Environmental aspects across the global fashion industry value chain: where does the supply-side of the industry stand today and where should it be heading? An analysis of global trends and a comparative focus on the Belgian fashion market.

Details

Supervisors

Sabine Denis

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] en Ingénieur de gestion

Abstract

Purpose This research thesis focuses on environmental aspects across the global fashion industry value chain. It describes where the supply-side of the industry is standing today and where it should be heading. In addition, it analyzes the sustainable Belgian fashion landscape and compares the Belgian fashion market to current global trends in environmental sustainability. Originality/Value This thesis contributes to the scientific literature by providing an overview of what the global fashion industry encompasses and where it is standing regarding environmental sustainability. An unprecedented recollection of recent developments and projections is provided through main environmental challenges and initiatives from a supply-perspective of the global fashion industry value chain. It also explores the sustainable Belgian fashion landscape and compares how Belgium is performing in comparison to global trends. It makes recommendations on both a global level and more specifically for Belgian fashion company executives on how to move forward regarding the environmental sustainability topic. Methodology/Approach The methodology used in this thesis is a data collection of existing literature, recent developments and initiatives in the global fashion industry. The sustainable Belgian fashion market is presented through both primary and secondary qualitative research, as well as a survey-based analysis designed for senior executives at Belgian fashion companies or brands. Findings The global fashion industry has a long way to go regarding environmental sustainability. If no action is taken, fashion companies will soon experience rising resource scarcity along their supply chains, rising costs, volatility and falling fashion item prices. In Belgium, there have been promising evolutions recently but these focus on the consumer side and are concentrated in Flanders. Furthermore, the most sustainable Belgian fashion brands are very recent. Of the 10 comparative hypotheses with global trends, 6 were validated by the survey results. Recommendations for future research Assumptions for the Belgian fashion brand landscape are drawn from the survey results presented in the discussion of this thesis and could serve as input for future research. This would require the scale-up of the survey used in this thesis to the full extent of the Belgian fashion brand landscape, which would require help from a Belgian research institution and would necessitate obligatory participation from brands.