- 期刊
The Transition towards Sustainable Materials Production and Upgrading to Brands: Cases of the Textile Industry in Taiwan
台灣紡織永續生產與品牌升級變革之探討
摘要
The textiles and clothing (T&C) sectors are major world polluters. Efforts directed towards the detoxification of T&C supply chains have come to the fore as global brands require that their suppliers procure yarns, fabric and clothing coming mostly from sustainable sources. The Taiwanese spinning and textile mills have responded remarkably well to these demands by developing fabrics from sustainable sources while simultaneously conforming to global certification standards. However, vast excess export fabrics remain as unsold inventory in warehouses, which has prompted textile mills to find resourceful ways for their utilization. Resourcefulness, has led textile mills to pursue upgrading in the form of brands directed to domestic markets. The aim of this research is to explore how mills have coped with their transition to sustainable materials production as well as their endeavours of upgrading to brands in order to reduce excess export capacity materials. The study has made use of the inductive research methodology embedded into qualitative research methods. The major theories employed in the framework, have included global production networks and upgrading, green business models achieved by narrowing and closing resource loops and stylistic innovation in fashion design and branding. Findings suggest that while Taiwanese textile mills have indeed managed to transition towards sustainable fabrics and clothing to global brands, in the implementation of green business models, they seem to disregard important other stakeholders such as society and the environment. Upgrading to brands is also problematic as the brand narrative and also the physical presence of collections in stores connect very little with sustainable practices and circularity to the local customer base.