In recent decades, the fast fashion industry has been characterized by widespread operations across both developed and developed countries. Due to the economic, social and environmental problems in developing countries, companies focused on sustainability and try to ensure the same quality and standards in working and production conditions throughout their supply chains. Although the tension in the exchange of resources between developing and developed countries lies at the heart of current sustainability activities, what these companies are actually doing to manage their supply chain has not yet been explored in depth in the literature. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Seuring and Müller (2008), the current study attempts to fill this void by conceptually mapping the current situation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the fast fashion industry by analysing reports from 9 companies that use the same reporting guidelines. The results of the study reveal that these companies focus significantly on supplier compliance with their code of conduct, employing further monitoring and auditing activities to prevent production problems in developing countries, improving overall supply chain performance and setting sustainability criteria for their suppliers.
Recherchetool für Materialien
Research Tool for Materials
The materials database contains media on our key topics of working conditions in the textile and clothing industry and the environmental impact of clothing. The types of media include studies, guidelines and reports, as well as films, podcasts and web tools.
Low wages, involuntary overtime, lack of protection against health and safety risks – these grievances are widespread in the footwear value chain.
This study examines the working conditions in Chinese suppliers that produce for European brand companies.
Based on a survey of workers in three shoe factories in Guangdong Province, China, conducted by SOUTHWIND partner Globalization Monitor at the end of 2015, an alarming picture of shoe production in China emerges, where state violence is often used to suppress strikes for better working conditions.
Editorial team: Bullerdiek, Lena; Ferenschild, Sabine; Grigentin-Krämer, Sandra; Schumacher, Vera
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate consisting consumption patterns caused by fast fashion with a new appearing form of consumption and retaining potentials as an alternative as well as sustainable form of fast fashion consumption. This research is set up on a theoretical background of scientific literature including governmental as well as press releases in order to evaluate the status quo of consumption and answering the research question. A new consumption pattern as well as an appearing economy of sharing can be stated including potential aspects of raising businesses and sustainable alternative forms of fast fashion. The framework of the research is limited to the textile and fashion industry in industrialized countries focusing on consumption in the twenty first century.
Ethical issues with offshore manufacturing plants in the readymade garment industry is a regular affair, especially for factories located in lesser developed nations. Despite efforts by non-government agencies around the globe pressurizing both governments and multinational corporations to adopt ethical practices, disastrous accidents and loss of lives continue to haunt the industry. This paper reviews existing literature to develop an understanding of consumers as pressure groups, and proposes a factor model that may influence consumers’ willingness to pay for ethical garments which will be tested in future studies.
This report—including interviews with more than 250 workers employed in 60 factories that supply to Walmart— documents the experiences of women garment workers at the base of Walmart garment supply chains in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Concentrated in short term, low-skill, and low-wage positions, they are at daily risk of gender-based violence and harassment at work. This report provides an empirical account of the spectrum of gender-based violence and risk factors for violence women workers face in Walmart garment supply chains. Chapter 4 of this report presents new research on gender-based violence in Walmart garment supplier factories in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia collected through interviews and focus group discussions with 25 workers and trade union leaders organizing in Walmart supply chains between February and May 2018. Systematically documenting risk factors for violence, this report presents new, in-depth profiles of 4 Walmart supplier factories in Bangladesh and Cambodia completed between February and May 2018. It also draws upon Asia Floor Wage Alliance (2016) documentation of rights violations at work in Walmart garment global supply chains, compiled over four years of research (2012-2016) on Walmart supply chains in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia.