Partnerships for Sustainable Change in Cotton: An Institutional Analysis of African Cases

Verena Bitzer*, Pieter Glasbergen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This article examines intersectoral partnerships formed to promote sustainable cotton production and the extent to which such partnerships are facilitated or constrained by their institutional environment. Based on an analysis of five partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa, this article shows that institutional factors create both opportunities and obstacles for partnership implementation which are inextricably linked to their adoption of particular farming strategies and sustainability standards. In general, these institutional factors tend to facilitate the implementation of partnerships using contract farming and mainstream sustainability standards, and hinder those adopting cooperative farming methods and organic standards.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)223-240
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Business Ethics
Volume93
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Africa
  • cotton
  • institutional factors
  • partnerships
  • sustainability
  • ETHICAL TRADE
  • BUSINESS
  • INDUSTRY
  • SECTOR
  • LABOR
  • RESPONSIBILITY
  • INITIATIVES
  • STANDARDS
  • SYSTEMS

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