implications for protecting vulnerable populations, particularly migrant, informal and gig workers. Stronger regulation and transparency can reduce exploitation, improve labor conditions and promote social justice. The study highlights the social costs of weak enforcement and corporate greenwashing, emphasizing the moral and societal urgency of dismantling exploitative structures embedded in global production networks. Originality/value This study offers one of the most comprehensive reviews of modern slavery research to date by combining bibliometric analysis with the TCCM framework. It advances literature by integrating theoretical, sectoral, technological and policy perspectives over a 15-year period. The research provides a structured agenda for scholars and policymakers while critically challenging voluntary CSR approaches, contributing original insights into systemic exploitation within GSCs.