A System Approach: Fast Fashion Supply Chain for Sustainability

The fast fashion industry is one of the most globalised and profitable. The success in industry has witnessed tremendous growth over the past few decades, offering consumers affordable and constantly changing clothing styles while maintaining cost efficiency. However, this success comes at a cost to society and the environment, as fast fashion companies prioritise low supply chain costs to meet consumer demands. The research problem focuses on sustainability issues to eliminate, reduce, or mitigate unsustainable practices within the firms in fast fashion supply chains.

The literature review explores the current state of fast fashion supply chains and their implications for sustainability. It investigates the various factors contributing to the environmental degradation, economic issues, and social challenges associated with the industry's practices. Numerous studies propose sustainable practices for the fast fashion industry; however, the proposed sustainable practices often fail to address the practical barriers faced by companies, multi-stakeholder's efforts, and multifactor context. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient in tackling the complex realities faced by various stakeholders, necessitating tailored solutions that can accommodate the unique circumstances and limitations of different companies.

A critical analysis shows a significant gap in terms of a systemic approach to enhance firms with sustainable supply chains, assist stakeholders in identifying leverage points within the fast fashion supply chain, and propose a systemic problem-solving. There is a lack of specific guidance for decision-making and recommendations on where and how to intervene to achieve the most significant impact on sustainability. The complexity of the industry further complicates matters with its diverse business models, varied supply chain strategies, and policies among companies. Without a more holistic and integrated approach, the industry may struggle to navigate these complexities and drive meaningful change toward sustainability.

To address this gap, this research aims to build a systemic framework to assess sustainability and identify key leverage points within a supply chain in the fast fashion industry, supporting diverse companies to contribute to sustainable practices. A theoretical framework to identify these leverage points is essential, and Donella Meadows' 12 leverage points offer a promising approach for applying in the fast fashion industry. Researchers and practitioners can systematically analyse the fast fashion supply chain using this framework and find strategic intervention points to drive transformative change.

The research design involves developing a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chains in the fast fashion industry from a systems perspective. The methodology for data collection will vary across stages, including extensive literature review, expert input through workshops, and case studies to test the framework's efficacy. Through iterative refinement, the framework will be continuously improved and adapted.

In conclusion, this research contributes to an enhanced understanding of sustainability issues in fast fashion supply chains. By adopting a systemic perspective and leveraging transformative interventions, the industry can align with sustainable development goals and drive positive change. The proposed framework offers an alternative method for companies to transition toward a more sustainable future while acknowledging the dynamic nature of fast fashion. Continuous improvement and adaptation are crucial for a sustainable and responsible industry.