CASE STUDY Company A Company A is a UK-based designer knitwear manufacturer and retailer, originally established as a domestic textile manufacturer during the eighteenth century but now involved in global outsourcing and retailing activities of own-brand products as well as contract manufacturing for other fashion brands. The company counts some of the world's top fashion brands among its customers and most of its products are made of the finest natural fibres, such as merino wool, cashmere and the world's top-quality cotton. While raw material production takes place in China and Italy, almost all garment manufacture takes place at the company's UK factory. Challenges to sustainability in company A Despite the development of a number of initiatives to address sustainability issues in the business, Company A sees a number of challenges to improving its performance in managing sustainability risks, outlined as follows: The company's small size and stagnant growth - therefore, it lacks resources to recruit a dedicated sustainability manager and instead relies upon its technical or sourcing managers to manage sustainability issues. Lack of a dedicated team or champion who looks solely at sustainability, generates information and is ultimately responsible to manage such issues. Old technology, factory and infrastructure and inability to invest in more modern, efficient and environmentally friendly technology and processes. Lack of sustainability knowledge and a short-term view of the business. Lack of visibility and control of the whole supply chain. An unwanted move to fast fashion and increasing number of own-brand collections to respond to intensifying competition in the market, which increases the risk of supply chain vulnerability, fragility and likelihood of operational disruptions. An ageing working force, stagnant culture and no newness coming into the factory, which results in a lack of new ideas for overcoming the barriers to sustainability. Questions: 1- What do you understand by the term 'sustainability? 2- What are the key sustainability challenges in the fashion industry? 3- What are the challenges to managing sustainability in fashion supply chains? 4- How does Company A incorporate sustainability into its operations? 5- What are the barriers to managing sustainability for Company A? 6- How could the company overcome these barriers