Merchandise Management BP310

Bachelor of Fashion

Major Project (A)

Research Booklet (Assessment Item 2 & 3)

Boru Lai
S3527895

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Contents
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Title ............................................................................................................................................ 5
2.0 Introduction and Rationale .......................................................................................... 6
3.0 Research Aim and Objectives ........................................................................................ 7
3.1 Aim .................................................................................................................................. 7
3.2 Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 7
4.0 Literature Review .............................................................................................................. 8
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 8
4.2 Sustainability Fashion Business Model..................................................................... 9
4.2.1 Sustainability Fashion Business Model and Transparency .......................... 10
4.2.2 Sustainability Fashion Business Model and Sustainability Supply-Chain .. 10
4.2.3 Sustainability Fashion Business Model Innovations...................................... 11
4.3 Transparency .............................................................................................................. 12
4.3.1 Critical of Transparency ..................................................................................... 13
4.3.2 Stakeholders ........................................................................................................ 14
4.3.3 Transparency Framework .................................................................................. 15
4.4 Sustainability Supply Chain ...................................................................................... 17
4.4.1 Sustainability Supply Chain and Transparency.............................................. 17
4.4.2 How to Improve Sustainable Supply Chain..................................................... 18
4.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 19
5.0 Framework ....................................................................................................................... 19
6.0 research concepts/Proposed Research Design (for Major B) ................................. 21
6.1 Research Concepts .................................................................................................... 21
6.1.1 Qualitative Research .......................................................................................... 21
6.1.2 Quantitative Research ........................................................................................ 21
6.1.3 Secondary Data ................................................................................................... 22
6.1.4 Primary Data ........................................................................................................ 22
6.1.5 Data Triangulation ............................................................................................... 23
6.1.6 Validity................................................................................................................... 23
6.2 Proposed Research Design ...................................................................................... 23
6.2.1 Information Required .......................................................................................... 23
6.2.2 Data Collection Techniques............................................................................... 24
6.2.3 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 24
6.2.4 Access................................................................................................................... 25

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 6.2.5 Ethical Procedures .............................................................................................. 25
7.0 Gantt Chart and Budget................................................................................................. 26
7.1 Gantt Chart for Research Project............................................................................. 26
7.2 Budget for Research Project .......................................................................................... 27
8. Reference List ................................................................................................................... 28
9. Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 30
Appendix I: Sustainable Fashion matrix ....................................................................... 30
Appendix II: Interview Questions for experts ................................................................ 30
Appendix III: Interview Questions for Focus Group ..................................................... 31
Appendix IV: Survey ......................................................................................................... 31
Appendix V: National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) -
Updated May 2015 ............................................................................................................ 33
Assessment Item 3 - Reflective Journey ........................................................................... 34

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ABSTRACT

The fashion industry needs a sustainable business model due to the negative environmental

and social impacts brought by the tradition or fast fashion business model in the past

decade. Supply chain sustainability is one of the important aspects that need to be

considered in the new business model. Transparency plays a key role in the operation of the

organization, particularly in the supply chain. This research discusses transparency in the

sustainable supply chain of fashion business. It starts with a literature review of the concepts

and the relationships of a sustainability fashion business model, transparency and

sustainable supply chain. It uncovers transparency as a notable characteristic in this new

model. However, hyper-transparency or radical transparency was considered as a crux for

maintaining a trustworthy relationship between organizations and stakeholders, because it

might be lead to a harmful influence. This research also proposes a framework for the

transparent level. It compares the opinions from the experts and the focus groups who are

working for new fashion model companies and traditional fashion companies, as well as the

opinions from two groups of consumers. Moreover, a research design including data

collection method is provided. It contributes a study of what level of transparency in the

supply chain can maintain a stable trustworthy relationship with stakeholders for the

sustainable fashion industry. The limitation of the research is that it focuses on the economic

and social impacts of the transparent supply chain, it does not have further research on the

environmental impacts. Moreover, the sample size is not broad enough.

