Sierra, Bryant, Kaelan, Navi, Bethany
Our blog will be about the challenges that come along with managing employees in an international business context, particularly in the fashion industry and how employees are affected by fast fashion. We will make recommendations to the global manager looking to improve their businesses in the fashion industry.
Carrol, D. (2008). Catering to the Growing Multi-Cultural Market. Vision Monday. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.wwu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=10&sid=db6816a3-72e2-44f7-b115-6f638af3340f%40sdc-v-sessmgr01
This article talks about the spread of consumerism mainly within the fashion industry, caused by the growing number of minorities. These businesses are having to adopt new trends and styles in hopes they reach out to these minority groups. One particular trend the article mentions is creating a larger face span on eyewear so those minorities with larger facial structures would be willing to purchase. Designers are now having to essentially make assumptions or judgements on these ethnic groups and produce an item that they would find attractive. While this can seem positive because the designers are taking consideration of all the consumers. It is also dividing your customers into groups with the determining factor being ethnicity. A problem that can cause a variety of impacts from financial, to even a more serious ethical problem within the work environment. In the fashion industry it is hard to maintain a good standard of organizational behavior without affecting profits. From the article we know the growing multi-cultural market provides a lot of sales and can be very beneficial for companies. Many companies are now faced with the challenge to respect all cultures and make clothes that appeal to all rather than seem to be targeted towards a specific ethnic group.
Dudley, R., Devnath, A., & Townsend, M. (2013, November 2). The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-02-07/the-hidden-cost-of-fast-fashion-worker-safety
This article illustrates the impact fast fashion has on factory workers overseas. With the up and coming trend of fast fashion, distributors are pushed to produce at a higher rate, compromising worker safety in the process. This shows the ripple effect that has on the factory, less breaks lead to more accidents. The article also talks about how the product turnaround rate for the fast fashion makes factory workers feel at the mercy of big customers. Forcing overtime and unethical work practices to maintain a good standing with said customers. This would help the blog by providing examples of the “bullwhip” effect on factories from fast fashion institutions.
Essays, UK. (November 2018). Impact of Globalization on the Fashion Industry. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/cultural-studies/historical-background-of-fashion-industry-cultural-studies-essay.php?vref=1
This article talks about how jeans, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and sneakers were the preferred garments at the beginning of the 21st century. This phenomenon was made possible by the globalization of clothing manufacture, distribution, and retailing. As new communication channels arise from the internet, global marketers are using celebrities, artists, and sports players to influence their end consumer. Furthermore, as globalization increases competition within the fashion industry, designers for international brands are constantly creating new designs in hope to capture new customers to be ahead of the competition.
Ledezma, V. (2017, October 25). Globalization and Fashion: Too Fast, Too Furious. Retrieved from https://scholars.wlu.ca/luja/vol4/iss1/9/
This article discusses the effects globalization has had on the fashion industry, especially fast fashion and employees. During the 1900s fashion and trends became something that appealed to many and no longer just the upper class. In the 1980s as globalization began to rise, the demand for fashion trends grew by consumers and led to fast fashion which allowed for trendier clothes at a lower price. Fast fashion is the biggest result of globalization. Within fast fashion low wage workers are hired and sweatshops aren’t uncommon and since fast fashion sweatshops have grown. In part to globalization manufacturing can be outsourced, leading to sweatshops in countries were people make just a few dollars a day. The workers in sweatshops are faced with harmful chemicals, poor working conditions, and abuse from managers. Globalization has changed the fashion industry and the life of workers in foreign countries where work is outsourced.
Pedersen, E., Gwozdz, R., & Hvass, G. (2018). Exploring the Relationship Between Business Model Innovation, Corporate Sustainability, and Organisational Values within the Fashion Industry. Journal of Business Ethics, 149(2) 267-284. Retrieved from
https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.library.wwu.edu/article/10.1007/s10551-016-3044-7
This article is relevant to our topic because it talks about the importance of corporate sustainability perspectives in modern globalizing business models. Conventional business models in the fashion industry have demonstrated a lack of concern for both direct and indirect stakeholders in many firms. What’s more, the article talks about the rising conversation surrounding sustainability innovation and creating competitive advantage through unmatched customer value and contributing positively to the company, society, and environment while minimizing harm. Many fast fashion firms have manipulated globalizing communication technologies to cut corners and create fashion cheaper and faster. Meanwhile, innovative fashion companies have created entire industries towards combating this exact trend. Additionally, the article describes how online resale business models are emerging as trendy and creative ways to attract conscious consumers. This is an interesting component for managers looking to enter the fashion industry with a sustainable competitive edge. The information in this article gives a lot of context to our blog and how fashion managers can develop ethical management strategies for their value chain in an ever changing global atmosphere.