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DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/11502 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
EJSICE content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License  

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Corporate Social Responsibilities Washing in The Textile 
Industry: A Review of Causes, Consequences, and Remedy. 
 
Md. Nahid-Ull-Islam1* 

1 Department of Apparel Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh 

nahidhridoy42@gmail.com 

*contact author 
ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5464-2492 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Received: 03/01/2025 

Accepted for publication: 10/03/2025 

Published: 15/04/2025 

 

 

 

 

Abstract
The textile industry is facing a growing issue of Corporate Social Responsibilities washing or CSR-
washing, which are misleading social claims made by companies to appeal to customers' social 
consciousness. This review examines the causes and consequences of this practice, focusing on the holistic 
impact on consumers, corporations, stakeholders, and society. The analysis used various sources, 
including review papers, case studies, book chapters, and websites, to identify relevant publications. The 
study explores the concept of CSR-washing in fast fashion and its impact on society. To combat this issue, 
it suggests promoting transparency, accountability, and independent certification in the textile industry. 
The lack of research on this practice in the industry makes it difficult to understand its effects. The study 
emphasises the need for optimal measures to control this practice, aiming to create a sustainable and 
responsible fashion sector. 
 
Keywords: CSR-washing, ethical, transparency, fast fashion, sustainability.

 

mailto:nahidhridoy42@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5464-2492


 
 

 
European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/11502 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
EJSICE content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License  

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1. Introduction 
The term Sustainability was first coined by a German forester in the 18th century, but it became popular 
with the birth of the contemporary environment movement in the late 1960s and 1970s (Wiersum, 1995). 
Sustainability refers to the optimal utilisation rate of non-renewable resources without risking the ability 
of future generations to fulfil their needs (Hotelling, 1931; Kuhlman & Farrington, 2010). The demand in 
the industrial sectors to safeguard the environment and practice social responsibility has intensified due to 
the policies and strategies created in the previous decade to promote sustainable development (Joung et 
al., 2013). In order to effectively meet sustainability standards, it is crucial to evaluate the sustainability 
performance of the industrial sectors (Bi, 2011). As consumers' growing awareness of such devastating 
impacts, the textile industry has shifted its focus on sustainability more in recent years. Among the three 
pillars, social sustainability is an ideal state of well-being that might be expected to occur when social, 
economic, and environmental interactions foster intergenerational equality and longitudinal equilibrium 
(Grum & Kobal Grum, 2020). It is how businesses identify and manage their impacts on people, both 
positive and negative. Businesses need to have good relationships and engagement with their stakeholders, 
such as employees, workers in the supply chain, customers, and local communities. Businesses need to 
proactively manage their social impacts because they can significantly impact their ability to operate. For 
example, if a business does not treat its employees fairly or respect human rights, it may lose its social 
license, which is the public's trust and acceptance. Social sustainability is also important for business 
growth. Businesses that are socially responsible are more likely to attract and retain customers and 
business partners. They are also more likely to be innovative and productive (Runhaar & Lafferty, 2009). 
Social sustainability is a broad concept that encompasses many different aspects of society, including 
social value, liability, well-being, group improvement, social capital, social support, human rights, work 
rights, place-making, social obligation, social equity, social skills, group diversity, and human adjustment. 
It is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs. It is based on the understanding that social, economic, and environmental issues are 
interconnected. Social obligation is a related concept that focuses on the specific issues that businesses 
and governments are responsible for addressing to achieve social sustainability. These issues include asset 
utilisation, pollution, consumer well-being, human rights, health and safety, product fairness, and quality. 
Social obligation is a conscious effort to maintain and improve human well-being and prosperity while 
being environmentally responsible (Grace Annapoorani, 2017). 
In recent years, public concern towards the protection of social well-being has grown, which has been 
recognised by the pioneer brands of textile industry and focused on sustainable approaches and 
transparency to social issues, resulting in a noticeable growth in the ethical fashion market 
(Eurobarometer, 2017; Younus et al., 2024). As the textile industry is required to adopt sustainable 
practices, Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives aim to address the textile industry's 
sophisticated social challenges, ensuring an ethical outcome. CSR provides a common ground and 
principles for several sustainability frameworks, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDG), and ISO 26000, which are generally practised in the textile industry. 
Brandsfrom textile industry is seizing the marketing opportunity by using the consumers' sentiment on 
social distress by claiming their products are socially sustainable without implementing CSR initiatives 
for sustainable frameworks (Beyer & Arnold, 2021; Easterling et al., 1996; Schmidt & Donsbach, 2012; 



