Sustainable Performance Model (SPM) for Ghanaian Textile Firms

Purpose: The Sustainable Development Agenda for the year 2030 highlights the worldwide determination to secure a sustainable future by ensuring long-term environmental protection. An investigation was conducted with the objective of creating a Sustainable Performance Model (SPM) that could steer the actions of textile companies in their endeavour to maintain sustainability. Design: The research adopted a pragmatist philosophy and followed a mixed method approach by implementing qualitative and quantitative research techniques to explore Sustainable Performance Model (SPM) which could be used by the textile firms to guide their operations. The study employed descriptive observational and multiple case studies as supporting methods to identify and examine the design and production practices using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) sustainability models, standards, and certification as key indicators. Thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in AMOS was used to analyse the quantitative data. Findings: The results indicate that both theoretical and practical proof of sustainability of offshore textile companies comply with standards and certification as well as employ the best sustainable practices. While domestic textile companies comply with GSA regulations, there are deficiencies in implementing and following global sustainable design and production approaches. Research limitation/implications: Development of a Sustainable Performance Model (SPM) based on the Sustainability Assessment results for Implementation by large-scale Textile Firms in Ghana. Practical Application: The model suggests the need for effective collaboration between the key actors, such as EPA, GSA, Certification Bodies and MOTI with the textile firms. This is expected to provide the firms with more insight into industry best practices, adhere to standards and certification requirements, and comply with the three pillars of sustainability, thereby achieving optimal performance. Social implication: The implementation of the model by Ghanaian textile firms will contribute to a clean and safe environment, greener production processes, improved health and safety of workers, and improvement of product quality. Originality/Value: Based on the findings of the study, a Sustainable Performance Model (SPM) has been developed for textile firms to guide their operations.