The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of how the Swedish fast fashion company NA-KD expressed its profile and how it could be linked to sustainability. The fashion industry is known for having big sustainability problems, and that is why the main focus of this study was the paradox between fast fashion and sustainability due to its conflict nature. To concretise the aim of the study, we formulated two questions: “What discourses can be found in NA-KD’s external communication?” and “What profile does the company express through their website?”. To analyse the company’s website we included relevant theories about the individualised consumer society, sustainable consumption and marketing communication. The used method for this study was Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis, which was a useful method to enable a critical perspective. Fairclough’s approach made it possible to examine how, and in what way, NA-KD expressed their external communication. The material consisted of ten texts found on the company’s website that were analysed closely and resulted in a number of findings. We found three discourses: the business discourse, the consumer discourse and the sustainability discourse. Those helped us to increase the understanding of the company’s profile, since we discovered a range of different tendencies. The main ones were that NA-KD constructed truth, encouraged more consumption, built relations with the consumer and expressed values and responsibility about sustainability. With those in mind, we concluded that it is doubtful that NA-KD’s sustainability communication is completely honest. They encouraged the consumer to buy more fast fashion clothing, which affects the environment negatively, at the same time as they communicated consciousness about the fashion industry’s impact on the environment. We also found that the communication was contradictory and misleading, hence that some information about their sustainability work does not comply with what is presented. Our main conclusion is therefore that NA-KD’s profile is ambiguous and difficult to establish.

The fast-fashion industry’s effect on the environment becomes more of a critical subject as the industry grows and dominates the apparel industry. Fast-fashion is based on frequently pushing new trends to consumers in order to increase sold volumes. This has led to overconsumption and fashion waste where large volumes of unsold garments are burned each year. Alongside of this, the industry has begun to understand the importance of ethical conduct and sustainability to positively affect or minimally harm humans and reduce their overall impact on the environment. Generation Z are said to be a finely tuned ecologically conscious generation, whilst being frequent shoppers of fast-fashion. This has led to the purpose of this study, to see how Swedish Generation Z’s increased ecological conscience affects their fashion consumption. This will be found by examining how shifts in thinking affects their attitudes towards fast-fashion retailers and their willingness to purchase sustainable and ethical fast-fashion. This, with the intent of addressing the behavioral-attitude gap that exists amongst sustainable fast-fashion, where consumers want sustainable fashion but do not purchase it. To answer this, the empirical foundation was obtained through 20 semi-structured video-interviews via telephones to give an understanding of Generation Z’s attitudes and behaviors surrounding sustainability and ethics in fast-fashion. Conclusions drawn were that there was an awareness of sustainability concerning fast-fashion, but that it was not something that changed their behaviors so much as their attitudes. What was found was a strong attitude about ethics in fast-fashion as the majority of participants felt that they were in the dark about what happens in the supply chain, and that they could do nothing about it. If companies would clearly define why something is more ethical, it was found that the majority would be willing to change their behaviors, and purchase ethical fast-fashion. Sustainability that was something they were aware of, was lacking in fast-fashion but something they compromised for price, whilst price was not such a sensitive subject regarding ethical fashion.

Some fashion companies have started to use recycled fibers to improve their sustainability practices, as it is a way to implement circularity into their business. By combining the theoretical frameworks of stakeholder theory, socio-technical (ST) systems and sustainable business models (SBM), this study discusses how the current business models of fashion companies relate to the concept of circular economy and what fashion companies’ future perspectives are. Based on a case study approach, empirical data was collected on six Nordic fashion companies: Acne Studios, Filippa K, Ganni, House of Dagmar, Gina Tricot and Pure Waste. Both fastfashion and high-fashion companies are reviewed, as their approach to business and sustainability differ. Drivers, challenges, partnerships, future perspectives to recycled fibers are discussed for each company and put in relation with the concept of circular economy. Additional circular initiatives from the companies are considered. The key findings indicate that fashion companies are motivated to use recycled fibers because of their sense of responsibility and wish to continue doing their business. Their future goals, collaborations and additional circular initiatives depicts a forward-looking attitude hopeful about the potential of sustainability. This study contributes to the understanding of implementation of circularity elements from a corporate perspective in the fashion sector, and what is needed to further implement and develop the use recycled fibers.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how consumers experience green marketing within the fast fashion industry. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a foundation for a conceptual framework. A qualitative approach was used, and the empirical data was gathered through three semi-structured focus groups with a total of 17 participants. Participants were acquired through a convenience sampling method, influenced by purposive sampling. Firstly, we concluded that some consumers believe that green marketing within the fast fashion industry is a positive trend that contributes to a more sustainable industry, while some believe it is false, a facade and a sales ploy. Secondly, we found that important reference groups who influence consumers’ experience of green marketing within the fast fashion industry are social norms, trend, social media and influencers. Lastly, consumers sometimes choose to believe in green marketing campaigns since it is too time consuming to check the validity and it eliminates the search for further information. Due to the daily exposure of these campaigns, some consumers associate these with sustainable collections. However, some are more critical toward the use of green marketing within the fast fashion industry and believe that it contradicts sustainability. Previous scandals within the industry are also affecting consumers’ experience of fast fashion in relation to sustainability. The findings have contributed to understanding of how consumers experience green marketing within the fast fashion industry. Also, it provides useful insights that fast fashion companies can use to conduct a more trustworthy and genuine green marketing.