 
 

 
European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/11502 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
EJSICE content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License  

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Wonneberger & Matthes, 2016). This often leads to brands exploiting exaggerated, fabricated, and illusive 
claims of social well-being of products in order to improve brand value (Berliner & Prakash, 2015; Kangun 
et al., 1991; Matthes & Wonneberger, 2014). These actions are considered CSR-washing, which dilutes 
sustainability's true meaning and uses it as a marketable catchphrase, has not only affected consumer 
behaviour but also penetrated the textile sector (Apaolaza et al., 2023; Testa et al., 2021). This distortion 
has exacerbated the problems already present in the ecological footprint of the fashion and textile industry 
by contributing to the compounding problems of overproduction and overconsumption. Unintentionally, 
this creates a confusing environment where deceptive marketing tactics cast a shadow on genuine 
sustainability (Badhwar et al., 2024). 
Although the phenomenon of misleading consumers about a company's ethical practice by misrepresenting 
CSR initiatives has been discussed in several studies, there is a research gap on its holistic impact on the 
textile industry alongside its challenge to distinguish because of a lack of agreed-upon nomenclature and 
hazy limits. Some writers, for instance, employ different terms, including "corporate hypocrisy" or 
"bluewashing," which encompasses not just greenwashing and bluewashing but also pinkwashing 
(referring to breast cancer awareness) (Lubitow & Davis, 2011; Pope & Wæraas, 2016; Wagner et al., 
2009). To distinguish the issue from environmental issues, other scholars favour the term "socialwashing" 
(Rizzi et al., 2020). Furthermore, a number of researchers view bluewashing as a component of the broader 
phrase "greenwashing" rather than as a distinct tactic (Seele & Gatti, 2017). 
The objective of this review is to comprehend theoretical concepts of CSR-washing in the context of the 
textile sector by addressing research stages, conducting a systematic review of the literature, and 
identifying relevant papers. To fulfil the review objective, the following research stages were addressed: 
A) Identify the prevalence of research regarding CSR-washing or relevant terms as part of the study. 
B) Evaluate common keywords in reviewing the literature. 
C) Conduct a content analysis of the literature to analyse the practice of CSR-washing in the textile 
industry and its types, causes, and consequences. 
D) Propose possible solutions to mitigate CSR-washing. 
This study examines how theory fits with real-world actions in the textile sector, taking into account 
shifting laws. This review expands on existing studies and literature on CSR-washing in the textile sector, 
providing a more subtle perspective on current difficulties and remedies. 
 
2. Research Methodology 
2.1 Identify Research 
This study used a process to conduct a systematic review of the literature and identify relevant papers by 
gathering the context of the literature (Gall, Gall, & Borg, 2003). This method is effective in identifying 
trends, gaining knowledge and developing a review process (Köksal et al., 2017; Seuring & Gold, 2012). 
To narrow down the sample and confirm the relevance of selected articles, both abstract reviewing and 
full-body reviewing were involved. At first, abstracts of peer-reviewed articles were reviewed to identify 
their relevance to CSR-washing. Then, full body content was reviewed to identify its relevance to the 
textile industry. 
 
2.2 Common Keywords and Methodology used 
The research used a search approach to minimise the number of relevant publications. Resources used for 
searches include Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The keywords used to search the relevant 



 
 

 
European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
DOI: 10.13135/2704-9906/11502 Published by University of Turin http://www.ojs.unito.it/index.php/ejsice/index 
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publications were "greenwashing", "bluewashing", "CSR", "textile", and "fast fashion". The study 
analyses articles, including review papers, case studies, book chapters, and websites, on CSR-washing, 
their relationship to fast fashion, and sustainability in the textile sector. 
 
2.3 Content Analysis of Literature Sample 
As part of the research process, a content analysis of the selected articles was conducted to provide an 
overview of the main topics covered by the literature samples. The analysis of literature samples showed 
the practice of misleading claims of environmental and social sustainability, which includes CSR-washing 
(Table 1). 
 
Authors Key Findings 
Apaolaza et al. (2023) Greenwashing is an obstacle to purchase of 

sustainable clothing. 
Badhwar et al. (2024) Transparency and honesty are needed in the 

fashion industry's green marketing strategies. 
Consumer education is also important to prevent 
misinterpretation of green-related terms and to 
promote sustainable consumption practices. 

