fashion essay

1

Please watch the follow two short videos (8 minutes in total) BEFORE you start working on the case analysis) About the case study method and case analysis • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlTfuv1BLCs&t=2m0s • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxTXc5VZGnw

FASH455 Fall 2020 Case Study 1: Improve Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Apparel Industry:

A Case Study on Bangladesh

Reading material 5-1 “Improve corporate social responsibility in the global apparel industry: A case study on Bangladesh (updated August 2020)” 5-2 “Retailers canceling apparel orders amid coronavirus torments clothes makers” Learning Objectives 1. Deepen students’ understanding of the course material by applying what they learned in the classroom to solve real-world problems, including:

• Importance of the textile and apparel (T&A) industry in today’s world economy • Global aspects of today’s T&A industry in the economic, political, and social dimensions • Corporate social responsibility issues in the T&A industry

2. Improve students’ critical thinking, analysis, and presenting skills; 3. Develop students’ teamwork skills;

Requirements Important reminders about doing the case study: 1) Case study means you put yourself in the particular scenario described in the case (There is

NO need to search/use any additional references beyond the case material for the case analysis).

2) This is an evaluation case. You are expected to evaluate the effectiveness, performance, outcomes, and consequences of a subject (e.g., the cause of the Rana Plaza tragedy). Criteria are the most critical choice you make in an evaluation case. The evaluation also often needs to consider both the positives and negatives of the subject.

1. Case analysis essay (20 points) In a no less than a 600-word essay (in the Q&A format is fine), please critically and thoughtfully answer the following questions. The written case analysis is due on September 29, 2020 (Tuesday), end of the day (11:59pm EST). Please submit your assignment (in a word or PDF document) through Canvas. 1) Overall, is making garments for western fashion brands beneficial or not for Bangladesh and

why? (please also explain your criteria for “beneficial”; You may also consider different stakeholders in Bangladesh, such as the country as a whole, the workers, the factory owners, and the government)

2

2) To which extent do you think the following parties shall be responsible for the Rana Plaza

tragedy and why? Please state your reasons in the following table:

Parties Primary, minor or

no responsibility Reasons

U.S. fashion companies which sourced from Rana Plaza

Factory owner of Rana Plaza

Bangladeshi government

U.S. consumers

3) Based on the case of Amazon and H&M, why or why not do you think the problem(s) that

caused the Rana Plaza has been fully solved? Is it safe now to source apparel from Bangladesh, and why?

4) How effectively have the Accord and the Alliance improved the social responsibility

practices in the Bangladeshi garment industry? Why or why not do you agree that it was the right decision to ask them to leave Bangladesh after 2019?

5) Based on the article 5-2, why or why not should we worry about deteriorated social responsibility practices in the Bangladeshi garment industry during the pandemic (COVID- 19)?

Please justify your arguments with the presence of relevant and convincing evidence (such as examples, numbers, statistics, and related theories).

3

The case analysis essay will be graded based on the following rubric: Criteria Below expectations

[0-30%] Satisfactory work

[30-60%] Very good work

[60-100%] Case understanding (7’)

Demonstrates an inadequate understanding of the case topic(s) and issue(s).

Demonstrates an acceptable understanding of the case topic(s) and issue(s).

Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of the case topic(s) and issue(s).

Case analysis (7’)

Presents an incomplete analysis of assignment questions. Supports diagnosis and opinions with few reasons and little evidence; the argument is one-sided and not objective.

Presents a thorough analysis of assignment questions; Supports diagnosis and opinions with reasons and evidence; presents a fairly balanced view; interpretation is both reasonable and objective.

Presents an insightful and thorough analysis of assignment questions; Supports diagnosis and opinions with strong arguments and evidence; presents a balanced and critical view; interpretation is both reasonable and objective.

Writing (6’)

Writing is unfocused, rambling, or contains serious errors; lacks detail and relevant data and information; poorly organized.

Writing is accomplished regarding clarity and conciseness and contains only a few errors; includes sufficient details and relevant data and information; well- organized.

Writing demonstrates a sophisticated clarity, conciseness, and correctness; includes thorough details and relevant data and information; extremely well-organized.

2. Group case discussion The group case discussion is a critical component of the case study method, and the session will significantly benefit students’ learning effectiveness. Through the case discussion, students will be able to strengthen their understanding of the case, gain new perspectives about the debates, and improve their oral communication skills. • Time: September 30, 2020 (Wednesday), 1:25 pm—2:15 pm, EST; Zoom access link:

https://zoom.us/j/3028313495 ; Students are expected to use both microphone and webcam during the case discussion. However, the case discussion will be off the record.

• Students are highly expected to attend the case discussion session. Mid-term 1 will include a question based on the case discussion.