Supply Chain Transparency in the Apparel and Food Industry

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Consumer demand for transparency
  • Definition of supply chain transparency
  • Relevant industry characteristics and developments
  • Scandals driving the need for information
• Practices to enable transparency
  • Tracking and tracing
  • Methods for analyzing supply chain sustainability
    • Life-cycle assessment
    • Higg index
• Approaches to communicate supply chain information to consumers
  • Product labeling
    • Current approaches
    • Consumer dissatisfaction
    • Evaluation criteria of green labels
    • Developments in the eco labeling landscape
  • Company dependent communication channels
    • Websites
    • Social media
  • Integrated solution for communicating transparency
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to analyze the concept of supply chain transparency (SCT) in the apparel and food industry, focusing on how companies can effectively communicate SCT to consumers. It investigates the tools and methods available for enabling SCT and evaluates different approaches for communicating this information to meet consumer demand.

• Consumer demand for transparency in the apparel and food industry
• Tools and methods for enabling supply chain transparency
• Approaches for communicating supply chain information to consumers
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of different communication methods
• Integration of methods for obtaining and communicating supply chain information

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by introducing the concept of supply chain transparency (SCT) and its growing importance in meeting modern consumer demands for information about product sourcing and production processes. It highlights the focus on the apparel and food industry due to the high demand for transparency in these sectors.
• Consumer demand for transparency: This chapter defines SCT from a marketing and consumer perspective, emphasizing the need for companies to understand and respond to consumer requests for information. It explores the industry characteristics and recent scandals that have driven this demand for transparency.
• Practices to enable transparency: This chapter examines tools and methods employed by producers to gather information and increase transparency within their supply chains. It analyzes tracking and tracing systems and discusses two methods for assessing supply chain sustainability: life-cycle assessment and the Higg Index.
• Approaches to communicate supply chain information to consumers: This chapter focuses on how companies can communicate SCT information to consumers. It analyzes the use of product labeling, company websites, and social media as communication channels. The chapter also examines the effectiveness of these methods in meeting consumer demand.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main focus of this thesis lies on supply chain transparency (SCT), particularly within the apparel and food industry. Key concepts explored include consumer demand for transparency, tools and methods for enabling SCT, and approaches for communicating SCT to consumers. The thesis emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer needs and effectively communicating relevant information about product sourcing and production processes.