From fibre to fashion : Understanding the value of sustainability in global cotton textile and apparel value chains
Journal article
Mellick, Zoe, Payne, Alice and Buys, Laurie. (2021). From fibre to fashion : Understanding the value of sustainability in global cotton textile and apparel value chains. Sustainability. 13(22), p. Article 12681. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212681
Authors | Mellick, Zoe, Payne, Alice and Buys, Laurie |
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Abstract | Current sustainability frameworks and tools to assess and track social and environmental impacts of textile and apparel (such as life cycle analysis) along the chain, although important, provide a narrow focus on metrics (such as a reduction in inputs) or on economic value. This paper proposes a tailored method which combines value chain thinking with qualitative value mapping techniques to identify what sustainable value means and to whom, who benefits both in and beyond the chain (such as wider society, the environment, local communities), as well as opportunities to create sustainable value in the future. Results from interviews with stakeholders of a single connected cotton value chain demonstrate that this approach can identify sustainable value propositions specific to different actors in the chain, temperature-test whether stakeholders are willing to pay a premium price for sustainability efforts, and identify novel sustainable value opportunities that disrupt the chain. In addition to extending knowledge around sustainability in the textile and apparel industry, our contribution also lies in the development of a tailored tool which can be adapted and used for other value chains. |
Keywords | sustainable value; sustainability; sustainable fashion; textile and apparel industry; value chain; cotton |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Sustainability |
Journal citation | 13 (22), p. Article 12681 |
Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI AG) |
ISSN | 2071-1050 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212681 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85119252809 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 1-21 |
Funder | Research Training Program Scholarship (RTP), Australian Government |
Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) | |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 16 Nov 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 12 Nov 2021 |
Deposited | 05 Oct 2023 |
Grant ID | Project Code QUT1901 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8zv1z/from-fibre-to-fashion-understanding-the-value-of-sustainability-in-global-cotton-textile-and-apparel-value-chains
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Publisher's version
OA_Mellick_2021_From_fibre_to_fashion_Understanding_the.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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