How Has the Fair Trade Movement Impacted the UK Clothing and Textile Industry - Research Proposal Example

HOW HAS THE FAIR TRADE MOVEMENT IMPACTED THE UK CLOTHING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRY? al affiliations Word Count: 2600 1. INTRODUCTION The impact of Fair Trade Foundation has been felt in Africa, South America, Caribbean region, Papua New Guinea, Asia, and Central America. The regions are known producers of cotton among other cash crops, which is the most important fibre in the textile and clothing industry. The fair trade system has an integral presence in UK that influences how business is conducted. The movement seeks to empower producers to partner with traders and retailers in the UK market. With the increasing demand for customer guarantee on products, Fair Trade Foundation vows to license and certify independent traders. UK industry stands to gain from the FAIRTRADE Mark that aims that raising awareness to the public as a way of creating a platform for fair trade. 1.1 Background The research aims to highlight the impact of Fair Trade Movement to the UK textile and clothing industry. Mass garment production in UK has not been possible due to slow momentum among manufacturers and retailers. The industry has not recovered from years of decline despite domestic production becoming highly striking to retailers. The industry is faced with fast changing macroeconomic challenges due to increased labour and freight charges from overseas producers. Creating textile and clothing brands in the British market is feasible but the industry has not yet negotiable for favourable partnerships and collaborations with suppliers and retailers. Once the collaborations are established, the UK textile and clothing industry must cement a relationship with buyers. UK textile and clothing industry has for long worked on establishing partnerships and create a network with consumers. The movement seeks to pursue the ambition of delivering profound impact for all producers in UK. UK textile and clothing industry stands to gain in terms of shopping and better campaign for products with Fair Trade trademarked products. The UK textile and clothing industry has continued to promote itself globally as a source of products for overseas retailers. Striking a good deal will require a platform where the producer is protected from malice in terms of loss of intellectual property in other developed and developing nations. 1.2 ProblemStatement The textile and clothing industry has endured years of trade decline and possible breach of its trademark. There are no real partnerships in the UK retail-manufacturing supply chain, and the industry must have a body for rebuilding it if mass manufacturing is to be restored in UK. The domestic textile and manufacturing has not kicked off while the industry and government have not yet established international collaboration. Awareness for British brands has not been influential, and the concerns about protecting the UK intellectual property in the foreign market cannot be ignored. The industry is looking for ways to remain competitive and sustain customer demand for products manufactured in Britain. Context and Research Questions 2.1 Objectives The central objective of this research is to find out the impact of Fair Trade Movement to the UK textile and clothing industry. The aim is advanced further through the following objectives; i. To explore that it means to have FAIRTRADEmark on UK textile and clothing products ii. To find out the extent Fair Trade trade-offs can benefit UK textile and clothing within the domestic and international market iii. To determine the nature of criticism facing fair trade movement and how it can affect textile and clothing industry in UK iv. To identify economic benefits associated with trade-offs that result from the trade movement in the clothing and textile texture 2.2 Research Questions The explorative and descriptive study targets at tackling the following questions to highlight the impact of Fair Trade Foundation on UK textile and clothing industry; i. What are the effects of Fair Trade Foundation on UK textile and clothing products? ii. What cushion can the foundation provide to prevent unethical consumption of textile and clothing materials? iii. How can the Fair Trade Foundation address the looming decline in domestic textile and clothing market? 2.3 Significance/justification The industry needs decent working conditions for workers, legal relations, and terms of traders between producers and retailers. The industry requires a lobbying body that can create partnerships and boost the awareness among retailers and traders. The Fair Trade movement offers trade-offs that can create economic benefit for the textile and clothing industry. The UK textile and clothing industry must understand the trade-offs to understand the influence that Fair Trade brings in its capacity as a business movement and the potential boost the economy in extension. 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW Nicholls (2010) established the mandate of Fair Trade as the organization that could assist the commerce industry to achieve virtuous economics. The descriptive research highlighted the growing concerns for labelling of Fair Trade goods. Fair Trade movement works with existing organizations as an agent of entrepreneurship to bring the transformation in the supply chain. According to Nicholls (2010), the function role of Fair Trade is to establish a reconnection between consumers and producers for Fair Trade goods. The direct effect of Fair Trade in creating a link between end users and manufacturers has been felt in United Kingdom textile industry. The textiles with Fair Trademarks have penetrated the market and are now sold in the supermarkets. Nicholls perspective was limited to the economic impact of Fair Trade Movement. Fair Trade has defined criteria for responsible business practices for member organizations (Moore, Slack, and Gibbon, 2008). An explorative study found out that the work for the U.K Fair Trade organizations is to seek the criteria for conducting business. Not only has the process changed the textile and clothing SMEs procure and sell products to retailers and supermarkets, but also it has a created a fair environment for old and budding fashion proprietors. The notion of sound business practice would later form a foundation for research on sustainable