Since the last decades have been a significant strengthening in ethical concern among consumers, which has led to an increase in demand for “ethical” choices in the marketplace. The textile and clothing (T&C) industry is one of the industries with a significant impact on ecological and social footprints on our planet, mainly driven by resource, and labour-intensive practices and driving the largest carbon footprint throughout the value chains. This study contributes to current knowledge of sustainability in the textile and clothing industry. This study first portrays the importance of sustainability and business ethics in the fashion industry based on the extant literature. Second, it seeks to provide a current status of the problematic on sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry taking as an example the Swedish multinational clothing retail company, H&M, well-known for its wide controversies. The analysis research is aligned to international organisations’ standards and principles, and it is mainly divided into four dimensions implemented by the United Nations: respect for human rights, labour, environmental protection, and anti-corruption.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Method
- 3. CSR and Business Ethics
- 4. Sustainable Issues in the Clothing Industry
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the ethical business practices within the clothing and textile industry, focusing on sustainability. It investigates the ethical issues prevalent in the fashion industry, specifically examining the case of H&M, and evaluating H&M's CSR initiatives to address these issues.
- Ethical and unethical practices in the fashion industry
- The role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the fashion industry
- Analysis of H&M's ethical and sustainable practices
- The impact of fast fashion on sustainability
- International standards and guidelines for sustainable practices in the fashion industry
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the research by highlighting the globalized nature of the fashion industry and its significant economic impact, employing statistics to illustrate the scale of employment and revenue. It underscores the industry's substantial environmental and social footprint, linking it to issues of fast fashion, unsustainable practices, and the exploitation of cheap labor. The chapter sets the stage for examining the importance of CSR and ethical business practices, particularly in light of the industry's global reach and environmental impact. It also introduces the research questions guiding the study: What are the ethical issues in the fashion industry? What are the unethical practices of H&M? And, what are H&M's CSR initiatives to counteract these issues?
2. Method: This chapter details the research methodology employed in the study. It explains the use of a qualitative research approach, outlining the sources of data collection, including scientific literature, journal articles, newspapers, and reports from international organizations such as the European Parliament, United Nations, and H&M's own CSR reports. The databases used are explicitly listed, clarifying the scope of the literature review. The chapter highlights the qualitative content analysis used to assess H&M's sustainable initiatives and compliance with international standards. The DETOX campaign of Greenpeace and the ZDHC initiatives are cited as key benchmarks against which H&M's practices are evaluated.
3. CSR and Business Ethics: This chapter delves into the historical development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its relationship to business ethics. It traces the evolution of CSR theory from individual perspectives to institutional considerations, citing key figures like Bowen and Davis. The chapter introduces Carroll's Pyramid of CSR, illustrating the four levels of responsibility (economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic). It then discusses the debate surrounding the determination of a company's values, exploring whether these are set by the company itself or the society in which it operates. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the resurgence of interest in business ethics due to past corporate scandals, and noting both the positive aspects of companies embracing CSR and the criticisms of such efforts being superficial.
4. Sustainable Issues in the Clothing Industry: This chapter focuses on the specific sustainable challenges facing the clothing industry, starting with the intense price pressure leading to outsourcing to low-wage countries and the associated difficulties in managing labor and environmental practices within complex supply chains. The chapter provides evidence of exploitative labor conditions, referencing the European Parliament's use of the term "slave labor" to describe situations in Asia. It also discusses the "take, make, and dispose" model inherent in the fast-fashion industry and its connection to ecological and social problems at various stages of the supply chain.
Keywords
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, Fashion Industry, H&M, Ethical Issues, United Nations, DETOX, Greenpeace, Fast Fashion, Supply Chain, Business Ethics, Multinational Corporations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Ethical Business Practices in the Clothing Industry
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes ethical business practices within the clothing and textile industry, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. It investigates ethical issues prevalent in the fashion industry, using H&M as a case study to examine its CSR initiatives in addressing these issues.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include ethical and unethical practices in the fashion industry, the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), an analysis of H&M's ethical and sustainable practices, the impact of fast fashion on sustainability, and international standards and guidelines for sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
What methodology was used in this research?
The research employed a qualitative approach, using data from scientific literature, journal articles, newspapers, and reports from organizations like the European Parliament, United Nations, and H&M's own CSR reports. Qualitative content analysis was used to assess H&M's sustainable initiatives against benchmarks such as the Greenpeace DETOX campaign and ZDHC initiatives.
What are the key findings regarding CSR and business ethics in the context of the fashion industry?
The paper explores the historical development of CSR, its relationship to business ethics, and Carroll's Pyramid of CSR. It discusses the debate surrounding the determination of a company's values and the resurgence of interest in business ethics due to past corporate scandals. Both the positive aspects of companies embracing CSR and criticisms of superficial efforts are considered.
What are the specific sustainable challenges highlighted in the clothing industry?
The paper discusses intense price pressure leading to outsourcing to low-wage countries, difficulties in managing labor and environmental practices within complex supply chains, exploitative labor conditions (including the use of the term "slave labor" by the European Parliament), and the negative environmental and social impact of the "take, make, and dispose" model of fast fashion.
What are the research questions addressed in this paper?
The study seeks to answer: What are the ethical issues in the fashion industry? What are the unethical practices of H&M? And, what are H&M's CSR initiatives to counteract these issues?
What are the key chapters and their content?
The paper includes an introduction establishing the context and research questions; a methodology chapter detailing the research approach; a chapter on CSR and business ethics; and a final chapter focusing on sustainable issues within the clothing industry.
What keywords are associated with this research?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, Fashion Industry, H&M, Ethical Issues, United Nations, DETOX, Greenpeace, Fast Fashion, Supply Chain, Business Ethics, Multinational Corporations.
- Quote paper
- Barbara Beltran Torres (Author), 2021, Ethical issues in the fashion industry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1126200
