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Which Consumer Associations Can Build a Sustainable Fashion Brand Image? Evidence from Fast Fashion Brands

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  • Yunjeong Kim

    (Department of Fashion, College of Arts, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea)

  • Kyung Wha Oh

    (Department of Fashion, College of Arts, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea)

Abstract

Since fast fashion is often considered the opposite of sustainable fashion, this study was conducted to clarify the consumer brand associations with sustainable fashion by analyzing three fast fashion brands. Our research included two studies. First, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 female consumers in Korea who had purchase experience with the sustainable fashion of three selected brands, H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo, to identify sustainable keyword associations. We then structured the keyword data using network analysis. The keyword associations for the three brands resulted in a network of 60 nodes and 629 links with the term “eco-friendly” as the most meaningful keyword. Second, we surveyed 200 women and quantitatively confirmed the association of “eco-friendly fabric” among the keywords suggestive of “eco-friendly” as the most important factor in building a sustainable fashion brand image. In addition, keywords, such as “marketing” and “campaign”, were ranked in the top ten in H&M and Zara, which may imply the opportunistic use of greenwash. This study contributes to the literature by applying in-depth analysis of consumer associations of fast fashion brands from a sustainability perspective through network analysis. We expect our findings to help fashion companies strategically build a sustainable fashion brand image.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunjeong Kim & Kyung Wha Oh, 2020. "Which Consumer Associations Can Build a Sustainable Fashion Brand Image? Evidence from Fast Fashion Brands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:1703-:d:324739
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    Cited by:

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    3. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Veronica Câmpian & Anna-Rebeka Pop & Raluca Bãbu?, 2022. "Generating loyalty towards fast fashion stores: a cross-generational approach based on store attributes and socio-environmental responsibility," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(3), pages 891-934, September.
    4. Hadro Dominika & Patora-Wysocka Zofia & Fijałkowska Justyna & Mróz-Gorgoń Barbara, 2023. "Sustainability and Fast Fashion from the Executive Perspective – the Case of LPP S.A," Journal of Intercultural Management, Sciendo, vol. 15(3), pages 148-178, September.
    5. Apetrei Andreea & Constantin Marius & Deaconu Elena-Mădălina & Dinu Mihai & Pătărlăgeanu Simona Roxana & Petrescu Irina-Elena, 2024. "Eco-chic or trendy-chic? Decoding consumer preferences in sustainable and fast fashion across the EU," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 19(2), pages 179-210.
    6. James Costantini & Kyoka Costantini, 2022. "Communications on Sustainability in the Apparel Industry: Readability of Information on Sustainability on Apparel Brands’ Web Sites in the United Kingdom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-10, October.
    7. Isabel Palomo-Domínguez & Rodrigo Elías-Zambrano & Víctor Álvarez-Rodríguez, 2023. "Gen Z’s Motivations towards Sustainable Fashion and Eco-Friendly Brand Attributes: The Case of Vinted," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    8. Tong Jia & Shahid Iqbal & Arslan Ayub & Tehreem Fatima & Zeeshan Rasool, 2023. "Promoting Responsible Sustainable Consumer Behavior through Sustainability Marketing: The Boundary Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility and Brand Image," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Xiaoqian Lu & Tong Sheng & Xiaolan Zhou & Chaohai Shen & Bingquan Fang, 2022. "How Does Young Consumers’ Greenwashing Perception Impact Their Green Purchase Intention in the Fast Fashion Industry? An Analysis from the Perspective of Perceived Risk Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    10. Elizabeth Kempen & Rejoice Tobias-Mamina & Mariette Strydom & Lorna Christie & Lorna Christie, 2023. "Female Consumers’ Involvement in Intentional Non-Sustainable and Unintentional Sustainable Apparel Decisions: An Emerging Market Perspective," Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 1(16), pages 1-21.
    11. Patricia SanMiguel & Silvia Pérez-Bou & Teresa Sádaba & Pedro Mir-Bernal, 2021. "How to Communicate Sustainability: From the Corporate Web to E-Commerce. The Case of the Fashion Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-27, October.
    12. Silvia Dimitrova, 2020. "Ethical Fashion," Izvestia Journal of the Union of Scientists - Varna. Economic Sciences Series, Union of Scientists - Varna, Economic Sciences Section, vol. 9(3), pages 27-39, December.

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