Berliner & Prakash (2015) UNGC members fare worse than non-members on 
costly and fundamental performance dimensions, 
while showing improvements only in more 
superficial dimensions. 

Macellari et al. (2021) More than 80% of the significant negative events 
related to companies from UNGC LEAD Program 
were not reported or were only partially reported 
in their sustainability reports. 

Pope & Wæraas (2016) The rarity of CSR-washing is based on perspective 
rather than that of fact 

Rizzi et al. (2020) Awareness campaigns and third-party verifiable 
standards and certifications should be considered 
to mitigate risks regarding "social washing". 

Sailer et al. (2022) Sustainable Black Friday campaigns may attract 
economically and socially concerned customers 
while practising greenwashing and bluewashing 

Seeli & Gatti (2017) Speculatively greenwashing is constituted in 
the eye of the beholder, depending on an external 
accusation. 

 
Table 1. Key findings summary of literature sample. 

 
Based on the key findings it was observed that though Corporate Social Responsibilities was a major factor 
in both greenwashing and bluewashing, CSR-washing itself was not addressed as an individual challenge. 



 
 

 
European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
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To address CSR-washing in the textile industry, a conceptual framework was constructed to analyse CSR-
washing in the textile industry, the drivers of practising CSR-washing, its consequences, and possible 
remedies to mitigate CSR-washing in global and domestic textile industries. 
 
3. Historical Background 
Any deceptive claims on the social initiatives or effects of a company, good, or procedure are referred to 
as "bluewashing" (Sailers et al., 2022). The problem of bluewashing was first brought up by critics with 
respect to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable 
Development. They accused corporations of leveraging their UN collaboration to hide their lax 
enforcement of labour and human rights norms (Sailer et al., 2022). The assertions of UNGC members 
avoiding their social obligations are supported by related research. It was found that while members only 
make low-cost attempts to improve in relatively superficial aspects, they do worse than non-members in 
critical and expensive aspects (Berliner & Prakash, 2015).  
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) 
criteria have emerged in response to increased transparency and accountability demands (Bromley & 
Powell, 2012). CSR programs typically express a company's commitment to addressing environmental 
and social challenges (Macellari et al., 2021). CSR programs prioritise legitimacy over economic gains 
(Schaltegger & Hörisch, 2017). A study found that simply demonstrating commitment increases company 
legitimacy (Bansal & Clelland, 2004). CSR claims are often overstated, selective, or unrealistic (Pope & 
Wæraas, 2016). ESG policies, like CSR, address a company's environmental effects and social 
responsibility activities while also considering corporate governance (Bassen & Kovács, 2020). "CSR-
washing" is the practice of businesses "paying lip service" to their CSR goals instead of implementing 
meaningful changes to enhance their CSR performance (Berliner & Prakash, 2015). A corporation that 
has been CSR-washed appears more socially conscious than it actually is. CSR-washers do the bare 
minimum to appease detractors, advocacy organisations, and social media platforms because they believe 
that corporate social responsibility is the domain of the public relations division (de Faro Adamson & 
Andrew, 2008). 
Cause-related marketing (CRM) is a common way that social appeals are used in advertising. CRM is the 
practice of allocating a portion of product sales revenue to charity organisations (Christofi et al., 2020; 
Robinson et al., 2012). The best outcomes from this approach are obtained when companies exhibit 
sustained dedication to nonprofits. Furthermore, brands run the danger of losing credibility if the donated 
amount is out of proportion to the purchase price (Sailer et al., 2022). However, although important aspects 
like labour and human rights are usually overlooked, CRM is commonly utilised to improve business 
social images. CRM is then utilised to aim at CSR-washing. 
The Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is an important tool for evaluating and improving a company's 
social and environmental effects, but it may also be used to encourage CSR-washing (Herrera Almanza & 
Corona, 2020). Companies may selectively disclose only the positive social impacts discovered by S-
LCA, while ignoring negative results. This presents an inaccurate image of their total social performance. 
Companies may overestimate the significance of tiny social benefits found by S-LCA and use them to 
make unsupported claims about their social responsibility. Companies may also undertake S-LCAs 
without disclosing the complete methodology, data, and outcomes to the public. This lack of transparency 
makes it impossible to determine the authenticity and trustworthiness of their statements. Finally, 



 
 

 
European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
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companies may prioritise small social issues highlighted by S-LCA while ignoring more major social and 
environmental implications across their value chain. 
 
