Greenwashing and Governance of CSR
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2021-08-27
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en
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Abstract
Greenwashing is a phenomenon that can manifests itself in the grey area that is created between voluntarily and obligational regulation of CSR. How best to reduce such a complex concept if a balance between voluntariness and obligation has been the standard for years? This master thesis looks at the cooperation between different governance levels in the Dutch clothing and textile industry and how these can be more complementary to each other to reduce greenwashing. The never-ending discussion between voluntariness and obligations causes discord and lack of clarity in practice, which does not really help a practical problem like improving cooperation. Many grey areas still appear where only an industry-wide vision or regulation can really bring about structural changes.
A data triangulation of a document study, 11 in-depth interviews with experts, with this document study as input, and a case study as an example have helped to gain insight into this issue and to uncover practical points for improvement. The results show that current points for improvement are mainly on the level of communication and openness: organisations have not enough understanding into each other's interests and what they can possibly do for each other regarding solving sustainability issues, there are clear different visions on the various governance levels on how best to approach sustainability and there is a mismatch between regulatory authority and daily practice. To solve greenwashing and other sustainability issues, the strengths and knowledge of the entire Dutch garment and textile industry will have to be combined. The conclusion and practical implication are given that a knowledge institute should be formed in which all governance levels are represented and through which cooperation can be strengthened and regulation can be integrated and implemented in dialogue with industrial actors. With the investment and structural building of a knowledge institute future problems can then be more easily recognised, acknowledged, and tackled in cooperation
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen