Progress 09/01/05 to 07/31/09
Outputs
Production of textiles, apparel, and footwear involves international sourcing and trade on a scale unmatched by any other consumer product. As manufacturers have extended their supply chains, a range of problems have emerged and raised questions about the responsibilities businesses have for the well-being of people and the environments in the producing countries. New divisions for social responsibility within multinational companies have been developed to address these issues. Yet, neither under-graduate nor graduate program curricula in apparel and textiles have fully integrated the work of industry professionals in these new divisions. The goal of this project was to develop a core set of Internet-based post-baccalaureate courses and learning materials focused on Social Responsibility in Textile, Apparel, and Footwear Industry Supply Chains, for joint delivery to master's students in apparel and textile programs at three institutions. Three specific objectives were to: (1) Develop a core set of three Internet based courses providing competencies for socially responsible textile, apparel, and footwear industry supply chain management, (2) Develop a portfolio of four to nine multi-media case studies incorporating multinational perspectives on social responsibility in textile, apparel, and footwear industry supply chains, and (3) Test delivery and begin assessing outcomes of the courses at the three partner institutions (University of Delaware, Colorado State University, and Cornell University). In meeting Objective 1, we developed 45 learning goals for the courses based on interviews with industry professionals and leaders of nongovernmental and labor organizations involved with social responsibility. We developed course syllabi for 10, 1-credit courses, each focused on a particular relevant topic. The Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation at Kansas State University developed and administered an online survey of industry experts to review the importance of the objectives of the courses and the extent the objective would be met by planned activities. To meet Objective 2, we developed all new learning materials for each of the 10 courses. In addition, three of the grant's PI's (Dickson, Eckman, and Loker) authored a textbook encompassing the breadth of the course offerings under this grant. We also wrote 13 case studies for use in the courses. Finally, we recorded interviews with 14 individuals and various factories and then edited them into 43 videos to augment lectures. To meet Objective 3, we taught all 10 courses. The University of Delaware's division of Professional and Continuing Studies and its award winning UDOnline platform supported delivery of the courses and facilitated enrollment of students from all three institutions. All 10 courses were assessed to determine extent of student learning. PRODUCTS: To meet objective 1, we developed 45 learning goals for the courses based on interviews with industry professionals and leaders of nongovernmental and labor organizations involved with social responsibility. Next we developed course syllabi for 10, 1-credit courses, each focused on a particular topic associated with social responsibility in textile, apparel, and footwear supply chains. The Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation at Kansas State University created an online survey of industry experts to review the importance of the objectives of the courses and the extent the objective would be met by planned activities. To meet objective 2, In preparation for teaching the 10 courses, we developed all new learning materials including the following: narrated PowerPoint lectures (seven to 10 lectures per course) A textbook providing background reading for all courses, reading worksheets to guide reading and engage students in critical thinking about the readings (one to four worksheets per course), questions for threaded online discussions among students and the instructor to discuss course content, integrating and building on current and previous course material, adding new/diverse perspectives, and stimulating thought and further discussion (four to five discussions per course), and proposition statement assignments to recommend strategies for effecting change in the apparel industry (one per course). Three of the grant's PI's authored a textbook that was published in February 2009 and was used for the Spring 2009 courses. The contents of Social Responsibility in the Global Apparel Industry include foundation material encompassing the breadth of the course offerings under this grant and its voice for change reflects the courses' spirit and purpose. We also wrote 13 case studies for use in the courses. Finally, we recorded interviews with 14 individuals and various factories and then edited them into 43 videos to augment lectures. Most videos are 3 to 5 minutes long. To meet objective 3, the Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation at Kansas State University developed 10 online surveys to measure the extent of students' perceived abilities in 45 key content areas covered in the 10 courses. We developed 10 course websites on WebCT on the UDOnline server. We redeveloped the course websites on SAKAI when the University of Delaware switched to that learning management system. Cornell University students enrolling in the courses were provided small scholarships to cover fees to intake them into the UDOnline system. The University of Delaware created a graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business that includes the ten courses. UD also created a brochure and website to use in marketing the certificate. OUTCOMES: A total of 162 students have gained advanced competencies for socially responsible textile, apparel, and footwear industry supply chain management by enrolling in the 10 courses created in the project, five of which were taught twice during the funding period. The breakout of enrollment among the 3 institutions is as follows: University of Delaware-111, Cornell University-42, and Colorado State University-9. An online survey developed and administered by the Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation at Kansas State University measured the extent of students' perceived abilities in 45 key content areas covered in the 10 courses. Students agreed or strongly agreed that they have obtained the expected competencies in all 45 content areas. In addition to quantitative ratings of perceived abilities, open-ended responses were obtained from students regarding strategies they would use to improve the handling of problems related to human rights, labor standards, and working conditions, or the environment in the apparel supply chain. All students providing responses demonstrated they had gained knowledge appropriate