Corporate Social Responsibility in the Textile and Apparel Industry: Barriers and Challenges

Corporate social responsibility seems to be becoming crucial in the management strategies of all industries. The paper presents the importance of corporate social responsibility activities in the textile and apparel industry. The textile and apparel industry has been chosen because in many cases the production is being transferred to developing countries. This means that it has a significant influence for the global economy and global management. The main aim of this study is to investigate the barriers and challenges to corporate social responsibility in the textile and apparel industry. The paper analyzes the structure of this industry in the global context and examines areas of the textile and apparel industry such as labour conditions, human and workers’ rights, and environmental issues, each of which is especially sensitive in terms of CSR actions. O n the basis of those social and environmental aspects, there have been recognized barriers and challenges of CSR. The main barrier observed to the introduction of CSR rules in the textile and apparel industry is the lack of the control caused by geographical distance. The paper also shows other obstacles to the implementation of CSR activities and suggests steps that need to be taken to overcome them.