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Sustainability Prerequisites and Practices in Textile and Apparel Supply Chains

Author

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  • Ronak Warasthe

    (School of Business, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany
    Chair of Supply Chain Management, University of Kassel, 34127 Kassel, Germany)

  • Finja Schulz

    (School of Business, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany)

  • Ralf Enneking

    (School of Business, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany)

  • Marcus Brandenburg

    (School of Business, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany
    Chair of Supply Chain Management, University of Kassel, 34127 Kassel, Germany)

Abstract

The proposed study deals with sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the textile and apparel (T&A) industry. We analyze prerequisites and practices of supply chain (SC) sustainability in a multiple case study of the German and Ethiopian T&A industry. Our analysis is based on ten semi-structured interviews conducted with the managers of seven companies in the Ethiopian T&A production and the German fair fashion retail industries. The contribution of expert knowledge helps in identifying SC sustainability prerequisites and practices. The chosen cases of production in Ethiopia and retail in Germany highlight the complexity of T&A SCs while representing both the suppliers’ and retailers’ perspectives, which is rare in the related literature. As a major research contribution, the study adapts a framework for SC sustainability in the chemical industry and transfers it to T&A SCs. Moreover, practitioners from the T&A industry find useful insights into relevant practices and their prerequisites, which helps in improving SC sustainability in this sector. The study reveals that management orientation and interest groups such as customers represent the most important prerequisites for sustainability. Manufacturers rely more on internal practices such as monitoring, while retailers focus on external sustainability practices, such as supplier development. In a comparative approach, similarities and differences between T&A SCs and the chemical industry are identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronak Warasthe & Finja Schulz & Ralf Enneking & Marcus Brandenburg, 2020. "Sustainability Prerequisites and Practices in Textile and Apparel Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:9960-:d:452876
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Andreza de Aguiar Hugo & Jeniffer de Nadae & Renato da Silva Lima, 2021. "Can Fashion Be Circular? A Literature Review on Circular Economy Barriers, Drivers, and Practices in the Fashion Industry’s Productive Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Saskia Manshoven & Wim Van Opstal, 2022. "The Carrot or the Stick? Stakeholder Support for Mandatory Regulations towards a Circular Fashion System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-31, November.
    4. Ehsan Shekarian & Behrang Ijadi & Amirreza Zare & Jukka Majava, 2022. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Industrial Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-30, June.
    5. Hye Jung Jung & Kyung Wha Oh & HaeJung Maria Kim, 2021. "Country Differences in Determinants of Behavioral Intention towards Sustainable Apparel Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.

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