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

Massimo Battaglia, Francesco Testa, Lara Bianchi, Fabio Iraldo and Marco Frey
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Massimo Battaglia: Institute of Management, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa 56127, Italy
Francesco Testa: Institute of Management, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa 56127, Italy
Lara Bianchi: Institute of Management, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa 56127, Italy
Fabio Iraldo: Institute of Management, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa 56127, Italy

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 2, 1-22

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: competitiveness; corporate social responsibility; fashion industry; SMEs; textile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (46)

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