4. Conceptual Framework to identify CSR-washing 
A framework can be constructed based on the key elements of CSR-washing, including corporate actions, 
communication and marketing, and stakeholder perception, to identify CSR-washing. Corporate Actions 
encompass analysing a company's true environmental and societal impact, such as its carbon footprint, 
waste management, labour practices, and community involvement. Also, examine specific CSR initiatives. 
Communication and Marketing include analysing the company's communication strategies to comprehend 
how it presents its CSR activities to the public, as well as scrutinising the specific strategy to promote 
CSR initiatives for potential exaggerations, misleading statements, or selective information presentation. 
Stakeholder Perception examines a company's interactions with multiple stakeholders, such as employees, 
customers, investors, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to better understand their perspectives 
on the company's corporate social responsibility performance. 
There are numerous techniques available for analysing CSR-washing within this framework. Assessing 
the company's CSR activities against independent third-party audits and certifications to determine the 
legitimacy of its claims. Comparing the company's CSR performance and communication to industry 
standards and established standards to discover areas for development and the possibility of CSR-washing. 
Tracking social media interactions and online reviews to gain insight into the general consensus of the 
company's CSR programs and detect any issues or critiques. Interviews with important stakeholders, such 
as employees, customers, investors, and NGOs, are conducted to get feedback on the company's CSR 
activity and identify any issues or critiques (Figure 1). 
 

 
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework to identify CSR-washing 



 
 

 
European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy - ISSN: 2704-9906  
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Source: Author's elaboration 

 
4.1 Common Methods of CSR-washing 
Many fashion brands exercise some common CSR-washing methods. Selective reporting leads textile 
industries to produce portrayals that may include a few positives that they intend to highlight while 
concealing bigger unethical actions. For example, they may claim to be donating a few pennies to charity 
while continuing to violate labour laws. A misleading collaboration with renowned social organisations 
can provide the impression that the company is ethical. Many firms use these organisations for public 
relations, although they do not always adhere to their criteria. It was stated that by affiliating with 
organisations such as the UN Global Compact (UNGC), many brands have attempted to create an ethical 
veneer while making no meaningful improvements to its negative effect. Vague claims lead to broad and 
ungenerous assertions regarding social responsibility, such as saying that the corporation is concerned 
about 'just treatment of workers' but fails to submit evidence of their social compliance criteria ("What is 
Bluewashing? (2024)," 2024). 
 
5. Causes of CSR-washing 
5.1 Government rules & regulations 
In many countries, there are weak regulations and enforcement mechanisms to hold companies 
accountable for their sustainability claims. This allows companies to get away with misleading marketing 
practices (Mishra, 2023). 
 
5.2 Consumer demand 
Consumers are increasingly aware of environmental and social issues, leading to a growing demand for 
sustainable fashion. However, many consumers lack the knowledge and tools to critically evaluate 
sustainability claims and identify CSR-washing. This makes it easier for companies to deceive consumers 
and exploit it as an opportunity for CSR washing (Hartmann, 2018; Newman & Bartels, 2011). 
 
5.3 Lack of transparency 
The textile industry is notoriously opaque, with complex supply chains that make it difficult to track the 
origin of materials and the working conditions of labourers, suffering from low salaries, involuntary 
overtime, inconsistent hours, and poor safety conditions (Alamgir & Banerjee, 2019; Wills & Hale, 2005). 
This lack of transparency allows companies to make misleading claims about their sustainability practices. 
Brands often use vague and misleading marketing claims to promote their products as sustainable without 
providing concrete evidence to support their claims. This can include using terms like "eco-friendly", 
"sustainable" or "ethical" without specific definitions or certifications. 
 
5.4 Focusing on a single pillar of sustainability 
Some companies may focus on one aspect of sustainability, such as using recycled materials or 
environmental impact, while neglecting other important factors like fair labour practices (Morelli, 2011). 
Implementing truly sustainable practices can be costly and complex, especially for smaller companies. 
This can create a barrier for some companies to adopt sustainable practices, leading them to resort to CSR-
washing instead. 



