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Strategies for Sustainable Cotton: Comparing Niche with Mainstream Markets

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  • Lydia Illge
  • Lutz Preuss

Abstract

This case study examines the strategies by two very different types of textile companies for supplying garments in a more sustainable way: Sweden‐based H&M, a large international firm, and hessnatur of Germany, a small niche player. In particular, the case discusses the strategies the two companies have adopted with regard to managing supplier relations and monitoring adherence to social and environmental standards. The case also discusses the respective implications the two companies' strategies have on society. It aims to stimulate critical thinking regarding the multiple ways in which corporate strategies affect the sustainability footprint of both the company and the wider society in which the company is embedded. The case study should thus be of interest to students of strategic management, but also be useful to those interested in sustainable development or supply chain management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lydia Illge & Lutz Preuss, 2012. "Strategies for Sustainable Cotton: Comparing Niche with Mainstream Markets," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(2), pages 102-113, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:19:y:2012:i:2:p:102-113
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.291
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Stefanella Stranieri & Luigi Orsi & Alessandro Banterle & Elena Claire Ricci, 2019. "Sustainable development and supply chain coordination: The impact of corporate social responsibility rules in the European Union food industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(2), pages 481-491, March.
    2. Walter J.V. Vermeulen, 2015. "Self‐Governance for Sustainable Global Supply Chains: Can it Deliver the Impacts Needed?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 73-85, February.
    3. Naila Fares & Jaime Lloret & Vikas Kumar & Sander de Leeuw & Liz Barnes, 2024. "Optimisation of multi‐tier supply chain distribution networks with corporate social responsibility concerns in fast‐fashion retail," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 311-330, January.
    4. Rainer Lueg & Maria Medelby Pedersen & Søren Nørregaard Clemmensen, 2015. "The Role of Corporate Sustainability in a Low‐Cost Business Model – A Case Study in the Scandinavian Fashion Industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(5), pages 344-359, July.
    5. Phani Kumar Chintakayala & William Young & Ralf Barkemeyer & Michelle A. Morris, 2018. "Breaking niche sustainable products into the mainstream: Organic milk and free‐range eggs," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(7), pages 1039-1051, November.
    6. Armando Borda & Oswaldo Morales & Hildy Teegen & Gareth H. Rees & Maria Alejandra Gonzalez-Perez, 2021. "Addressing Sustainable Rural Development with Shared Value: A Peruvian Model from the Cacao Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-17, July.

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