consumption by Goworek et al. (2012). According to Goworek et al. (2012), the consumers in UK have limited awareness on how they should consume fashion products. Fair Trade came to introduce a pro-environment behaviour. The retailers in the textile and clothing industry could produce, maintain, and dispose of clothes through defined sustainable practice. The qualitative research established that an organization could persuade its subsidiary firms to change the way the ultimate end user’s consumers and use their products. The fashion industry now dominates the retail business, but there is a worldwide economic crisis. Pookulangara and Shephard (2013) embarked on an exploratory study to analyze the demand for fashion products among consumers. Fast fashion is losing its appeal due to changing perception among consumers. The study established that slow fashion garments are on the increase, but that could initiate a crisis. Bezençon and Blili (2009) argue that Fair Trade has shifted its attention to the European Union with the aim of increasing competitiveness, fairness, solidarity, and justice in selling garments and raw materials to customers. The UK textile and clothing industry is subject to Fair Trade principles and their engagements and strategies to reach out to customers must be sound. There is an increasing trend where disadvantaged workers, producers and consumers in European nations are cushioned from unfair trading conditions and denial of rights. According to Hartlieb and Jones (2009), Fair Trade has introduced ethical labelling as a way of reducing the paradoxes in the UK textile and clothing industry. The study aimed at establishing the role of ethical labelling in the UK market given that sustainable and consumption had been embraced in all production channels. Not only does the practice increase the visibility for the labelled products but also it avails them to the end users. According to the qualitative study, the Fair Trade had established the role of human values in the supply chain and distribution channel in the textile industry among others. The survey utilized 15 UK initiatives to determine if the labels have any impact on the management sale of the fashion products. The analysis wanted to assess the potential of Fair Trade ethical labelling in the UK market for textile and clothing products (Hartlieb and Jones, 2009). While the study affirmed that ethical labelling was crucial, the communication between consumers and producers is also important. Bruce and Daly (2011) acknowledged that the apparel and textile industry is dynamic. The study aimed at establishing ways that apparel and textile firms could add value to the challenging supply chain in UK. The short lifecycle, low predictability, increased impulse buying, and volatility could change consumer behaviour and the way producers and retailers conduct themselves. Bruce and Daly (2011) research revealed that consumers in the UK industry could do away with high costs and luxury garments leading to disturbance of the supply chain. A case study was used to address the market conditions and prompt for a company that could help firms achieve quick response and increase demand and bargain for their apparels and textiles. Fernie and Sparks (2009) argued that supply chain required power and dependence, but the question of control and decision-making posed a dilemma. Textile and clothing firms require an expertise in the supply chain channel to avoid becoming victims of coercive power. Their argument was anchored on the belief that individuals and firms required a body that would show them how to channel their products in the market. Pickles and Smith (2011) found out that European industry is facing delocalization and persistence challenges following the removal of quota trade in 2005. With European marketing becoming more liberalized, the trade policies, decisions and sourcing could pose a dilemma for many clothing industries. Goworek (2011) studied the notion of ethical clothing in the challenging UK market. Firms are required to established corporate social responsibility policies with respect to their garment sourcing and partnerships with suppliers. A case study of People Tree was used and the study arrived at the findings that Fair Trade manufacturers are supposed to engage in sustainable practices during sourcing and production. Niinimäki and Hassi (2011) also confirmed that sustainable production and consumption for textiles and clothing will bring a radical change in the industry. The design strategies among Fair Trade firms are susceptible to change. 3. Methodology and Data 3.1 Theoretical Framework for Research Methodology A description of the relationships between the research variables will require an approach that can put the research objectives into proper perspective. Due to the expansiveness of the research subject, an explorative and descriptive research design will be viable. The research will be supported by qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the context under which Fair Trade Foundation and UK textile and clothing industry can relate. The methodology will also entail an account of the study design, Interview protocol, data analysis framework, and sampling methods will be explained in detail in a bid to establish the relationship between research variables. 3.2 Surveying Process Quantitative and qualitative data collection approach will be used to understand the impact of Fair Trade Movement to the UK textile and clothing industry. The process will utilize surveys from sampled producers to collect valuable information from the field of study. The data collected will be subject to scrutiny and analysis to allow compilation of conclusions and recommendations. 3.3 Sampling The study will utilize a purposive sampling method to select random firms and individuals from UK textile and clothing industry and selected retailers. The selected respondents will be used for answering questionnaires and participating in interviews. The sampling method will also be utilized to select respondents from Fair Trade Foundation to help establish the link between the two fields of focus in this research. 3.4 Reliability and Validity Surveys will be used for data collection because they are valid and reliable. The method collect first-hand information from the respondents and reduces the level of bias in answering questions. The data collected for analysis regarding the impact of Fair Trade Foundation will accurate and fit for making conclusions and recommendations for UK textile and clothing industry. 