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Challenges and solutions of sustainable apparel product development: a case study of Eileen Fisher

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dc.contributor.authorCurwen, Lisa G., author
dc.contributor.authorSarkar, Ajoy, advisor
dc.contributor.authorPark, Juyeon, committee member
dc.contributor.authorGolicic, Susan, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T08:10:42Z
dc.date.available2013-09-01T08:10:42Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractThis paper reports on a case study of the product development experience of an apparel firm's sustainable sweater program. The three-fold purpose of this study is to document current challenges the firm experienced, discover product development strategies that were implemented in fulfilling its sustainable business goals, and determine the principles guiding the design team and its interaction within the upstream supply chain. The case company is Eileen Fisher, a brand name international women's fashion apparel firm which is committed to social and environmental initiatives. Data were collected from thirteen in-depth interviews conducted with members of the case company and its vendors. Secondary data analysis from the case company's website and archival records provided supplementary information. The qualitative data were analyzed with the use of NVivo9 software. The study identified five challenges encountered by the Eileen Fisher design team in developing its organic and fair trade cotton sweater program which include concerns with perceived value, process timing, quality standards, supplier capacity, and price. Corresponding solutions that were put into place include heightening creativity and innovation, optimizing timing and resources, interfacing hands-on "upstream", managing relationships responsibly and for the long term, and making trade-offs based on cost and values. Furthermore, the study identified five principles which guided the design team and its interaction within the upstream supply chain for sustainable design practices; they are the prerequisite of a company mandate, match of core values, gathering and diffusion of information, cross-functional organization to support sustainability initiatives, and the significance of the supply chain arrangement. This study hopes to provide guidance for apparel manufacturers and suppliers for surmounting the challenges facing product development of sustainable apparel products.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierCurwen_colostate_0053N_11212.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2012500199DEME
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/67990
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectsustainable design
dc.subjectproduct development
dc.subjectsustainability
dc.subjectsupply chain
dc.subjectapparel industry
dc.subjecteco-fashion
dc.titleChallenges and solutions of sustainable apparel product development: a case study of Eileen Fisher
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2013-09-01
dcterms.embargo.terms2013-09-01
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineDesign and Merchandising
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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