Advertising is constantly surrounding us in different shapes, meaning that companies need to stand out in order to invoke people's attention. Advertising reflects the society's current norms which means that the media and society's values affect each other (Fagerström & Nilsson, 2008). Women have for a long time been objectified and presented in stereotypical roles since sexism is a common component in advertising (Grau & Zotos, 2016). An industry that is frequently being accused of promoting an asymmetrical image of women's bodies is the fast fashion industry (Fay & Price, 1994). It is crucial in both a societal- and business perspective to take responsibility when it comes to sexism in advertising. This study aims to examine female consumers attitudes towards quality attributes in advertising within the female fast fashion industry. Given the research purpose of this thesis, the research questions are: 1) How can the quality attributes in the female fast fashion industry be used to satisfy women as customers? 2) How does quality attributes contribute to customer (dis-)satisfaction in the female fast fashion industry? A preliminary study was organized to state consumers’ different attributes of sexism to use in the questionnaire. Followed by this was the main study with Kano pair questions that included 201 respondents. The pair questions were formulated by the attributes identified in the preliminary study. This study shows how all the presented attributes (“Size zero”, “White people”, “CIS-person”, “Functional variation”, “Unrealistic ideals”, “High level of nudity”, “Erotic way”, “Sexual desire”, “Body focus”, “Behind or breasts” and “Lips or mouth”) were classified as “Reversed” which is an indication of dissatisfaction and an urge for the attribute to be the opposite. This thesis demonstrates the relationship between the quality attributes and theories regarding objectification and portrayal of women. The customers’ attitudes towards the quality attributes correlate with the consequences as results of advertising in a sexist way. Businesses within the female fast fashion industry can prioritise the customer requirements for their advertisements in all assistance measurement and estimation of customer satisfaction in order to rise above the current way of advertising and become more customer oriented and to take responsibility and participation in the development of a gender equal society.

As the world moves towards a more sustainable future and consumers begin to research more sustainable ways to consume, many turn to second hand for purchasing apparel due to its supposed minimal effect on the environment. The second hand market is rapidly growing but research surrounding the implications of its growth is scarce. This study aims to research consumer habits in the second hand fashion market in Sweden. More specifically, if the Swedish second hand consumption reflects the fast fashion way of consuming, meaning purchasing vast amounts of apparel for minimal use. The study utilizes a mixed method of collecting data, both a qualitative and a quantitative method. A survey and interviews were conducted, mapping the consumption habits of second hand apparel of Swedish people in their early twenties. The results show that second hand consumption has some similarities to the fast fashion way of consuming but there are still several differences. There were signs that the second hand market is moving towards excessive consumption practices which the fast fashion industry has been criticized for in the past. The key similarities between second hand fashion consumption and fast fashion consumption observed in the participants were impulse buying, minimal usage of products, seeking trendy items and gaining hedonic pleasure.