for handling these problems. As well, the survey measured the usefulness of the various course resources (e.g., lectures, readings, discussions) and students agreed or strongly agreed that all were useful. The 10 courses developed in the project have been embedded into the curricula at the University of Delaware and are continuing to be taught on a regular basis. Three of the courses are required in UD's Master of Science in Fashion Studies. All 10 courses are required in a graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business that is open to graduate students and upper-level undergraduates across campus. As well, the certificate allows direct enroll from students who are otherwise not enrolled at the University of Delaware. Three of the courses developed in the project have been embedded into the curricula at Cornell University and are continuing to be taught on a regular basis. Loker and Jirousek will offer Sustaining Global Apparel Supply Chains, Environmentally Responsible Apparel Production, and Re-Designing Green Apparel once each year. These courses together have been approved by Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design to fulfill its ethics course requirement. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: We made two presentations to the International Textile and Apparel Association to disseminate project activities. We also published five summary documents and sample learning activities in a handbook for educators teaching on sustainability. We developed a website that shared information about the project and provided instructions for students enrolling in the courses from each of the three institutions involved. UD developed a website and brochure to share information about the graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business, including how to apply for admission and other necessary information. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The 10 courses continue to be updated and refined and new learning materials created. After we had taught each course for the first time, lectures, assignments, and support documents were revised to clarify assignments, modify materials for compatibility with new learning management software, condense the courses from a 5 week to a 4 week format, take advantage of instructor knowledge gained about online teaching, and update content to incorporate new readings. As well, a 2009 trip to Uzbekistan to study textile producers and artisans enabled the collection of data that will provide the foundation of case studies on cultural traditions and government policies affecting textile production in a centrally planned economy; one case study will be written for each of the two modules. Furthermore, new contacts are continually being made and will be incorporated into the courses in the future. For example, the corporate responsibility director from lululemon, an active sportswear firm headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. will work with Loker in Fall 2009 to develop a case study on the company's initiative to find innovative, environmentally responsible strategies for its fabric and unsold apparel waste.
Impacts
At least three students are carrying out research as a result of participation in the courses, including one PhD student at Cornell University, one Dean's Scholar at the University of Delaware, and a UD honors student who has conducted research on public reporting of CSR in the apparel industry. Two Dean's Scholar students at UD have created customized majors that include the 10 courses. Four students from UD have worked with major apparel brands and a nongovernmental organization as interns as a result of their participation in the courses One student from UD is in the process of starting a new business offering socially responsible and sustainable apparel products. Among the 13 students pursuing the graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business at UD, four are currently working in the apparel industry; they report using the knowledge gained on a regular basis in their jobs. We have expanded and strengthened relationships with industry, receiving media coverage from Women's Wear Daily, invitations to speak to industry groups, and a targeted RFP for consulting work. Dickson is receiving Apparel Magazine's Educator of the Year award for 2009 for impacts she has had on the field regarding social responsibility. The project received an award from the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) Mid-Atlantic Region in the Institutional Partnership category.
Publications
- Dombek-Keith, K., & Loker, Suzanne (2009). Clothing care calculator: An interactive tool to evaluate environmental impact. In Liz Parker & Marsha Dickson (Eds.), Sustainable fashion: A handbook for educators (pp. 38-40). London: Labour Behind the Label.
- Dickson, Marsha, Loker, Suzanne, & Eckman, Molly (2009). Social responsibility in the global apparel industry. New York: Fairchild Books.
- Dickson, Marsha, & Eckman, Molly (2008). Media portrayal of voluntary public reporting about corporate social responsibility performance: Does coverage encourage or discourage ethical management Journal of Business Ethics, 83, 725-743.
- Katz, Jeff, Higgins, Eric, Dickson, Marsha, & Eckman, Molly (2008). The impact of external monitoring and public reporting on business performance in a global manufacturing industry. Business & Society, 20(10), 1-22.
- Dickson, Marsha, Eckman, Molly, Higgins, Eric, Katz, Jeff, & Lally, Anne (March 1, 2005). Public reporting about sweatshops: Media portrayal of social performance and associated impacts on financial performance. Center for Responsible Business. Working Paper Series. Paper 25. http://repositories.cdlib.org/crb/wps/25
- Dickson, Marsha (2008). Educating apparel industry professionals. Labor is not a commodity: A collaborative space for international labor rights solidarity. Available at http://laborrightsblog.typepad.com
- Dickson, Marsha, Loker, Suzanne, & Eckman, Molly (2009). Collaborating across universities and industry to offer online educational opportunities for social responsibility. In Liz Parker & M. Dickson (Eds.), Sustainable fashion: A handbook for educators (pp. 237-243). London: Labour Behind the Label.
- Dickson, Marsha, Loker, Suzanne, & Eckman, Molly (2009). Book summary: Social responsibility in the global apparel industry. In Liz Parker & Marsha Dickson (Eds.), Sustainable fashion: A handbook for educators (pp. 92-93). London: Labour Behind the Label.
- Loker, Suzanne (2009). E-clips [http:eclips.cornell.edu] A video clip database including socially responsible apparel businesses. In Liz Parker & Marsha Dickson (Eds.), Sustainable fashion: A handbook for educators (pp. 125-127). London: Labour Behind the Label.
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