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Manager Communication Style, Worker Stress and Productivity in Bangladeshi Garment Factories

Last registered on June 16, 2019

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Manager Communication Style, Worker Stress and Productivity in Bangladeshi Garment Factories
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0001140
Initial registration date
May 31, 2016

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
May 31, 2016, 1:07 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
June 16, 2019, 8:50 AM EDT

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

Region

Primary Investigator

Affiliation
Queen's University

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Affiliation
University of Dhaka
PI Affiliation
University of Warwick
PI Affiliation
University of Dhaka

Additional Trial Information

Status
Completed
Start date
2016-04-01
End date
2019-06-15
Secondary IDs
Abstract
We conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of on-the-job soft skills training for supervisors on line productivity, worker attendance, and psychological well-being in five garment factories in Bangladesh. Line supervisors and chiefs are randomly selected to receive either ten sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy featuring effective communication and stress management techniques; ten health information sessions (active control intervention), or no intervention (pure control group). We measure stress levels using biomarkers (hair cortisol) and self-reported data. We also measure on-the-job productivity, income, absenteeism, and hours of work.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Lopez-Pena, Paula et al. 2019. "Manager Communication Style, Worker Stress and Productivity in Bangladeshi Garment Factories." AEA RCT Registry. June 16. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.1140-6.0
Former Citation
Lopez-Pena, Paula et al. 2019. "Manager Communication Style, Worker Stress and Productivity in Bangladeshi Garment Factories." AEA RCT Registry. June 16. https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/1140/history/48193
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Each worker will receive either 10 sessions of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (1 hour per week for 10 weeks) or the same amount of a placebo intervention. CBT is one of the most extensively researched forms of psychotherapy and is currently considered the gold standard for treating anxiety disorders, stress and depression (Farrand and Woodford, 2013; Hofmann and Smits 2008, Butler at al., 2006). CBT is intended to build life skills by modifying thinking and behavioral patterns that maintain worrying and stress. It teaches individuals adequate coping strategies through standardized cognitive exercises (handouts and worksheets) and behavioral exercises (e.g. muscular relaxation, mindfulness meditation, etc.).

Intervention Start Date
2017-09-01
Intervention End Date
2018-07-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, cortisol levels, physical health, productivity, absenteeism, turnover, hours of work and income
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Workers will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (1 hour per week for 10 weeks) or the same amount of a placebo intervention.

Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Randomization done in computer
Randomization Unit
Individual workers
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
No clusters
Sample size: planned number of observations
900 individual workers
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
450 workers CBT, 450 workers placebo
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION IRB – USA
IRB Approval Date
2016-05-12
IRB Approval Number
10197
Analysis Plan

Analysis Plan Documents

PAP - Manager Communication & Stress

MD5: 72e3c240106091b313aa007d27e56ae6

SHA1: 36e7f3b3345dee42d8235de0efd16db743b8cb08

Uploaded At: July 29, 2018

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials