Traceability and Transparency for Sustainable Fashion-Apparel Supply Chains

Abstract

[Abstract]: Purpose: The relationship between sustainability, traceability and transparency in the fashion-apparel industry needs clarification from both a conceptual and a practical perspective. Thus, the first goal of this study is to analyse and adapt the conceptualization of traceability and transparency, and their definitions and interrelations with sustainability, to the scope of the fashion-apparel industry. The second goal is to uncover the key elements responsible for fostering and hindering their deployment in practice in this industry, characterized by complex, labour-intensive and geographically dispersed supply chains. Design/methodology/approach : Guided by a thorough academic literature review, a qualitative Delphi study with fourteen experts from the fashion industry representing key stakeholders in the broad supply chain (focal firms, suppliers and other main stakeholders such as NGOs, trade unions, governments, etc.) was developed. Findings: Clear boundaries amongst sustainability, traceability and transparency are identified and a relational model including stakeholder groups and roles, drivers and barriers is substantiated. Traceability (defined as an ability) together with transparency (conceptualised as an internal decision) and assisted (inter alia) by cross-sector collaboration are found to be necessary but not sufficient conditions to achieve SC sustainability (conceived as an outcome). Originality :The work adapts general concepts from the Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) literature to the particular context of the fashion-apparel industry, incorporating the vision and nuances of all the key stakeholder groups representing a global fashion supply chain, and highlighting the mutually reinforcing relationship among traceability, transparency and cross-sector collaboration for effective SSCM in the fashion industry.