| This research sought to explore sustainable practices by financially successful apparel companies with the intention of developing a timeline for implementation of ethical and environmentally conscious behavior. Examining financially successful companies who support sustainable practices can encourage other businesses to follow their lead and governments to formulate policies aimed towards sustainable development. For the purpose of the study, a qualitative analysis was conducted on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports of four financially successful multinational apparel companies to explore the environmental and social efforts to understand sustainability initiatives over time. Data analysis revealed six major themes where companies implement sustainability initiatives: reduction of energy use & consumption, development of technology & infrastructure, reduction of negative impact of chemicals on the environment, textile waste reduction, other efforts for conservation & use of alternatives, and social responsibility. Data revealed that each area could be broken down into sub-themes that further described sustainable practices adopted by these financially successful apparel companies. During the initial stages of sustainability implementation, simple steps were taken to increase sustainable business practices. As the companies progressed, companies utilized innovative technology to implement sustainability throughout the supply chain. Data were organized in five-year increments to gain an overall timeline of sustainability implementation labeled as four phases: Launch, Evolve, Advance, and Progress, hereby referred to as L.E.A.P. This research makes sustainability understandable and attainable through the L.E.A.P. process.;Keywords: apparel, sustainability, economic, environment, social. |
