Study analyzes core topic for the sustainable success of textile SMEs in Spain
Professor Silvia Pérez Bou, together with other authors, has just published a graduate paper "Road to sustainability with green practices: a look at SMEs in the textile-fashion industry in Spain".
18 | 09 | 2025
Silvia Pérez Bou, professor of Sustainability at ISEM, has participated together with Professor Ignacio Cepeda-Carrión, in a study published in European Business Review, led by Professor Juan Carlos Real. In it, they analyze how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and fashion sector in Spain are implementing internal and external practices in the supply chain, and what impact they have on the sustainability of the business, in the economic, environmental and social dimensions.
The study sample how not all "green" practices have the same effect on company performance. According to the authors, "Internal practices alone are not enough to achieve full sustainable performance, as they are not direct antecedents of economic and social improvement; it is the combination with external ones that really makes the difference."
agreement to the research, companies can adopt two types of sustainable practices that, when combined, generate a greater impact. On the one hand, there are internal practices, which include eco-design, producing more manager, managing waste correctly or using more environmentally friendly packaging; these actions help the environment, although they do not have a direct impact on revenues or on the company's relationship with society.
On the other hand, external practices that connect the business with its environment: collaborating with suppliers and customers, making responsible purchases and recovering used products through reverse logistics; these do improve economic and social results, although their environmental effect is not as strong.
The core topic lies in the combination of both. By integrating internal and external actions, companies are able to transform their environmental efforts into real benefits for Economics and society, while reinforcing their commitment to the planet.
SMEs are very important, representing almost 100% of all fashion companies in Europe, which makes them key players in the shift towards a more competitive and more manager industry. As the study points out: "SMEs are core topic to transform fashion towards more sustainable, innovative and circular models".
The researchers recommend that managers adopt a step-by-step approach : first strengthen their internal systems and environmental capabilities, and then broaden the partnership with suppliers, customers and other value chain actors. Only then can comprehensive economic, social and environmental improvements be achieved.
At a time of uncertainty, with European regulations becoming increasingly stringent and consumers demanding sustainable fashion, this study offers a guide internship for SMEs to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage.