Fast fashion brands provide consumers with constantly available opportunities to update,not only their wardrobes, but themselves. As our identities have become a constant projectto work on, consumption of fast fashion involves the possibilities of trial and error ofpersonal development. Consumers are predisposed to shape or change their personalities byusing brands as additional traits. This is conceptualized as Brand Engagement in SelfConcept (BESC) to explain how consumers build and express identities. Even if FastFashion is recognized to make trends available for a democratized audience who continuallyevolve temporary identities, it is a limited researched area where Brand Engagement in SelfConcept (BESC) is addressed. As this tendency to involve brands in consumers' self-concept(BESC) is defined as an individual trait to be measured, there is still no qualitative researchto our knowledge that provides deeper insights of how this subjective objective is displayedor affecting the pre-purchase stage within the context of fast fashion.The purpose of this degree project is to develop a deeper understanding of consumers'tendency to incorporate brands as a part of their self-concept and how brand engagement inself-concept (BESC) influences the pre-purchase stage in the decision-making process inthe context of fast fashion. In order to fulfil this purpose, a qualitative study wasimplemented by applying semi-structured interviews with six individuals with the propertyof being consumers of generation Z. Pursuant to previous research that states how thesegeneral tendencies of BESC varies amongst individuals, we were able to identify diversegeneral tendencies in the empirical findings of involving brands in self-concept.These various indications of involvements were represented by the identified themesreflecting how the consumers are applying the silent, but expressive languages of clothing,regarding their representation of themselves through what they wear, awareness of trendsand the extent of purchasing.With regard to these identified indications of involving brands in self-concept to differentextent, our empirical findings resulted in themes, addressing how the pre-purchase stagewas influenced in the context of fast fashion. Our results show how the pre-purchase stageis initiated by recognizing a need or opportunity congruent with the self-concept.Additionally, as information is searched, this stage is influenced by the involvement ofbrands in the self-concept by the identified themes: inspiration, coincidence and familiarity.As the evaluation of alternatives is made, the themes of “considerations to social context”and “the fit” are identified as being influenced by BESC. The consumers' self-concept hasbeen found to be defining the extent of influence, in terms of composing the reference tocompare fast fashion brand personalities with. Consequently, we draw the conclusion thatthe negative associations of fast fashion limited the involvement of fast fashion brands inthe self-concept as these personalities were considered unappealing by representing cheap,quick compliance, low quality and unethical values. Our results demonstrate how the needfor social consistency and approval motivates young consumers to involve fast fashionbrands in their self-concept. This is contradicting displayed in terms of buying the basicassortments with the absence of fast-moving trends.

Research shows that strong CSR practices have a positive impact on organizational commitment which is crucial when employees are faced with negative events in the organization. Therefore, it is crucial for organizations to adopt CSR practices to retain engaged employees as they are less likely to engage in behaviors disadvantageous to the organization when negative events occur. However, some organizations face difficulties balancing efficiency with sustainable practices and respond to the pressures of CSR by adhering to or actively resisting it. The aim of this study is to explore what employee withdrawal behaviors can be associated with organizations’ strategic responses to CSR. We operationalize this aim by conducting ten semi-structured interviews studying what behaviors employees adopt in reaction to events in the Swedish fast fashion industry. An analytical framework has been created and applied to the findings based on previous research on employee withdrawal behavior and organizations’ strategic responses to institutional pressures. The findings indicate that there is a higher likelihood amongst committed employees to potentially engage in withdrawal behaviors the more organizations actively resisted CSR as a practice. A new dimension of withdrawal behavior is added to complement previous research to ultimately provide inspiration for future research.

The purpose of this study is to get an idea of what impact different elements and information has on a product page in order for the user to be inclined to purchase the product. Furthermore this research will look into the possible differences and/or similarities between genders. The data that was used in this study was obtained through a descriptive research design, specifically a survey involving structured direct observations and semi-structured interviews. This research found that the elements that were deemed the most essential in order for participants to purchase a product were the different pictures of the product and different colour alternatives. Many behavioural similarities between genders were found along with some differences. Differences such as the time it takes to decide whether or not to make a purchase was discovered. This study offers valid insights in the interactions between users and product pages with the additional focus on the differences between genders. Some limitations for this study was the fact that the sample group was relatively small, the testing was only conducted on one website, and all of the participants identified as either men and women, hence not including binary, pangender, transgender etc.

With the growing role of social media in society today, a more accessible dissemination of information between customers through eWOM is also growing. Especially the negative eWOM can have a huge impact on customers and get devastating results. Scandals in the fast fashion industry are getting more and more attention, which has contributed to consumers boycotting companies. It is still a relatively unexplored area where researchers mainly have been looking at boycott motivations. These purposes can be both social and ethical and customers can take different measures to show that he or she is against the scandal. It is common today that a scandal gets a lot of attention during a limited period of time where the customer chooses to participate in a boycott for a while and then returns to the company. Based on this research gap, the research question was further formulated as to;   Why do customers choose to return to companies within the fast fashion industry they have previously boycotted due to a scandal?   The study focuses on customers who have been loyal to fast fashion companies and where they have been active in a boycott and then returned. The main purpose of this thesis is to gain a deeper understanding of why boycotting consumers choose to go back to fast fashion retail companies that they have boycotted previously. Based on this, the interviews explored factors in relation to customer loyalty and eWOM that affect customers' view and perception of the company. By conducting this study and examining factors by using a qualitative approach, customer loyalty and eWOM's impact on customers' propensity to repurchase were examined, considering the theoretical framework.    The theoretical framework included customer loyalty, boycott and motivations for boycott as well as social media and more specifically eWOM. Based on the framework, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with people who participated in a boycott and then returned to companies. Furthermore, the empirical data was analysed by using the theoretical framework based on a thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in findings that customers are affected by negative eWOM and a high exposure of information which then decreases, which leads to customers forgetting the scandal and no longer associating the company with a negative feeling.