Corporate Social Responsibility and Competitiveness within SMEs of the Fashion Industry: Evidence from Italy and France

Sustainability

Massimo Battaglia²  Francesco Testa²  Lara Bianchi¹  Fabio Iraldo² 

[1]Institute of Management, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa 56127, Italy

关键词: competitiveness;    corporate social responsibility;    fashion industry;    SMEs;    textile;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su6020872

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Our paper analyses the link between the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and competitiveness performance among small and medium enterprises operating in the fashion industry. The study refers to a sample of 213 SMEs (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) located in Italy and France and is based on a correlation analysis between competitiveness variables and the CSR practice adopted. The results show a significant correlation with regard to the innovation process, both from the technical and the organizational point of view, and the intangible performances. On the other hand, another competitiveness macro-category, which is the market performance (measured as demand trend, turnover and business attraction), presents deceptive results, although a positive correlation with the adoption of market-oriented CSR practice emerges. The study is explorative and represents a relevant basis to future studies concerning the nature of the emerged co-relations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.