Seeking Sustainability in the Global Cotton Supply Chain: An Experiential Learning Opportunity by the Case Method

Abstract

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">The cotton supply chain is one of the most complex supply chains in the world, and stakeholders and consumers alike are demanding methods of measuring and reducing the environmental impact of textile products and the social responsibility of textile firms (Lindskog &amp; Roth, 2011). Graduates entering the workplace need to know and understand the complexity of the global supply chain and how a fiber, like cotton, interact within the complex supply chain to meet consumer’s demanding needs. Today’s professionals will be tasked with ensuring consumers’ needs are met while mitigating the environmental impact of the global apparel complex and demonstrating their social responsibility efforts. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to provide students with an opportunity to explore and understand cotton sourcing and cotton supply chain transparency through a leading textile focal company. This project, funded through a competitive grant from the <i>Importer Support Program</i> of the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated, was developed for students to 1) gain knowledge about cotton fiber; 2) understand how the quality of cotton fiber may impact the final product; 3) understand cotton industry and sustainability practices in different countries including U.S. and China; 3) select and apply the global supply chain framework to appreciate the complex interrelationships among supply chain partners; 4) explore global apparel supply chain transparency; and 5) make recommendations for appropriate future sourcing plans for the case company to achieve its sustainability goals.<o:p></o:p></span>