Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Supply Chain Transparency and Traceability in the Textile and Apparel industry: A Qualitative Approach to Defining them and Identifying the Adoption Reasons

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Abstract

This study delved into how companies perceive transparency, traceability, and sustainability, exploring their motivations for embracing these practices. Interviews with U.S. textile and apparel company executives revealed that while transparency and traceability are interconnected, they remain distinct concepts. Transparency relies on traceability, which plays a crucial role in sustainability efforts. External factors like consumer demand, various associations, and regulations heavily influenced transparency adoption, while traceability was primarily internally driven to validate sustainability claims and manage supply chain risks. Notably, regulations significantly impacted traceability, whereas consumers exerted greater pressure for transparency. These insights contribute to existing literature and could serve as variables for future quantitative research. Additionally, the findings offer guidance for policymakers aiming to implement effective transparency and traceability policies.

Keywords: Sustainability, transparency, traceability

How to Cite:

Bari, M. & Jin, B. E., (2024) “Supply Chain Transparency and Traceability in the Textile and Apparel industry: A Qualitative Approach to Defining them and Identifying the Adoption Reasons”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17337