Abstract

Guided by the Triple Bottom Line theory, this study aims to acquire a deeper understanding of the passion and challenges that entrepreneurs face in developing their sustainable apparel businesses. Qualitative data were collected via personal interviews with the research goal of giving a thematic description of the experience of sustainable apparel entrepreneurs. Purposive sampling was used to select five sustainable apparel entrepreneurs in the Southeastern U.S. Four themes emerged related to entrepreneurial passion, including passion for what the entrepreneurs are making/selling – sustainable apparel products, passion for a sustainable future for the planet and people, passion for building a strong local community, and passion for changing the apparel industry. Three themes emerged concerning the challenges facing the sustainable apparel entrepreneurs, including limited options, price considerations, and the need to change the consumer’s mindset. The study expands the existing apparel literature by examining sustainable apparel business from an entrepreneurship perspective.

摘要

本研究以三重底线理论为指导，旨在更深入地了解企业家在发展可持续服装业务时所面临的热情和挑战。定性数据通过以下方式收集个人访谈，研究目标是对可持续服装企业家的经历进行主题描述。目的性抽样用于选择美国东南部的五位可持续服装企业家 出现了四个与企业家热情相关的主题，包括对企业家正在制作/销售的产品的热情——可持续服装产品、对地球和人类可持续未来的热情、对企业家的热情建立强大的当地社区，并热衷于改变服装行业。关于可持续服装企业家面临的挑战出现了三个主题，包括有限的选择、价格考虑以及改变消费者心态的必要性。该研究通过从创业的角度研究可持续服装业务，扩展了现有的服装文献。