Social Responsibility: The Concept As Defined by Apparel and Textile Scholars

Eighty-seven members of the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) completed an electronic survey focused on the scholarly activities in which they are engaged that relate to social responsibility. A wide range of social responsibility topics was considered important to address in our teaching. Most important were topics related to labor practices in and trade with developing countries, consumerism, aspects of environmental protection, and body image. Responses to an open-ended question on defining socially responsible apparel/textile business revealed a three-dimensional concept incorporating an orientation encompassing the environment and its people, a philosophy balancing ethics/morality with profit, and an emphasis on the business actions and strategies resulting in positive outcomes for people and the environment. The social responsibility concept serves as a critical linkage among apparel and textile scholars across the various subdisciplines.