HomeProjectsCo-designing Innovation Pathways for the Transition from a Linear to an Ethical Circular Economy: The case of the Textile Industry in South India
Co-designing Innovation Pathways for the Transition from a Linear to an Ethical Circular Economy: The case of the Textile Industry in South India
Principal Investigator: Dr. Raghu Raman, Professor & Dean, School of Business, Amaravati, Amritapuri & Kochi, Director AmritaCREATE, Dr. Rimjhim Aggarwal , Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University
Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Rajesh Buch, Circular Economy Practice Lead at ASU’s Global Futures Lab & Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Dr. P. Balasubramaniam, Professor of Finance, School of Business, Coimbatore, Dr. P.K. Viswanathan, Principal & HoS, School of Business, Amritapuri
Other Investigators: Dr. Payel Das, Assistant Professor of Marketing, School of Business, Amaravati,
Dr.Tripti Basant (Research Scholar), School of Sustainability, Arizona State University; Ms. Urvashi Baid (Research Scholar), School of Business, Coimbatore, Dr. Nava Subramaniam, Professor and Dean, Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore.
Background & Motivation
The Indian textiles sector employs over 45 million people, contributing 4% to the GDP and 13% to the total exports. Despite its significance, the industry faces challenges such as declining domestic demand, competition from low-income countries, and environmental and labor concerns. This project aims to leverage the current crisis as an opportunity for transformation by researching circular business models and co-designing innovative pathways for transition to a circular economy.
Project Impact
This project targets the Tirrupur Knitwear Cluster (TKC), directly impacting over half a million people and indirectly serving one million people. The project will:
Produce knowledge on the environmental, economic, and social impacts of existing linear value chains.
Co-design ethical and sustainable circular economy business models with relevant stakeholders.
Promote awareness and scaling of viable circular economy business models to other apparel clusters.
Project Novelty
Our multidisciplinary approach emphasizes systemic changes and ethical considerations, leveraging the Indian team’s community ties and the US team’s global experience in circular economy projects. The project aims to foster stakeholder engagement, trust-building, and the development of resource-efficient and ethically sound circular economy pathways.
Research Objectives
Map Current Linear Value Chains: Engage stakeholders in various apparel value chains in the Tirupur apparel cluster (TAC).
Evaluate Sustainability: Assess TAC from economic, social, and environmental perspectives using the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals framework.
Identify Potential for Circular Practices: Test circular practices and business models, identifying gaps and opportunities.
Facilitate Participatory Workshops: Co-design circular economy pilot projects with stakeholders.
Project Activities
Literature review of circular and sustainable apparel industry projects.
Data collection: primary field data and secondary data.
Data analysis for sustainability assessment using UN SDG framework.
Participatory workshops with stakeholders to co-design pathways for circular business models.
Co-design an academic module on “Introduction to Circular Economy in Textiles.”
Research Methodology
Mapping value chains: Understanding the structure, stakeholders, and processes involved in the textile value chains.
Evaluating sustainability: Using selected U.N. SDG indicators to assess economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
Data Collection: Conducting semi-structured interviews and site visits for primary data; reviewing company documents and industry reports for secondary data.
Upcoming Workshops on Sustainability and Circularity
Workshop 1: Transforming Indian Textile Industry
Date: July 19, 2024 Time: 03:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Venue: Padmashri Dr. A. Sakthivel Auditorium, Tiruppur Exporters Association, Tiruppur
Workshop 2: Transforming Indian Textile Industry
Date: July 22, 2024 Time: 03:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Venue: Padmashri Dr. A. Sakthivel Auditorium, Tiruppur Exporters Association, Tiruppur
Highlights of the Workshops:
Policy Navigation: Learn about new policies from governments and discuss their implications with peers.
Collaborative Ideation: Participate in brainstorming sessions to identify opportunities and co-create transformative solutions.
Case Study Analysis: Dive into global best practices from textiles and other industries on integrating sustainability and circularity.
Team Exercises: Work in groups to develop actionable initiatives, programs, or projects for integrating sustainability into your business.
Workshop Outcomes:
A holistic understanding of the pressures and challenges in the industry.
Strategies to integrate sustainability and circularity into your business.
Innovative ideas and collaborative solutions developed through teamwork.
Actionable insights to create an “Ethical Circular Economy” for your business.
