University of Rhode Island

Biography

Saheli Goswami, Ph.D. in Human Environmental Sciences – Textile and Apparel Management from the University of Missouri, joined the TMD Department in the College of Business at URI in 2017. Trained and expert in Organizational Change and Digital Globe, her research has centered on the need for effective management strategies for corporations, sustainability, and their impact on stakeholders, for a responsible textile and apparel supply chain. Her scholarship has received numerous awards including the Best Paper Award (Doctoral category) and Paper of Distinction award (Consumer Behavior track) from the International Textile and Apparel Association.

At URI, she teaches research methods and courses related to textiles, sustainability, and branding. She has received two competitive grants from Cotton Incorporated, to teach and inspire future leaders with resources and research on how to develop and market superior, innovative, and profitable cotton products. She also mentored her graduate student advisee to win first place in a competitive national-level business plan competition for the Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices. Before returning to academia, she worked for three years as a Merchandiser in the leather and apparel industry in India for clients such as Li & Fung, Next, House of Fraser, and Marks & Spencer.

Saheli is a member and committee chair for the International Textile and Apparel Association and serves on the editorial board for the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. She is also a member of the American Apparel & Footwear Association and American Marketing Association. She also oversees the Sustainability Minor at the College of Business.

Research

Saheli takes an ethical responsibility-driven approach, both socially and morally, and concentrated on personal and business areas in the supply chain to pave the path for a truly sustainable one. She is particularly interested in the alignment of business goals and actions to the needs of stakeholders, and support the Sustainable Development Goals within the industry. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the fashion industry, my research stems from my collective training in business, organizational change and conflict management, and global studies, to explore and investigate the role of businesses and stakeholders towards a sustainable industry.
Her research examines corporate actions and communications related to their sustainability, their system of stakeholder capitalism, and the influence of the external environment on these to understand how such influence stakeholders’ perspectives as well as the individual, group, and organizational interactions. She uses both qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry as essential research paths in her work.

Education

Ph.D., Human Environmental Sciences, Textile and Apparel Management, University of Missouri, 2017.
M.S., Textile and Apparel Management, University of Missouri, 2014.
Graduate Certificate in Organizational Change, The Truman School, University of Missouri, 2017.
Graduate Certificate in Center for Digital Globe, University of Missouri, 2017.
B.S., Apparel Production, National Institute of Fashion Technology, India, 2009.

Selected Publications

Goswami, S., & Bhaduri, G. (2021). Investigating the direct and indirect effects of perceived corporate hypocrisy on turnover intentions. Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, 1-15. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20932685.2021.1893782

Goswami, S., Ha-Brookshire, J., & Bonifay, W. (2018). Measuring Perceived Corporate Hypocrisy: Scale Development in the Context of US Retail Employees. Sustainability, 10(12), 4756. doi: 10.3390/su10124756

Goswami, S., & Ha-Brookshire, J. E. (2016). Exploring US Retail Employees’ Experiences of Corporate Hypocrisy. Organization Management Journal, 13(3), 168-178. doi: 10.1080/15416518.2016.1214064

Goswami, S., & Ha-Brookshire, J. (2015). From compliance to a growth strategy: Exploring historical transformation of corporate sustainability. Journal of Global Responsibility, 6(2), 246-261. doi: 10.1108/JGR-04-2015-0005

Press Mentions

Women's Wear Daily (October 18, 2016): http://wwd.com/retail-news/trends-analysis/university-study-retail-working-conditions-10677704/ 

Business IN Vancouver (October 24, 2016): http://cirh.streamon.fm/listen-pl-5695 

Business News Daily (October 23, 2016): http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9504-corporate-hypocrisy-employee-morale.html