 
 

 
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6. Consequence of CSR-washing in the textile industry 
CSR-washing businesses trick consumers who desire to make an ethical choice by purchasing sustainable 
products that are not. This manipulation of consumers' goodwill is not only dishonest to customers, but it 
is also harmful to societal progress toward a better future. Many fast-fashion manufacturers promote the 
utilisation of 'sustainable' fabrics and production practices, but they continue to use processes that are 
harmful to the environment and workers. As a result, CSR-washing undermines the credibility of 
companies and brands. When consumers discover that a company is engaging in mere hype or outright 
lying about its sustainability, they lose faith in even genuine environmentally friendly businesses ("What 
is Bluewashing? (2024)," 2024). 
CSR-washing has led the textile sector to invest in items that violated alleged public pledges to human 
rights. CSR-washing also involves intentional or irresponsible misrepresentation, illegal business 
activities, and deceptive advertising regarding working conditions in various pioneer textile industries 
where it is claimed that child labour is exploited (Vladeck, 2003). Auchan, a French retail corporation, 
engaged in misleading marketing methods despite publicly stating that it respects workers' rights, but a 
clothing label marketed by the company was discovered in the ruins of the Rana Plaza building collapse, 
which killed over 1,100 textile workers (Turnbull et al., 2023). 
Overall, falsely claiming a product or process in the textile sector socially conscious or socially sustainable 
results in hindrances in achieving sustainability and disrupting the social pillar of sustainability, which 
disrupts the other pillars of sustainability as well. Eventually, CSR-washing can undermine the efforts of 
companies that are genuinely committed to sustainability, as it can create confusion and scepticism among 
consumers ("What is Bluewashing? (2024)," 2024). 
 
6.1 Practice of CSR-washing by fashion giants 
In 2021KnowTheChain benchmark evaluated the efforts of the 37 largest global apparel and footwear 
companies and discovered that luxury brands such as Kering and LVMH, as well as budget retailers 
Amazon and Walmart, are among the worst performers when it comes to addressing human rights 
exploitation in supply chains—clearly, a higher price tag does not guarantee better transparency and 
respect for workers' rights. Almost all companies (97%) declare a supplier code of conduct that forbids 
forced labour and a supplier monitoring system. However, they are ineffective in combating forced labour 
or providing worker remedies (2021 KnowTheChain Apparel & Footwear Benchmark, 2021). H&M, 
Calvin Klein, Gap, Nike, Adidas, Shien, and Tommy Hilfiger have all been accused of links to Uighur 
slave labour, either at the source or in factories. China is the world's greatest cotton grower, with about 
84% of its cotton coming from the Xinjiang area, home to the Uighur people. Xinjiang is a major supplier 
of cotton for global fashion firms. According to a consortium of over 180 human rights organisations, one 
in every five cotton products sold around the world contains charges of forced labour (Mishra, 2023). 
 
7. How to tackle CSR-washing 
7.1 Regulatory frameworks and standards 
The fast fashion industry requires stronger rules and enforcement measures in the fast fashion business to 
address CSR-washing. In fact, governments and authorities in many countries are beginning to make a 
greater impact by enacting laws to improve the transparency of corporate social responsibility claims. 
 



 
 

 
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7.2 Third-party verification 
To combat CSR-washing in the fast fashion business, it's crucial to develop independent certification 
methods tailored to the sector. Certification systems must meet rigorous standards and be endorsed by 
reputable third-party organisations with experience in sustainability and ethical practices. Certification 
programs in the fast fashion sector help prevent CSR-washing by requiring companies to achieve 
sustainability requirements and prove their impact. Independent credentials help customers make educated 
decisions and support businesses committed to openness and ethics. They urge fashion firms to improve 
sustainability and lessen their environmental impact. Certifications encourage responsible behaviour and 
promote positive change in the sector. Implementing extensive certification schemes builds trust and 
encourages customers to support brands that correspond with their beliefs. 
 
7.3 Transparent supply chain 
Transparency in the supply chain refers to disclosing and making visible the entire manufacturing process, 
from raw material sourcing to distribution and retail. This transparency enables customers and 
stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the environmental and social implications of each 
stage in the supply chain. Brands should prioritise revealing supply chain information, such as factory 
locations, labour standards, and environmental practices. Implementing independent audits and 
certifications, such as those offered by the Fair Wear Foundation or the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, 
can improve openness and accountability to mitigate CSR-washing. 
 
