Collaboration in achieving sustainable solutions in the textile industry

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how sustainable solutions in the textiles and clothing industry are decided through business-to-business collaboration. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative and inductive study of the Brazilian textiles and clothing industry is carried out, an industry in which sustainable denim products are increasingly being recognized as subject to competition. The paper adopts a focal net perspective to understand the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine the products they offer as a sustainable solution. Documentary data were collected and in-depth interviews conducted with the top managers of one of the world’s largest denim-manufacturing companies present in the Brazilian market, which is involved in providing sustainable solutions in cooperation with its partners. Findings The authors describe the factors that reflect the conditions for generating a sustainable business performance, including a corporate policy that assumes and articulates the responsibility for social interest, core-business stakeholders and regulatory requirements; a sustainable product-service system (S.PSS) based on innovative interactions between the stakeholders in the value production system; relations between stakeholders that promote business sustainability through a dependable value chain characterized by a sense of collaboration and collective actions; and a business model for sustainability that combines economic with social and ecological value creation. These factors help a business establish a more strategic position in the value network, enabling it to capture more value. Practical implications Sustainable solutions are developed dynamically and collaboratively within an S.PPS. Managers need to focus not only on tangible products but also on intangible services designed and combined so that they are jointly capable of fulfilling customer’s needs and creating social and ecological value. Managers within the solution provider must develop business models for sustainability that are continually evolving to satisfy the interest in resource-efficiency by actors in civil society, business and government. Originality/value The research contributes to the existing literature by applying approaches involving corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strategic nets to the study of the implementation of an S.PSS. Sustainable initiatives and offers developed by an S.PSS are not isolated phenomena but result from collaboration in finding solutions among different actors linked in a strategic net. In this sense, companies need to adjust their business models for sustainability to generate positive economic, social and ecological value and gain credibility for their missions.

Sustainability in the Coffee Supply Chain and Purchasing Policies: A Case Study Research

“…Kittichotsatsawat et al [42] advocate the use of smart technologies and tools for sustainable development potential, but since in this study we did not find evidence of the company promoting such technologies to suppliers, this opportunity was identified as being missed. Moreover, using the framework proposed by Abreu et al [3] regarding the dynamics and factors that provide sustainable solutions, Grupo Nabeiro, the owner of Delta Cafés, fails in two dimensions: traceability and consistent behavior or practices. The first problem relates to traceability, because not all coffee traded by the company has traceable origins for the consumer.…”

“…On the one hand, consumers are showing a growing preference for green products and services. On the other hand, employees and organizations are concerned while, at the same time, enthusiastic about developing relationships with other companies that already have sustainable practices in place [3][4][5]. This behavior has already shown some impact on different industries.…”

A Study on Green Advertising Effectiveness in the Perspective of Image Proximity

“…It is extremely important to clarify the boundaries of product type for a marketing strategy of a company. Existing research has divided product types into various types, such as utilitarian and hedonic products, durable and non-durable products, and tangible and intangible products (Abreu et al, 2020 ; Zhou et al, 2021 ). According to information characteristics, the literature has identified two types of product type, search and experience products (Nelson, 1970 ).…”

Weaving sustainable solutions: Utilizing collaboration in the textile industry to achieve sustainable solutions

“…A focus on responsibility of business within B2B textile networks is, therefore, a key facet of S.PSS. Whilst it is a fundamental part of governmental oversight of industry, the work of Abreu et al (2020) indicates that it is fully within the portfolio of responsibilities of textile businesses to improve their appearance of being, and engagement with, responsible actions. From this, a collaboration element to B2B relationships within the textile industry is posited as crucial to success at achieving and cementing sustainable practices.…”

“…A key facet of CSR is using the sustainable product-service system (S.PSS). This, according to Abreu et al (2020), uses schemes such as renting, upgrading, redesigning and lending, to reduce reliance on natural resources, whilst concurrently increasing product quality, longevity and customer satisfaction. Yet, S.PSS needs to achieve an improvement of competitiveness and sustainability simultaneously.…”