Information requirement in the transition towards a circular fashion industry

Authors Marja Exalto-Sijbrands, Pascal Ravesteijn
Published in Proceedings 34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change
Publication date 27 June 2021
Research groups Process Innovation and Information Systems
Type Lecture

Summary

Management of fashion (related) companies need to become convinced that circularity delivers positive financial results and incentives. This research aims to provide the first information requirement insights needed to enable the transition to a circular fashion industry. Due to easy access and abundant information ‘Jeans’ were selected as example item. Using the Design Science research approach the required information within in a closed loop supply chain (CLSC) in fashion was derived. Semi-structured interviews validated the CLSC information requirements derived from literature. Next, observations and additional literature findings supported the interview results. The outcomes show that information to support integration and collaboration of both: supply and recycle chain is necessary. Independently operating recycle organizations miss ‘central loop management’, ‘information integration’ and ‘a chain-common objective’ to successfully adopt circularity. The main bottlenecks found in relation to circularity are: ‘overlooking the customer as stakeholder’ and ‘a lack of chain integration’, this applies not only to jeans items. Therefore, the indicative study outcomes contribute to the body of knowledge of circular fashion value chain information requirements in general

On this publication contributed

Language English
Published in Proceedings 34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change
Key words circular industry, recycling, fashion, R-ladder, circular business model

Marja Exalto

Marja Exalto

Marja Exalto

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Process Innovation and Information Systems