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Mixed Method Analysis of Apparel Corporations for Future Policy Development Lance Michael Cheramie University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

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Mixed Method Analysis of Apparel Corporations for Future Policy Development Lance Michael Cheramie University of Arkansas, Fayetteville University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2018 Mixed Method Analysis of Apparel Corporations for Future Policy Development Lance Michael Cheramie University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Public Policy Commons Recommended Citation Cheramie, Lance Michael, "Mixed Method Analysis of Apparel Corporations for Future Policy Development" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 2892. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2892 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Mixed Method Analysis of Apparel Corporations for Future Policy Development A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy by Lance M. Cheramie Nicholls State University Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences, 1992 University of Arkansas Master of Science in Human Environmental Sciences, 2006 August 2018 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. ______________________________ ______________________________ John Gaber, PhD Patrick J. Conge, PhD Dissertation Director Dissertation Director ______________________________ ______________________________ Mary M. Warnock, PhD Sarah Lewis, PhD Committee Member Committee Member Abstract This study focused on analyzing the gaps and inconsistencies in sustainability reporting by conducting a needs assessment on 14 apparel retailing corporations. An analysis for new public policies that would enhance the sustainable efforts by apparel retailing corporations were explored. Additionally, the efficiencies of current sustainable practices were analyzed and the current trends were reported. This study provided a comprehensive review of apparel retailing corporations’ interest towards governmental support in developing policies for efficient sustainability practices and for standardized reporting. A mixed methods approach was used with the primary focus being the evaluation of emission reduction, governmental influence, sustainability reporting, and climate change initiatives. Particularly, the concurrent nested/embedded research design was utilized in this research; whereby, one data collection phase incorporated the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data at the same time. This project utilized a quantitative method embedded within a predominately qualitative research design. The external changes related to sustainability policy were explained by the Punctuated Equilibrium Model. Some of the sustainability issues that corporations are currently focused on with legislators are the reduction of carbon emissions, energy efficiency, environmental protection, and clean energy. These are all forces that are punctuating a system to drive change in environmental policy. Policy makers have been made aware of the consequences of disastrous events that could disrupt the environment by interest groups, consumer advocacy groups, stake- holders and corporations. The on-going push for change by the aforementioned groups will drive policy makers into examining the consequences and creating new sustainability policy. Based on the study, the corporations analyzed indicated that there is a need for consistent and clear standards in sustainability reporting. The United States (US) government could devise a simple and straightforward program/policy that capitalizes on the main environmental concerns of corporations to be reported within their sustainability initiatives. In this regard, government support could be a motivation for participation by all apparel retailing corporations. Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my dissertation director Dr. John Gaber for his continuous support of my PhD study even while taking a position at another university. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Patrick Conge who stepped in as my on-campus dissertation director. They both conveyed a spirit of adventure with respect to my research and an enthusiasm toward to my topic. Besides my dissertation directors, I would like to thank the rest of my dissertation committee: Dr. Mary Warnock for being an advisor as well as a mentor, and Dr. Sarah Lewis for her insightful comments and efforts throughout this process. Their input encouraged me to widen my research from various perspectives. A special thank you goes to the Public Policy Program Director, Dr. Brink Kerr, for being a mentor/supporter throughout my studies. In addition, a thank you to Dr. Mahendran Balasubramanian whose encouragement, enthusiasm, and friendship throughout the writing of this dissertation was more valuable that one can imagine. I am grateful to my wife Elizabeth for her continuous inspiration, love and support throughout my doctoral coursework and research endeavors. To my daughters, Morgan and Kally, I hope that I have shown you that you can do anything that your heart desires through determination and perseverance. I am also grateful to my parents, other family members, and friends who have supported me spiritually throughout my dissertation and my life’s journey. Thanks for all your encouragement! Table of Contents Chapter Page I. Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 A. Context of the Problem ................................................................................1 B. Statement of the Purpose ..............................................................................4 C. Research Questions ......................................................................................4 D. Definitions ....................................................................................................5 E. Significances of the Study ............................................................................6 II. Review of Literature ................................................................................................9 A. Introduction ..................................................................................................9 B. The Merchandising Supply Chain ..............................................................10 C. Consumer Behavior ....................................................................................13 D. Retail ..........................................................................................................17 1. Nike, Inc. ................................................................................................17 2. Levi Strauss & Co. .................................................................................19 3. H&M ......................................................................................................26 E. Sustainability Organizations .......................................................................33 1. Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) .........................................33 2. Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) ....................................................34 3. The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) ....................................................35 4. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ...................................................37 F. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ......................................................41 G. The Relationship between Sustainability and CSR ....................................44 H. Punctuated Equilibrium Theory .................................................................46 I. Global Sustainability Initiatives ..................................................................51 J. Conclusion ...................................................................................................58 III. Research Methodology ..........................................................................................60 A. Introduction ................................................................................................60 B. Research Design .........................................................................................62 C. Data Collection ...........................................................................................63 D. Instruments and Data .................................................................................71 1. Online Sustainability Survey ..................................................................71 2. CDP Climate Change Request Form ......................................................72 3. Sustainability Reporting .........................................................................73 E. Data Analysis..............................................................................................73 IV. Analysis and Presentation of Data .........................................................................77 A. Introduction ................................................................................................77 B. Instruments and Data ..................................................................................77 1. Online Sustainability Survey ..................................................................77 2. CDP Climate Change Request Form ......................................................79 3. Sustainability Reporting .........................................................................80
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