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Corporate social responsibility in luxury manufacturer supply chains: An exploratory investigation of a Scottish cashmere garment manufacturer

Neil Towers (Department of Business Management, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Patsy Perry (Heriot-Watt University, School of Management & Languages, Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Rong Chen (Heriot-Watt University, School of Management & Languages, Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

ISSN: 0959-0552

Article publication date: 15 November 2013

3964

Abstract

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a central part of the sourcing and supply activity in the textile industry. The role of supply chain management is fundamental to CSR implementation as it has become a key customer requirement and business driver. This research seeks to investigate how the luxury sector is addressing these demands through a single in-depth exploratory study of a Scottish based luxury own-brand and branded cashmere garment manufacturer.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an exploratory approach through a single qualitative case study.

Findings

Corporate social responsibility has become an increasingly important part of the luxury garment producer ' s operation. The luxury brands are now placing additional demands on the cashmere producer to demonstrate compliance with CSR standards which in turn requires the company to adjust its operating procedure and management processes. The current levels of transparency and auditability of the CSR management process throughout the layers of the business were less sophisticated than currently found in many mid-market garment manufacturers and retailers.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the paper are based on a single qualitative exploratory study and therefore analytic generalisations are possible from interpreting the results.

Practical implications

The contribution of the paper is a greater understanding of CSR management in the work and information flows for a specialised international luxury manufacturing business throughout its geographically extended supply chain.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is a greater understanding of CSR management in the work and information flows for a specialised international luxury manufacturing business throughout its geographically extended supply chain.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Economic and Social Research Council and the case study company for their support with this project.

Citation

Towers, N., Perry, P. and Chen, R. (2013), "Corporate social responsibility in luxury manufacturer supply chains: An exploratory investigation of a Scottish cashmere garment manufacturer", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 41 No. 11/12, pp. 961-972. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-05-2013-0100

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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