How industry integration improves the eco-efficiency of the textile industry: The case of Qun-yi village in China

Abstract

During the formulation of policies related to China's Rural revitalization strategy in recent decades, industries (e.g., the textile industry) with high environmental restoration costs and low added value of social and economic benefits have been transformed or phased out to achieve eco-efficiency. In the policy implementation, a new self-organized social network of village committees, entrepreneurs, enterprises and villagers has been established to support village-level self-organization. Aiming to explore the nexus of industry integration and eco-efficiency for industry development in rural areas, we conducted a longitudinal single case study Qun-yi Village. In the evolution process from 1995 to 2022, the textile industry integration process of the Village was divided into three periods. We found that first comprehensive industrial integration characterized by increasing complex industry structures and blurred industry boundaries, has greatly improved eco-efficiency by reducing economic and environmental restoration costs and increasing output value. Second, a successful village-level self-organization featured by strong village committee leadership, participation of actors and perceived benefits significantly facilitate and moderate the process of industrial integration aiming for high eco-efficiency. This study provided important theoretical and policy insights into the industrial integration for high eco-efficiency in rural areas in developing countries from the perspective of village-level self-organization.