7.4 Consumer empowering 
From the customer's perspective, prevention should begin with an understanding of what it is. Empowering 
consumers with knowledge enables them to make informed judgments and evaluate the larger 
ramifications of their fashion choices (Cheeseman, 2016). Furthermore, educating consumers about the 
environmental and social consequences of their shopping habits allows them to recognise and CSR-
washing, and promote truly sustainable firms. This may cause a shift in consumer behaviour, with a 
growing desire for ecological and ethical fashion. As demand grows, brands are driven to modify their 
operations and provide more sustainable solutions, resulting in positive industry transformation 
(Cheeseman, 2016). Governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and industry groups can 
conduct public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about CSR-washing techniques and provide 
guidance on how to recognise and avoid them. These campaigns can use a variety of platforms, including 
social media, commercials, and events, to reach a diverse audience and promote sustainable consumption. 
Brands should take proactive steps to increase transparency and educate customers about their sustainable 
initiatives. This may involve disclosing thorough information about their supplier chain, sourcing 
procedures, environmental certifications, and social responsibility activities. Furthermore, organising 
events, workshops, and seminars about sustainable fashion can assist increase consumer awareness. These 
events may include conversations about the environmental impact of rapid fashion, ethical production 
methods, and sustainable alternatives to identify and CSR-washing.  
Online platforms can provide real-time information on a product's sustainability credentials, allowing 
shoppers to make more educated purchasing decisions. Furthermore, social media and online forums can 
encourage information exchange and awareness campaigns, allowing consumers to participate in debates 
and advocate for sustainable practices. Social media serves as the major medium for obtaining information 
and provides a great potential for companies and individuals to harness their influence in creating 



 
 

 
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awareness and achieving recognition of CSR-washing practices, especially given the significant flood of 
internet users (Bennetta & Oeppen Hill, 2022). 
 
8. Challenges in addressing CSR-washing 
One major obstacle in conducting this study was the lack of research regarding practice of CSR-washing 
in the textile industry as many scholars considered CSR-washing as a form of greenwashing or 
bluewashing rather than addressing it as an individual issue. The study individualised CSR-washing as an 
act of lip servicing rather than taking initiatives to enhance company's CSR performance. While 
greenwashing indicates the practice of misleading claims of environmental sustainability, this practice 
may not include CSR despite the interconnectivity of environmental and social sustainability. Similarly, 
the practice of bluewashing accounts for the misrepresentation of social sustainability claims which is a 
broader category than CSR. As there are several social sustainability framework practices besides 
Corporate Social Responsibilities. Hence, the practice of CSR-washing also indicates bluewashing, but 
the practice of bluewashing may not always indicate CSR-washing. So it is important to warrant CSR-
washing in a distinct category of analysis. 
 
9. Conclusion 
The study addresses CSR-washing in the textile industry as a distinct practice by disclosing the gaps in 
literature reviews, as CSR-washing is often shadowed by practices like greenwashing and bluewashing. It 
demonstrates how CSR-washing is a deceptive strategy that obstructs achieving sustainability and can 
have serious effects on organisations, consumers, and society. The study concludes that increasing 
consumer demands, immature legislative frameworks such as reluctance to implement labour laws and 
environmental regulation, lack of transparency and accountability, regulatory gaps in host nations, and 
ignoring the holistic concept of sustainability can lead to the practice of CSR-washing in the textile 
industry. It involves corporations claiming to respect fair labour rules while exploiting workers through 
low wages, long hours, and hazardous working conditions. The textile industries may focus on 
environmental sustainability while ignoring labour rights violations, exaggerating performance, engaging 
in harmful activities, and employing deceptive marketing strategies. The study proposes that consumers 
may boycott fashion brands that practice CSR-washing, resulting in financial losses and brand damage. It 
also suggests developing a regulatory framework to identify CSR-washing and implement transparency 
in their policies. While purposeful CSR-washing may damage the social pillars of sustainability, it can 
also raise consumer awareness and lead to more sustainable fashion solutions. This study did not provide 
a further comprehensive analysis of other types of social washing and recommended policies for 
governments or the textile industry organisations to take actions against the practice of CSR-washing. 
Further research is required on the mentioned fields. 
 
10. Reference 
2021 KnowTheChain Apparel & Footwear Benchmark. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.business-

humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/2021-knowthechain-apparel-footwear-benchmark/ 
Alamgir, F., & Banerjee, S. B. (2019). Contested compliance regimes in global production networks: 

Insights from the Bangladesh garment industry. Human Relations, 72(2), 272-297.  

https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/2021-knowthechain-apparel-footwear-benchmark/
https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/2021-knowthechain-apparel-footwear-benchmark/


 
 

 
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Apaolaza, V., Policarpo, M. C., Hartmann, P., Paredes, M. R., & D'Souza, C. (2023). Sustainable clothing: 
Why conspicuous consumption and greenwashing matter. Business strategy and the environment, 
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