3.5 Research Design The research project will use qualitative and quantitative research designs because of the complexity of the subject area. The study designs complement each other, and that leads to the creation of a reliable study. The in-depth knowledge used will be collected through interviews and questionnaires from human participants. The study design will also produce a reliable representative sample. 3.6 Data Analysis Framework The relevant data collected will be analyzed to form a basis for making conclusions and recommendations for the study. The study will utilize SPSS to analyse data collected from the field of study. SPSS software will sort information after which careful evaluation of the findings will be done in relations to the research questions, objectives, and study concepts. Seeking explanations for the relationship between Fair Trade Movement and UK textile and clothing industry will call for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The study will require numerical data that will analyse and use for arriving at explanations and responding to the research questions posed. 3.7 The Profile of Respondents The study will utilize both existing and upcoming textile and clothing firms in UK to know the changes needed in the industry. The study will get information in Fair Trade Foundation regarding its mandate in the UK textile and clothing industry. Using textile and clothing firms and Fair Trade Foundation will increase the accuracy and relevance of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations made at the end of the study. 3.8 Problems and Limitations The concerns in the textile and clothing industry are constantly changing while the mandate for Fair Trade Foundation is susceptible to change. Ample time and effort will be required to complete the study and accommodate the following limitations: i. Some of the experts from the textile and clothing industry might not answer their questions within the scope of the interview schedules and questionnaires. ii. Time will be a limitation because of some of the respondents might not have adequate time to respond to research questions iii. The scale of the investigation will be limited to the textile and clothing industry and contribution of Fair Trade movement and will not utilize government agencies and departments charged administration and regulation of with textile and clothing industry. 3.9 Research Ethics The study aims to utilize human participants, and that calls for acknowledgment of the following research ethics: i. The research will adhere to informed consent rules from the selected organizations. The participants will be given the right to decline and guaranteed that information will be treated with confidentiality. ii. The expected duration, procedures, and prospective research benefits will be highlighted prior to data collection process. iii. The researcher will also observe with ethical obligations such as avoiding bias when presenting information collected in the field of study. iv. The researcher will seek consent from the authorities in the textile and clothing firms and Fair Trade Foundation before engaging with respondents. 4. Main Tasks And Timescales Targets/Project Milestones Commencement Completion Duration(weeks) i. Completion of 300 words summary of the research topic May 2015 May 2015 1 ii. 2500 word Research proposal May 2015 June 2015 2-4 iii. Data Collection Process June 2015 July 2015 2-3 iv. Data Analysis using SPSS July 2015 July 2015 2-3 v. Writing up of research draft and submit it to supervisor July 2015 Aug 2015 1-2 vi. Receive feedback and compile rewrites for the highlighted sections Aug 2015 Sep, 2015 2-3 vii. Prepare final copies of the project and submit them Sep, 2015 Sep, 2015 1 Conclusion The mandate of Fair Trade Foundation with respect to UK textile and clothing industry has not been explored in detail. Past studies have only established includes initiating trade policies for market entry, sustainable production and sourcing, ethical labeling, sound business practice as well as capacity to offer strategies to adjust to the fast-changing textile and clothing industry. The study will focus on the current crisis in the UK supply chain because there is no research that has covered the topic. Additionally, the benefits of Fair Trade Foundation to UK textile and clothing industry will be established through the research. Reference List Bezençon, V. and Blili, S. (2009). Fair Trade Managerial Practices: Strategy, Organisation and Engagement. Journal of Business Ethics, 90(1), pp.95-113. Bruce, M. and Daly, L. (2011). Adding value: challenges for UK apparel supply chain management – a review. Production Planning & Control, 22(3), pp.210-220. Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. (2009). Logistics & retail management. London: Kogan Page Ltd. Goworek, H. (2011). Social and environmental sustainability in the clothing industry: a case study of a fair trade retailer.Social Responsibility Journal, 7(1), pp.74-86. Goworek, H., Fisher, T., Cooper, T., Woodward, S. and Hiller, A. (2012). The sustainable clothing market: an evaluation of potential strategies for UK retailers.International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 40(12), pp.935-955. Hartlieb, S. and Jones, B. (2009). Humanising Business Through Ethical Labelling: Progress and Paradoxes in the UK. Journal of Business Ethics, 88(3), pp.583-600. Moore, G., Slack, R. and Gibbon, J. (2008). Criteria for Responsible Business Practice in SMEs: An Exploratory Case of U.K. Fair Trade Organisations.Journal of Business Ethics, 89(2), pp.173-188. Nicholls, A. (2010). Fair Trade: Towards an Economics of Virtue.Journal of Business Ethics, 92(S2), pp.241-255. Niinimäki, K. and Hassi, L. (2011).Emerging design strategies in sustainable production and consumption of textiles and clothing.Journal of Cleaner Production. Pickles, J. and Smith, A. (2011).Delocalization and Persistence in the European Clothing Industry: The Reconfiguration of Trade and Production Networks.Regional Studies, 45(2), pp.167-185. Pookulangara, S. and Shephard, A. (2013). Slow fashion movement: Understanding consumer perceptions—An exploratory study. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 20(2), pp.200-206. Read More