Fair Trade, Sustainability, and Social Change

Hudson, Mark; Hudson, Ian; Fridell, Mara

doi:10.1057/9781137269850

Cited by 18 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…For example, the use of labels resembling the fair trade label could reflect the fair-washing strategy of ‘captive certification.’ In this case, corporations associate with or develop labels/certificates that resemble fair trade labels, but that do not provide the same high social standards, and that often align with business interests (Reed 2009; see also Hudson & Hudson 2003). Although such labels can have their own value, they become problematic when they are mistaken for fair trade, as the standards emphasize different aspects of the production and trade process (e.g., Hudson et al 2013; Raynolds et al 2009). The similarity of standard texts referring to producers on packages bearing fair trade labels and those bearing other labels indicates how easily such mistakes could be made by consumers who are unaware of the exact content of the various certification schemes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Third, communication on the packages of brands with other labels is unlikely to offer any profound revelations concerning the production process. We expect this because many of these labels are identified as ‘substitute labels’ (Hudson et al 2013: 138), which are actually ‘certifications that largely hold the bar on existing standards to foster corporate engagement’ (Raynolds et al 2007: 159). Finally, products without labels, but with names stressing origins are likely to refer to the origins of the product, but in a manner that actually invokes a ‘double commodity fetish’ (Cook & Crang 1996).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Obviously, there is also external competition with similar products that are not certified as fair trade. Moreover, labels have been developed that make claims that resemble those made by the fair trade movement (Hudson & Hudson 2003; Hudson et al 2013; Arnold & Hasse 2015). Although the various labels are not at all interchangeable (e.g., Raynolds et al 2007), they arguably could be confusing to consumers, who do not necessarily make clear distinctions (e.g., Renard 2003; Hudson et al 2013; Watson 2006).…”

Section: Fair Trade Products Going Mainstream: Competition On the Supermarket Shelfmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Placing the distant other on the shelf: An analysis and comparison of (fair trade) coffee packages in relation to commodity fetishism

Geysmans

Hustinx

2016

Sociological Research Online

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Fair trade has been praised for ‘de-fetishizing’ commodities by providing consumers with information on the production of the commodity. Various empirical studies of fair trade marketing materials have generated critique of this vision. However, these focused on materials produced by engaged fair trade organizations. As the fair trade concept has entered the mainstream, fair trade products have found their way into supermarkets. In this setting, these products are confronted with competition, both internal (with other fair trade products) and external (with non-fair trade products). In this article, we argue for a broader focus when studying the relationship between fair trade and defetishization. Our argument is based on a study of whether and how defetishization is advanced on packages of ground coffee within the retail landscape of Flanders, Belgium. Several categories of packages can be distinguished, based on brand (e.g., fair trade advocate, regular brand, retailer house brand) and label (e.g. fair trade label; other social label; no label, but origin is emphasized in the product name). We demonstrate the difficulty of distinguishing these packages based on the visual and textual information they carry (beyond the label), which complicates the identification of any clearly distinct ‘fair trade message’ on these packages. Instead of serving a clear ‘defetishizing’ function, these messages are mixed, interchanged, and adapted. We argue that this could be a direct consequence of perceived or actual changes in the consumer publics inherent to the mainstreaming of fair trade.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fair Trade Products Going Mainstream: Competition On the Supermarket Shelfmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Placing the distant other on the shelf: An analysis and comparison of (fair trade) coffee packages in relation to commodity fetishism

Geysmans

Hustinx

2016

Sociological Research Online

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“…Такъв е случаят със сътрудничеството между Save the Children и Starbucks, имащо за цел да насърчи правото на образование на деца в неравностойно положение. С финансовата подкрепа на Starbucks неправителствената организация предоставя образователни услуги на деца в районите за отглеждане на кафе в Гватемала (Hudson, Hudson & Fridell, 2013).…”

Section: същност и развитие на партньорстватаunclassified

Partnerships Between Non-Governmental Organizations and Businesses in the Context of Sustainability

Simeonov¹

2022

etj

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The empirical research aims to identify the motives of NGOs for initiating and entering into partnerships with business. The study was conducted using a web-based questionnaire completed by 112 non-profit organizations in Bulgaria. It was found that the main motives of these organizations are related to the opportunities for financial support, in-kind donations and management of larger projects of public importance. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test applied confirms the presence of a statistically significant difference between financial support and other motives. At the same time, partnerships between the two sectors in Bulgaria, at least from the NGOs' point of view, are still in their early stages of development. Their support for strategic partnerships with business as a sustainable approach to current global challenges is also marginal.

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“…Recent studies of ethical consumption and Fair Trade have applied a range of perspectives and theoretical frameworks to this field of research including: sustainability and social change (Hudson et al, 2013), consumer activism (Gabriel and Lang, 2015) and value chain analysis (Doherty et al, 2013). Scholars have also considered the conceptualisation of consumption ethics through a longer historical lens and raised the debate between those that see evidence of decades of social concern and those who see centuries (Newholm et al, 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fair trade and consumer social responsibility

Anderson

2018

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical position of the ethical consumer as a driver of change within the Fair Trade movement. Fair Trade was originally envisaged as a model of South-North trade; however, with Fair Trade labels now available to consumers in India, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya, the geographies of production and consumption appear increasingly fluid and dynamic. Design/methodology/approach Using a historical comparative case study approach this paper draws on the records and archives from eight leading Fair Trade organisations based in the UK. Findings The paper develops an exploratory framework based on an assessment of Fair Trade’s theory(ies) of change and the role of the ethical consumer as an agent of change. Four consumer narratives are identified: simpler living and moral action; co-operation and solidarity; consumer demand and choice; and citizen-consumers. The paper concludes by considering the implications for globalising the concept of the “citizen-consumer” and the (re)politicisation of Fair Trade consumption. Research limitations/implications Primary data collection was mainly based on UK organisations. Additional comparative studies could develop an understanding of the context and geographies of Fair Trade practices. Practical implications New and emerging Fair Trade markets may offer valuable areas of further study. Social implications Increased understanding of the drivers of social change may lead to improved decision-making by Fair Trade organisations and policy-makers. Originality/value The paper contributes to the development and understanding of Fair Trade’s theory of change model by offering an historical dimension that is absent from the majority of existing studies.

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Fair Trade, Sustainability, and Social Change

Cited by 18 publications

References 72 publications

Placing the distant other on the shelf: An analysis and comparison of (fair trade) coffee packages in relation to commodity fetishism

Placing the distant other on the shelf: An analysis and comparison of (fair trade) coffee packages in relation to commodity fetishism

Partnerships Between Non-Governmental Organizations and Businesses in the Context of Sustainability

Fair trade and consumer social responsibility

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