Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Authors: Fahima Islam (West Virginia University) , Md Rokibul Hasan Shohan (West Virginia University) , Debanjan Das (West Virginia University)
Bangladesh's textile and apparel industry, the world's second-largest, has achieved remarkable growth, with Ready-made Garment (RMG) exports reaching $47.39 billion in 2023. However, this growth poses environmental and social sustainability challenges. The study explores sustainability initiatives, motivations, and barriers faced by Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers, employing institutional theory as the framework. Six semi-structured interviews with senior professionals revealed key sustainability themes across the regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive pillars. These include conscious sourcing, integration of modern technology, sustainability certifications, compliance with regulations, improved working conditions, collaboration with stakeholders, economic living standards, and adoption of emerging trends. Participants highlighted challenges, including high investment costs, but acknowledged long-term profitability and enhanced competitiveness through sustainability. The findings offer valuable insights into sustainability practices, challenges, and opportunities, providing a roadmap for manufacturers, policymakers, and global stakeholders to foster sustainable growth in the apparel industry.
Keywords: Sustainable Supply Chain, Bangladesh Textile and Apparel Industry, Institutional Theory, Apparel Manufacturing
How to Cite: Islam, F. , Shohan, M. H. & Das, D. (2025) “Driving Sustainable Transformation: Insights from Bangladesh's Apparel Industry”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18910
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