Abstract:

A uniform is distinctive clothing worn by members of the same firm or organisation. In China, the market for professional garments is extremely large. However, as mandatory professional clothing, uniforms are frequently used, torn, and replaced, leading to textile waste. Further, the use of non-recyclable or non-biodegradable fabrics is bound to create greater environmental pressure. This study focuses on the textile material in the uniform market to analyse the motivational conditions behind sustainable fabric consumption. A total of 294 usable online surveys were obtained in 2019. Multi-item scales were adopted to measure five variables: corporate public image, corporate ethics, employee social status, environment awareness, and sustainable premium. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the hypothesises. Results reveal that the improvement of an employee’s social status can effectively facilitate the probability of utilising eco-friendly fabrics. This study can thus help increase the usage of eco-friendly fabric in China’s uniform market.