Case Study: Exploratory Assessment of Sustainability Capability of Textile and Apparel Corporations in China
This study explores the highly polluting and resource and labor-intensive features of the textile and apparel industry. It reveals four key areas or goals in corporate sustainability: environmental protection, labor relations, operation improvement, and public welfare involvement. Only 22% of Chinese textile and apparel corporations can be considered "Truly Sustainable Corporations", leaving ample opportunity for improvement.
What moral responsibility do corporations have when producing goods? What factors determine the degree to which a corporation takes on social and environmental responsibilities? What factors would account for lack of consistent, long-term commitment to sustainability by a company?
Abbreviations
MRCS: moral responsibility theory of corporate sustainability
T&A: textile and apparel
WTO: World Trade Organization
MNCs: multinational corporations
CNTAC: China National Textile and Apparel Council
TBL or 3BL: triple bottom line
CSR: corporate social responsibility
GRI: global reporting initiative
CASS: Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
CCCT: China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel
ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance
ISO: International Organization for Standardization