Higg Index Learning Board Game

Abstract: The background of this project is the need of a better understanding of what sustainable development is and what tools can be used in the fashion supply chain to decrease its ecological footprint. For that purpose the researchers have endeavored to create a new learning board game for fashion industry students that could teach them the basic principles of sustainability and Higg Index. The developed Higg Index Board Game is part of the collaborative work of Swedish School of Textiles and Sustainable Apparel Coalition. The study about the teaching effect of the new game was carried out with a quasi-experimental design and comprised two workshops with the master students from the Swedish School of Textiles as participants. The first workshop was conducted to analyze the principles and environment of the Lean Game that served as a basis for the new game. After that the researchers elaborated the structure and rules for the new game with help of the game-theory and conducted a trial testing of the game to exclude possible basic errors. The Higg Index modules were integrated in the structure of the game in the form of facilities and product-choices that could affect the economy of the game. The second workshop was devoted to playing the new Higg Index Game and evaluating its sustainability teaching effect. The participants were tested with pre- and post-test questionnaires and also observed by the researchers under their discussions during the game. The tests analysis showed that the Higg Index Game teaches lean philosophy, fashion supply chain’s entity and hot spots, and to some extent sustainability and the Higg Index’ function. After playing the game the participants increased their knowledge about sustainability by 10,1%. The researchers concluded that the game can become a teaching module in the sustainability education programs for fashion and textile students and other stakeholders - academics, managers, consultants etc., but needs some further development. Thus, in this study the Higg Index Game is presented as a prototype for future improvements.