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Organic Cotton Clothing: Is it Helping to Raise the Bottom?

Boyle, Kathleen Marie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1405433458

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Arts, University of Akron, Clothing, Textiles and Interiors.
Evidence is pointing to the re-emergence of sweatshop and/or exploitive working conditions within the textile and apparel industries, possible today because of the concentration of players and the move to off-shore production. Today, globally, cotton is the primary fiber of choice for apparel. The globalization of the cotton industry has had detrimental effects on small-scale farmers. Environmental and social activists are documenting evidence of the disparities of cotton production due to globalization. Small-scale cotton farmers, in today’s arena, have to compete with large cotton agribusinesses that are highly subsidized. Fair trade and/or organic cotton have met standards demonstrating environmental and social responsibility. Large retail companies are now making clothing from organic cotton for the eco-conscious consumer. Does organic cotton apparel equate to better working conditions for the farmer-to-garment supply chain? One of the goals of this research paper has been to compile a literature review from disparate points of view in order to establish the relationship of organic cotton to the working conditions within the textile and apparel industry. These topics include the social history of the textile and apparel industry in the United States, the development of trade agreements, and the expansion of the textile and apparel industry globally and the various standards and organizations establishing criteria for cotton. In addition, through investigative studies of five retail companies known for their organic cotton apparel, this paper analyzes whether organic cotton clothing is helping to raise the bottom line in the “race to the bottom.”
Teena Jennings-Rentenaar, Dr. (Advisor)
Virginia Gunn, Dr. (Committee Member)
David Witt, Dr. (Committee Member)
128 p.
Economics; Labor Economics; Textile Research
organic cotton clothing; sweatshops; labor conditions; apparel; textile industry; market conditions; fair trade; clothing; H and M; Nike; cotton subsidies; cotton; government policy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Boyle, K. M. (2014). Organic Cotton Clothing: Is it Helping to Raise the Bottom? [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1405433458

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Boyle, Kathleen. Organic Cotton Clothing: Is it Helping to Raise the Bottom? 2014. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1405433458.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Boyle, Kathleen. "Organic Cotton Clothing: Is it Helping to Raise the Bottom?" Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1405433458

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1405433458
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.