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Corporate Environmental Management for the Textile Industry: Toward an Empirical Typology

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  • Albachiara Boffelli

    (Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Stefano Dotti

    (Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Paolo Gaiardelli

    (Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Giorgia Carissimi

    (Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Barbara Resta

    (Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Bergamo, Italy)

Abstract

The increasing attention of stakeholders regarding environmental issues is pushing companies to question their own environmental strategies and to consequently adopt coherent practices. The textile industry appears to be particularly affected because of its heavy impact on the environment. Despite many companies in this industry having developed integrated environmental management systems to make their environmental strategies more effective, the alignment of environmental practices with these strategies is not yet completely evident. This paper aims to fill this gap through a three-step research process. First of all, a reference model built upon an in-depth analysis of the literature provides a summary of the main strategies and practices for corporate environmental management. The model is then used to support an online survey aimed at understanding the level of adoption of environmental management practices in the textile industry. Subsequently, a cluster analysis identifies three different types of companies characterized by three strategic configurations: “committed”, “prone”, and “subjected” to environmental sustainability. Then, each type of company is characterized in terms of practices. Finally, the achieved results are used to derive some considerations (e.g., engaging with stakeholders, looking back to align practice with strategy, looking forward to become environmental leaders) that companies can consider to move forward in their environmental sustainability journey.

Suggested Citation

  • Albachiara Boffelli & Stefano Dotti & Paolo Gaiardelli & Giorgia Carissimi & Barbara Resta, 2019. "Corporate Environmental Management for the Textile Industry: Toward an Empirical Typology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-25, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:23:p:6688-:d:291094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Ipek Kazancoglu & Muhittin Sagnak & Sachin Kumar Mangla & Yigit Kazancoglu, 2021. "Circular economy and the policy: A framework for improving the corporate environmental management in supply chains," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 590-608, January.
    3. Sheikh I. Ishrat & Nigel P. Grigg & Carel N. Bezuidenhout & Nihal P. Jayamaha, 2020. "Sustainability Issues in the Traditional Cashmere Supply Chain: Empirical Evidence from Kashmir, India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-25, December.
    4. Shirlene Jane Nicole & Suddin Lada & Rudy Ansar & Azaze-Azizi Abdul Adis & Lim Ming Fook & Brahim Chekima, 2022. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, August.

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