Fashion Futures: A Role-Playing Exercise in Sustainable Stakeholder Negotiations

This article presents an innovative experiential learning exercise designed to engage undergraduate students in the complex challenges of sustainable fashion. The exercise employs a role-playing simulation that immerses students in stakeholder negotiations, fostering a deep understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding sustainability in the fashion industry. Grounded in stakeholder theory and environmental ethics and aligned with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) i5 Playbook, the activity encourages students to explore the tensions between economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. Participants assume roles representing key stakeholders, and through structured rounds of position development, policy negotiation, and evaluation, students grapple with real-world challenges that help develop critical thinking skills, enhance their understanding of stakeholder management, and gain practical experience in collaborative problem-solving. This exercise contributes to management education by offering a hands-on approach to teaching sustainability concepts, preparing future business leaders to navigate the complexities of implementing sustainable practices in a global industry.