Custom-made apparel manufacturing micro-enterprise owners’ perspectives on sustainability
How higher education can contribute
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21721058 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lorna Christie (0000-0002-7177-8325, University of South Africa), Elizabeth Kempen (0000-0002-4447-7797, University of South Africa), M Strydom (0000-0003-3411-6629, University of South Africa) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | 1503-1519 |
| Publication date | 2021-10-28 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1467-6370 • E-ISSN: 1758-6739 |
| Publisher | Emerald (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1108/ijshe-05-2020-0153 |
| OpenAlex | W3163135210 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 30 |
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate custom-made apparel manufacturing micro-enterprise (CMME) owners’ perspectives of sustainability within their business practices throughout the entire product development process and determine how educational initiatives can promote a more environmentally conscious product development process. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study, using face-to-face interviews and observations of CMMEs at an incubation hub presents evidence of owners’ sustainability perspectives. Findings Although CMME owners disregard sustainability as a pro-environmental approach within the business context, attempts at pro-environmental subconscious behaviour and a deliberate non-environmental consciousness are evident in sourcing and manufacturing during the product development process. Research limitations/implications Because of the case study approach of four CMMEs in an IH, the findings may not be applicable to other small and micro-businesses. Despite this limitation, valuable insights emerged that show the current inaptness of the CMMEs to manage an environmentally sustainable business practice. Social implications To promote sustainable development goal 12, related to the clothing and textile industry, it is postulated that CMMEs should be supported to minimise their use of resources, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. Originality/value The findings of this study direct the development of higher education educational programmes featuring learning content on pro-environmental design and business practices for CMMEs
Business · Clothing · Knowledge management · New product development · Originality · Process management · Qualitative research · Sociology · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Environmental Sustainability in Business · Global trade, sustainability, and social impact · Sustainable Supply Chain Management · Marketing
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| Highly cited | No |
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