Innovations in production and retail methods have propelled the fashion industry's explosive growth, with complex global supply chains that pose serious environmental and social issues. Despite increased awareness and multiple attempts toward sustainability, the industry is still trapped in an unsustainable paradigm. Therefore, this dissertation aims to examine the barriers of transition toward a sustainable fashion model. Given the highly globalized nature of the fashion supply chain, and manufacturing spread across different nations, it is essential to examine the barriers to sustainability from the perspective of actors within the supply chain. Examining these issues through the perspectives of manufacturers and other key stakeholders offers valuable insight into the intricate dynamics at work and helps in locating regional barriers that could prevent a smooth transition. Hence, this study focuses on conducting interviews with manufacturers and industry experts in Indian fashion supply chain to get the perspective of a manufacturing country.
The findings reveal a disconnect between sustainability standards and their local implementation, often exacerbated by the lack of brand accountability and disregard for local realities. The research highlights how certifications, largely shaped by Western ideals, fail to account for the socio-economic and infrastructural constraints of manufacturing regions like India. This study argues for a pivot away from a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability, advocating for strategies tailored to local contexts that better align with the needs and challenges faced by actors in developing economies. / Doctor of Philosophy / Innovation in production and sales methods has propelled the fashion industry's notable expansion in recent decades. But along with major social repercussions like low salaries, excessive working hours, and workplace exploitation, this expansion has serious environmental impacts like carbon emissions, water pollution, and wastewater management problems. Considering the growing number of strategies to promote sustainability, the industry is still confronting significant challenges in attaining true sustainability. Thus, this study aims to investigate the challenges of implementing sustainable practices, particularly from the viewpoints of Indian manufacturers and experts. India is a key hub in the garment manufacturing, which is why it was selected as the study location.
The analysis reveals a significant discrepancy between the sustainability standards and their actual implementation. A key finding is that organizations based in the West mostly set guidelines for sustainable production, frequently ignoring the particular social, economic, political, and infrastructure difficulties that developing countries like India confront. The study argues that it is imperative that sustainability certifications and standards in this industry be reevaluated. This study advocates for tailored sustainability strategies that consider regional circumstances and difficulties rather than enforcing identical sustainability standards globally. Customizing sustainability initiatives to fit local contexts can lead to more effective and equitable solutions that are both practical and attainable.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/121518 |
| Date | 31 October 2024 |
| Creators | Kiran, Pratyusha Pranob |
| Contributors | Science and Technology Studies, Breslau, Daniel, Prieto-Nanez, Fabian, Allen, Barbara L., Shin, Eonyou |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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