Rethinking Sustainable Supply Chain through Relational Learning

Existing literature on textile supply chains has highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable practices in their operational activities, identifying institutional pressures and digital transformation as the main drivers of sustainable change. However, supply chains should be studied as relational networks capable of involving a multitude of actors. Sustainable outcomes, therefore, depend on the collaborative efforts within a network of interdependent firms. This book conceptualizes the supply chain as a network of relationships, shifting the focus from the individual to the collective. Achieving sustainable changes in the textile industry becomes the responsibility of an entire supply chain, involving multinational corporations, manufacturers, suppliers, and subcontractors.

To reconceptualize the supply chain as a relational network, this book adopts a theoretical approach rooted in relational sociology, which centers its analysis on social relationships rather than isolated individuals or social structures. The Prato textile district in Italy, the largest textile hub in Europe, provides the basis for the empirical study. The book will be of great interest to scholars and students of supply chain management, sustainability, the fashion industry and relational sociology.

Adopts a relational perspective to understand sustainable supply chain in the textile industry Uses interviews and data from SMEs located in the Prato textile district in Italy Proposes a conceptual, actor-driven model for the prerequisites to sustainable supply chain

Autorentext

Anna Marrucci is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Milan, Italy, and Adjunct Professor at the Kent State University (Florence Campus) where she teaches International Business and Principles of Management. Her research focuses on two main areas: the role of relational learning in territorial contexts characterized by strong resistance to change and the role of places in achieving sustainable outcomes. Her focus on relational dynamics is grounded in her commitment to relational sociology, which drives her to examine relationships from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Costanza Dasmi is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Florence, Italy, and Adjunct Professor at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) where she teaches Consumer Behavior and Retailing to international students. Her research interests include sustainable consumption, CSR communication and sustainable behavior. She has published book chapters and articles for international publishers and journals.

Inhalt

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Rethinking the Supply Chain through a Relational Lens.- Chapter 3: From Relational Sociology to Relational Learning.- Chapter 4: Textile Supply Chain.- Chapter 5: Sustainability in the Prato Textile District.- Chapter 6: Exploring Sustainability Dynamics: A Qualitative Approach.- Chapter 7: The relevance of Relational Learning in Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: A Quantitative Approach.- Chapter 8: Conclusions and Future Perspectives.