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TITLE

A study of transparency in the sustainable

supply chain of the fashion business model

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2.0 INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE

To date, the fast production movement is observed on undermining sustainability. Therefore

a sustainability system has had rising attention. (Jung & Jin, 2016) Organizations that

embrace sustainability into its supply chain operation are more responsible and accountable

in the environment and society. (Singh & Trivedi) There is no doubt that fashion industry is

one of the fastest production industries. Hence, many fashion companies see sustainability

as a chance to strengthen the brand names and differentiate the products in order to serve

in the competitive market. (Ho & Choi, 2012) The fashion industry was one of the first

industries to prioritize a sustainable supply chain, but the approach to achieve sustainability

has been changed. (Khurana & Ricchetti, 2016) In addition, the Internet has empowered

consumers to have a better ability to understand the cost and the process behind the

products.(Singh, 2015) Therefore, there is an increasing demand for supply chain

transparency, and it is part of the supply chain sustainability. The reason is that transparency

can lead to a better closely knit supplier-buyer relationship, and it is elementary practice to

develop a responsible management and organization. (Parris, Dapko, W. Arnold & Arnold,

2015) However, it is widely argued that transparency might be harmful to reputations of the

organization and cause financial loss.

Consequently, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship of

the sustainable fashion business model, transparency and supply chain sustainability.

Furthermore, it intends to critically analyze the impacts of transparency based on the view of

internal stakeholders-managers, employees and external stakeholders upon target

consumers. Eventually, the major contribution of this research is to provide a better strategy

of transparency on the supply chain.

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3.0 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES
3.1 Aim

This research aims to develop a better sustainable supply chain for a sustainable fashion

business model. It particularly explores a balanced transparency level in the sustainable

supply chain.

3.2 Objectives

The above aim will be accomplished by fulfilling the following research objectives:

(1) To identify the two key aspects in a sustainable fashion business model: transparency

and sustainable supply chain,

(2) To analyse the innovative areas in a sustainable fashion business model. Most

importantly, how the advantages and disadvantages of transparency impact stakeholders.

Furthermore, what factors can improve a sustainable supply chain.

(3) To evaluate whether a transparent sustainable supply chain helps to grow sustainable

fashion business model.

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ASSESSMENT ITEM 3 - REFLECTIVE JOURNEY

In the past 12 weeks, I have learnt a lot from Major A project. Even though it was the most
difficult assignment I ever had. First of all, this whole journey improved my study abilities.
Besides, it built up my skills of thinking, researching and writing for my future career.

At the first stage of the project was researching the topic. Once I read the three themes in
the assignment guideline, I really interested in business models and I thought it would not be
too difficulty to write, but I got stuck when I started researching. I was thinking to focus on
new business models, but I found out that many new business models was transferred or
improved from old business models. Besides, I was planning to do peer to peer business
model which is a popular trend model nowadays. When I discussed this topic with my
mentor, he told me this topic might be too small, so I started look at different perspectives of
business models. Since then, I realized it is important to think broadly, because I can gain
more knowledge and thinking in a dimensional way.

At the second stage, I started doing the research when I decided to write my topic about the
sustainability fashion business model. I really appreciated that we had a library session. It
was very helpful. I learnt how use to key word research method, and how to search for
relative information, all this research skills I did not know before. In addition, the project
required a lot of information, when I could not find the information via the fashion and textile
course websites, I accessed library via business and law course browse to search more
articles.

The third stage was a key stage in my journey. Writing is my weakness, and I never learnt
how to write an academic essay, so I started writing literature review as the way I used to
write. By that time, I got my assignment feedback from another course, and I was very upset
about the result. However, it made me realize that it is extremely important to write
academically and express correctly, otherwise my Major A will not achieve a good result. I
turned to my mentor and the teachers from student services for help, I was grateful for their
patience of teaching me. In addition, my reading skills had a big improvement from reading
all the articles.

To finding the aim of my topic was biggest difficulty at the last stage, the three in the
literature review themes were related in some way, but I was not sure how to narrow the
topic down and where the topic should do. Therefore, I searched similar topics of these three
areas on Internet, and read the abstracts of all the articles again. Finally, I found out that
there was a gap might be suitable for further research in Major B.

In conclusion, the research skills and writing skills that I learnt from Major A will be helpful for
my Major B project, for example, how to research for the background of companies or
interviewees, and how to write a proper and convincing finding essay. Furthermore, those
skills make me have a well preparation for my future careers, either in general marketing or
in fashion industry. In addition, from reading all the articles, it made me have a deeper
understanding of the current fashion industry situation and the future of fashion business.
There definitely will have more challenges in future study or in careers, but with the
experience from Major A journey, I have the faith I can overcome them.

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