| Title | Overcoming Growth Challenges of Sustainable Ventures in the Fashion Industry: A Multinational Exploration |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 34374 |
| Authors | Hofmann, KH; Jacob, A; Pizzingrilli, M |
| Title | Overcoming Growth Challenges of Sustainable Ventures in the Fashion Industry: A Multinational Exploration |
| Year | 2022 |
| Published | Sustainability, 14, 16 |
| Abstract | Over the past decade, the proliferation of entrepreneurial ventures and small firms with sustainable business models have pushed the sustainability agenda in the fashion industry. Despite prominent success stories, these companies often encounter significant operative challenges that hinder growth or even cause business failure. This paper adopts a qualitative research design and uses data gathered during 18 expert interviews with entrepreneurs and executive managers of 18 firms from 13 countries to identify and explore the dominant challenges that micro- and small-sized sustainable fashion companies struggle with. The results indicate that communicating with consumers is perceived as surprisingly difficult, especially because sustainable brands need to justify higher prices and explain the added benefits of their products. Second, resource constraints lead to operative friction and overburdening of the decision makers and their small management teams. Third, sustainable sourcing and production processes are economically difficult in an industry that continues to occupy a mass and low-cost logic. Against the background of these insights, a range of managerial recommendations are developed and contextualized in the framework of the Business Model Canvas. This novel approach makes the suggestions which are rooted in the resource-based view actionable and supports sustainable businesses to better manage their operations and achieve growth. For example, collaborative approaches with different stakeholders may mitigate constraints across all three identified problem areas. |
Similar Articles
| ID | Score | Article |
|---|---|---|
13937
|
Todeschini, BV; Cortimiglia, MN; Callegaro-de-Menezes, D; Ghezzi, A Innovative and sustainable business models in the fashion industry: Entrepreneurial drivers, opportunities, and challenges(2017)Business Horizons, 60, 6 | |
| 66202
|
Pedersen, ERG; Andersen, KR Sustainability innovators and anchor draggers: a global expert study on sustainable fashion(2015)Journal Of Fashion Marketing And Management, 19.0, 3 | |
| 78475
|
Pal, R Sustainable Business Development Through Designing Approaches for Fashion Value Chains(2014) | |
| 70140
|
Kozlowski, A; Searcy, C; Bardecki, M The reDesign canvas: Fashion design as a tool for sustainability(2018) | |
| 34404
|
Thorisdottir, TS; Johannsdottir, L; Pedersen, ERG; Niinimäki, K Social, environmental, and economic value in sustainable fashion business models(2024) | |
| 34030
|
Pal, R; Gander, J Modelling environmental value: An examination of sustainable business models within the fashion industry(2018) | |
| 74764
|
Curwen, LG; Park, J; Sarkar, AK Challenges and Solutions of Sustainable Apparel Product Development: A Case Study of Eileen Fisher(2013)Clothing And Textiles Research Journal, 31, 1 | |
| 33936
|
Kozlowski, A; Searcy, C; Bardecki, M Innovation for a Sustainable Fashion Industry: A Design Focused Approach Toward the Development of New Business Models(2016) | |
| 14033
|
D'Itria, E; Aus, R Circular fashion: evolving practices in a changing industry(2023)Sustainability-Science Practice And Policy, 19, 1 | |
| 9612
|
Ma, J; Huang, LJ; Guo, Q; Zhu, YL Sustainability in design: Sustainable fashion design practices and environmental impact using mixed-method analysis(2024) |