Social inclusion and the circular economy: The case of a fashion textiles manufacturer in Vietnam
File(s)
Author(s)
Clube, Rebecca KM
Tennant, Mike
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
There has been significant growth in interest in the circular economy (“CE”) concept as a transformative solution to the prevailing linear economy, helping to solve various economic, environmental and social challenges. Nevertheless, pertinent issues such as societal inclusion, well-being and equity remain peripheral in the contemporary CE debate. Fulfilling human needs has been recognised as a prerequisite for sustainable development and was implicitly and explicitly prevalent in parts of the seminal material on which the CE is based. However, the contemporary use of the concept by business has left it bereft of any convincing evidence that a CE will satisfy needs in a radically different way to the existing linear economy. As a result, there are few practical cases for business learning, and even fewer in a developing world context. This study explores a unique business venture implemented by a Vietnam-based denim manufacturer, which simultaneously tackles two key development challenges: The inclusion of vulnerable communities and sustainable resource use. The venture employs persons with disabilities and utilises textile by-products from the core production to produce a range of upcycled items (e.g., bags, cushion covers etc). This forms part of a broader company-wide social sustainability and CE strategy. We utilise Max-Neef's Human-Scale Development proposal as a lens explore how the venture can support need satisfaction of these employees while being environmentally sustainable. We seek to provide a compelling practical case to illustrate how social impact and circularity can be simultaneously enhanced at the micro-level.
Date Issued
2022-03
Date Acceptance
2021-06-21
Citation
Business Strategy and Development, 2022, 5 (1), pp.4-16
ISSN
2572-3170
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
4
End Page
16
Journal / Book Title
Business Strategy and Development
Volume
5
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2021 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the accepted version of the following article: Clube, R. K. M., & Tennant, M. (2021). Social inclusion and the circular economy: The case of a fashion textiles manufacturer in Vietnam. Business Strategy & Development, 1– 13, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.179
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000674835300001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Social Sciences
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Business
Environmental Studies
Business & Economics
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
circular economy
disabilities
Human-Scale Development
inclusion
sustainable development
PEOPLE
DISABILITIES
MODEL
NEEDS
SUSTAINABILITY
EMPLOYMENT
DESIGN
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-07-20