What motivates and inhibits Indian textile firms to embrace sustainability?

Anupriya Sharma,Sapna A Narula

doi:10.1186/s41180-020-0032-8

Anupriya Sharma, Sapna A Narula

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41180-020-0032-8

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Abstract

Our study identifies the motivations and barriers to pursue sustainability for textile firms in India and the impact of these factors on firm’s adoption of sustainable business practices. Our study is based on primary survey of 113 managers from textile firm who are responsible for taking decisions towards formulation of business policies, and drivers are the reasons why companies decide to pursue sustainable practices. Regression analysis shows that regulatory, market and economic factors are more significant in pushing firms to adopt sustainable practices, whereas initial cost of compliance is the biggest challenge in implementing these practices. The results of the study are extremely important in assisting firm managers in enhancing their understanding of factors for a successful environmental strategy and influencing them to embrace sustainability. The study also contributes to our understanding of environmental issues in textile supply chain and how it could be made environmentally more sustainable. Finally, implications to extend research on role of internal actors in the organisation in shaping and implementing environmental strategies are presented.

Highlights

Textiles and Apparel (T&A) sector is one of the most significant industrial sectors and plays a major role towards contribution to national economy, employment generation and exports in developing countries (Karthik and Gopalakrishnan 2014)
Leaving a research gap to understand the organizational issues across the multiple states in the second largest cotton producer of the world i.e. India. Our study addresses these gaps by assessing the nature and extent to which adoption of sustainable business practices are affected by drivers and barriers for the textile industry
Conclusion and managerial implications This research contributes to the empirical findings in the context of textile firms on drivers and barriers affecting adoption of environmentally sustainable practices

Summary

Introduction

Textiles and Apparel (T&A) sector is one of the most significant industrial sectors and plays a major role towards contribution to national economy, employment generation and exports in developing countries (Karthik and Gopalakrishnan 2014). Amongst the major exporters of Textile & Apparels (T&A) globally, the top 10 exporting countries enjoy a share of 72% in global T&A exports with China and Hong Kong maintaining the top position with 37% share, followed by India with a share of 5% in 2017. It is followed by Bangladesh, Germany, Italy, Vietnam and Turkey each having a share of 4% (Ministry of Textile, Annual report 2017–2018). The main environmental problem associated with textile

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