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1 – 7 of 7Thamoda Geegamage, Achini Ranaweera and Rangika Halwatura
The fashion industry has been accused of being the second largest environmental polluter in the world. Millions of tons of post-consumer waste are dumped in landfills and garbage…
Abstract
Purpose
The fashion industry has been accused of being the second largest environmental polluter in the world. Millions of tons of post-consumer waste are dumped in landfills and garbage disposal sites each year. However, environmental concerns are emerging as a mainstream issue among modern-day consumers. This critical problem has prompted fashion retailers and brands to embrace sustainable practices to address consumers’ environmental concerns by reducing pollution. Given this background, this research aims to understand consumer’s perceptions of value towards second-hand fashion consumption in the context of Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory study uses a qualitative approach to understand consumers’ perceptions of value towards second-hand fashion consumption.
Findings
This research uses the theoretical model of the means-end chain model and shows five consumer’s values of second-hand consumers: price-consciousness, consciousness on emotional bonds, comfortability consciousness, quality and brand consciousness and social and environmental consciousness. Furthermore, the authors show non-second-hand fashion consumers’ values as social status consciousness, hygienic consciousness, comfortability consciousness, quality and brand consciousness and self-expressive consciousness.
Originality/value
This research sheds some light on the emerging knowledge of second-hand consumption. This research further points out certain practical implications by drawing attention to a few opportunities and challenges associated with the second-hand fashion business within the Sri Lankan fashion retail sector, in particular when launching new fashion brands catering to second-hand fashion consumers.
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Burak Sari, Memik Bunyamin Uzumcu and Kubra Ozsahin
The study aimed to investigate the impact of mechanically recycled cotton fibres from pre-consumer waste, blended with virgin cotton at varying ratios, on the mechanical and…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aimed to investigate the impact of mechanically recycled cotton fibres from pre-consumer waste, blended with virgin cotton at varying ratios, on the mechanical and fastness properties of knitted fabrics.
Design/methodology/approach
Single jersey fabrics were produced using open-end rotor yarns with two different yarn counts, which were made from cotton blends obtained at three different mechanical recycled cotton blend ratios. The fabrics were then comparatively analysed for pilling resistance, bursting strength, dimensional stability, and fastness to perspiration, water, and rubbing. The investigations included fabrics made from 100% virgin cotton to determine the impact of mechanically recycled cotton fibres on the final fabric properties.
Findings
It was observed that using MR-CO at different ratios generally produced results similar to the usage properties obtained when using virgin cotton.
Originality/value
The study looked in detail at the effect of using mechanically recycled cotton (MR-CO) on the yarn properties and the mechanical and colour fastness properties of the fabrics produced using them. It was found that MR-CO has the potential to be an alternative fibre source to virgin cotton, not only mechanically but also in terms of colour fastness. Previous studies have commonly used MR-CO in fixed ratios or by incorporating various fibres into the blend. However, in this study, we determined the suitability of fabrics for their intended use by gradually increasing the MR-CO blend ratios and more clearly assessing the impact of MR-CO on fabric properties.
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Dawn M. Michaelson, Boowon Kim and Veena Chattaraman
This study examines whether design typicality and the communication of the zero-waste concept as a sustainable practice impact consumers’ aesthetic preferences and purchase…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines whether design typicality and the communication of the zero-waste concept as a sustainable practice impact consumers’ aesthetic preferences and purchase intentions for zero-waste apparel.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed a 2 (dress design: typical vs atypical) × 2 (dress length: long vs short) × 2 (zero-waste concept communication: present vs absent) mixed factorial experimental design with an online survey of 137 female consumers, ages 19–34.
Findings
Respondents rated typical zero-waste design dresses significantly higher than atypical dresses for aesthetic preferences and purchase intentions. Further, the zero-waste design concept did not affect this typicality-based preference or purchase intention for zero-waste dresses. They also demonstrated greater overall aesthetic preferences for long than short zero-waste dresses. Design typicality moderated this effect such that aesthetic preferences and purchase intentions were greater for long than short-length dresses when the zero-waste dress design was typical. When the design was atypical, purchase intentions were greater for short than long dresses.
Research limitations/implications
Typicality is critical in consumers’ aesthetic preferences and purchase intentions for zero-waste apparel.
Originality/value
The study focused on zero-waste dress typicality as a critical factor in consumers’ preference formation and purchase intentions. Additionally, it investigated dress length preferences within typical and atypical designs.
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Bhavya Pande and Gajendra Kumar Adil
As sustainability becomes more important in manufacturing, researchers recommend using the four-stage Hayes and Wheelwright (H-W) model of strategic manufacturing effectiveness…
Abstract
Purpose
As sustainability becomes more important in manufacturing, researchers recommend using the four-stage Hayes and Wheelwright (H-W) model of strategic manufacturing effectiveness (SME) to integrate sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) at a strategic level. However, there is limited research on this topic. This paper investigates SMPs encompassing four sustainable manufacturing capabilities (SMCs): pollution control, pollution prevention, product stewardship, and clean technology. It relates these SMCs to the four SME stages of the H-W model, both of which form a continuum of stages.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model on the congruence between SMCs and SME stages is first established using organizational theories to identify the dominant combinations. This model is then tested by examining 178 SMPs of four large manufacturing firms.
