Sustainable collaborative supply networks in the international clothing industry: a comparative analysis of two retailers

Abstract

Collaborative supply networks in the international clothing industry arc or major economic significance in many countries, particularly in developing economies. The sector has gone through substantial changes in the past decade with abolition of trade barriers and the increasingly dominant position or major retailer and brand owners in supply networks. The sustainability of clothing supply networks are analyzed. Two contrasting supply networks one for a major supermarket retailer are analyzed and compared from a sustainability perspective. The challenges in accessing economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability at a network level are highlighted. The results show a minimum compliance culture in the supermarket supply network. Whereas the leading brand retailer demonstrates a much higher level of proactive and positive sustainability practices and actions across the network. The study highlights the benefits of a strongly collaborative network in helping to facilitate and enhance a sustainability agenda. The implications of the study are discovered for retailers. Manufacturers and policy makers, as well as for the governance of collaborative supply networks more generally.