Technological Dependency
Technological dependency in the fashion industry refers to the reliance on specific tools, materials, machines, or software that are critical for the production and delivery of fashion products and services. Some technologies are more integral to the production process than others, and a company may face significant disruptions if these become inaccessible. This unit explores how fashion companies assess their technological dependencies and the potential risks associated with them. Participants will analyze the impact of these dependencies on the product-service lifecycle and explore sustainable alternatives to reduce reliance on technologies that may pose risks or be unsustainable in the long term.
Case Studies
Appalatch Clothing Appalatch, a small sustainable apparel company, faced significant challenges with their technological dependency on a specific knitting machine used to produce their wool garments. When the machine broke down, they had to rely on skilled labor to maintain production, which increased costs. The company realized that diversifying its machine suppliers and investing in maintenance training was essential to reduce its reliance on a single technology. More Information
Pinatex Pinatex is a material company that produces an alternative to leather using pineapple leaves. Their production process relies heavily on specific extraction machines designed to pull fibers from the leaves. Technological disruptions in the supply of these machines could slow down production or halt their sustainable material output. To mitigate this risk, Pinatex explores partnerships with machinery producers and is developing manual extraction techniques that could serve as a backup. More Information
ByBorre ByBorre, an Amsterdam-based textile innovation studio, relies heavily on 3D knitting technology to create their bespoke fabrics. This reliance makes them vulnerable to disruptions if the knitting machines or the software controlling them become unavailable. ByBorre mitigates this risk by collaborating with multiple machine providers and investing in open-source software alternatives, which enhances resilience and flexibility in their production processes. More Information
Ecovative Ecovative, a small biomaterials company, produces sustainable alternatives to plastic using mushroom mycelium. Their production process depends on highly specific bioreactors and environmental control systems. A failure or disruption in access to these systems could dramatically affect production. To mitigate dependency risks, Ecovative has worked on optimizing small-scale, modular bioreactor units that allow for easier maintenance and reduced reliance on external providers. More Information
References
- Gwilt, A. (2015). Fashion Design for Living: Design for Sustainability. Routledge.
- Bocken, N. M. P., & Ciarapica, F. E. (2016). The Effect of Business Model Innovation for Resource Efficiency on Competitive Advantage: A Case Study in the Fashion Industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135, 1069-1083.
- Shen, L., & Li, X. (2016). Life Cycle Assessment of Clothing: Sensitivity Analysis of Recycled Polyester and Wool Blends. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 28(6), 842-860.
- Villa, T. B., et al. (2017). Innovative and Sustainable Business Models in the Fashion Industry: Entrepreneurial Drivers, Opportunities, and Challenges. Business Horizons, 60(6), 759-770.
- Todeschini, B. V., et al. (2021). Business Model Innovation for Circular Economy in Fashion Industry: A Start-ups’ Perspective. Frontiers in Sustainability, 2, 766614.
- Fan, X. (2014). The Profit Model of the Fashion Industry. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5(1), 113-117.
- Silvestri, B. (2020). The Future of Fashion: How the Quest for Digitisation and the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality Will Reshape the Fashion Industry After COVID-19. ZoneModa Journal, 10(2), 61-73.