Findings
The study reveals that the SMPs of the case firms clearly show SMC and SME stage characteristics. Few deviations from the relationships established in the theoretical model are observed, leading to a revision of the model. A major finding is that SMPs within an SMC category can span multiple SME stages.
Research limitations/implications
The study proposes a revised model based on a small sample of case firms, which may limit its broader applicability.
Practical implications
Manufacturing practitioners can use the findings of this study to plan SMPs that align with their SME goals.
Originality/value
Towards incorporating sustainability in the H-W model, this is the first major exploratory study that establishes congruent relationship between SMCs and SME stages of the H-W model.
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Caterina Trevisan, Marco Formentini and Madeleine Pullman
Food waste is generated along the entire agricultural supply chain. From farm overproduction to lack of cold chain infrastructure, waste occurs for multiple reasons and negatively…
Abstract
Purpose
Food waste is generated along the entire agricultural supply chain. From farm overproduction to lack of cold chain infrastructure, waste occurs for multiple reasons and negatively impacts the environment and society while generating economic losses. Although various supply chain actors and institutions have made attempts to reduce it, the activity is often confined to a single farm or to a retailer and charity dyad, without a systematic resolution of the problem. The environment is not only negatively impacted by the reduction of soil, water and biodiversity but also human beings suffer from malnutrition and food insecurity and finally, the entire supply chain faces considerable economic losses. Various supply chain actors have attempted to reduce this waste, but the results are often limited. The purpose of this paper is to consider systematic resolution by proposing a reconceptualisation from an alternative Operations and Supply Chain Management (O&SCM) perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed paper is problem-based research, which merges the research and industry perspectives derived from the authors’ field experience interviewing different supply chain stakeholders in Italy, the UK, the USA and France with an analysis of O&SCM literature related to food loss and waste.
Findings
In order to address the food waste problem, we propose a new perspective in dealing with food loss and waste through the lens of O&SCM. By reconceptualising O&SCM theories and methods with the unique aspects of food loss and waste and taking into account the multitude of stakeholders involved, we propose five research avenues.
Originality/value
The perspective of O&SCM management is missing when dealing systematically with food loss and waste, as researchers neglect its unique characteristics.
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Abul Bashar, Ahsan Akhtar Hasin, Samrat Ray, Md. Nazmus Sakib, Md. Mahbubur Rahman and Nabila Binta Bashar
Lean Manufacturing Systems (LMS) gained popularity among manufacturers globally. However, their efficacy in developing and least-developed countries remained noticeably…
Abstract
Purpose
Lean Manufacturing Systems (LMS) gained popularity among manufacturers globally. However, their efficacy in developing and least-developed countries remained noticeably understudied. Motivated by this research gap, the researchers of this study designed a quantitative study with a structured survey technique to investigate its context-specific impact on the apparel industry of a developing country. Hence, this study aimed to examine the relationship between LMS and elimination of waste (EOW) and operational performance (OP) and comprehend how the EOW mediates the relationship between an LMS and OP within the apparel industry of a developing economy.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers collected data from 227 garment companies in Bangladesh. These organization-level data were then analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach with AMOS 20.0 software to examine the direct and indirect effects among EOW, LMS and OP.
Findings
The findings of this study suggest that EOW has a direct and significant effect on OP. This research also revealed that EOW has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between LMS and OP.
Research limitations/implications
This research focused on a single industry administering self-reported data and cross-sectional design, limiting generalizability and causal inference.
Practical implications
LMS and directing efforts towards EOW can significantly improve the operational performance of apparel companies by reducing lead times and costs, improving quality and increasing productivity.
Originality/value
These findings can provide useful insight to managers, practitioners and future researchers to understand the relationship between EOW, LMS and OP to optimize their production processes and improve OP in the apparel industry.
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Asyari Asyari, Perengki Susanto, Mohammad Enamul Hoque, Rika Widianita, Md. Kausar Alam and Abdullah Al Mamun
Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in fostering economic development by cultivating skilled workforce and generating knowledge and innovation. However, HEIs…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in fostering economic development by cultivating skilled workforce and generating knowledge and innovation. However, HEIs may pose a potential risk to sustainable economic development due to the generation of food waste inside their campus canteens. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), religiosity and pro-social behavior among State Islamic Religious College (SIRC) students on their intention to avoid food waste behavior. This study also focused on the mediating role of the three original theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables and pro-social behavior in the relationship between religiosity and the intention to reduce food waste.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires were used to collect data from 443 students at SIRC. The collected data were processed and analyzed using structural equation modelling to test direct, indirect and mediating effects.
Findings
The empirical results indicated that the eagerness of students at SIRC to reduce their behavior of leaving food behind can be driven by their negative attitudes or views toward food waste, the practice of religious teachings in their lives, the belief that they can avoid food waste and their concern for the environment. The empirical results reveal that even though religiosity influences SN, it is unable to strengthen the relationship between religiosity and the desire to be anti-food waste.
Practical implications
In addition to contributing to the food waste literature in the context of eating behavior, the results of this study have theoretical and practical implications.
Originality/value
To assess SIRC students’ behavioral intentions to avoid food waste behavior, this study used a contemporary setting to measure attitude, SN, PBC, religiosity and pro-social behavior, so strengthening the TPB’s empirical underpinning.
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