RT Journal Article
T1 Road to sustainability with green practices: a look at SMEs in the textile-fashion industry in Spain
A1 Real, Juan C.
A1 Cepeda-Carrión, Ignacio
A1 Pérez-Bou, Silvia
K1 GSCM practices
K1 Sustainable performance
K1 SME
K1 PLS-SEM
K1 Textile-fashion sector
AB Purpose – This study aims to examine the relationship between internal and external green supply chain management (GSCM) practices implemented by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textilefashionindustry in Spain. It investigates how these practices influence the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability performance.Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a survey-based methodology with a sample of 161 SMEs with a minimum of ten employees. Data analysis was conducted using the partial least squares structuralequation modeling technique to evaluate the impact of internal and external GSCM practices on sustainability performance.Findings – The results indicate that internal GSCM practices (green production, green logistics, internal environmental management, eco-design and green packaging) do not directly influence economic and socialperformance but have a positive impact on environmental performance. In contrast, external GSCM practices (reverse logistics, environmental cooperation with suppliers and customers and green purchasing) positivelyaffect economic and social performance but do not significantly contribute to environmental performance. Additionally, external GSCM practices mediate the relationship between internal GSCM practices andeconomic and social sustainability, enhancing their overall impact.Originality/value – This research contributes to the understanding of how internal and external GSCM practices function in SMEs, emphasizing the role of external practices in mediating economic and social sustainability. Itprovides empirical evidence on the different roles played by these practices in achieving sustainability, offering valuable insights for managers and policymakers in the textile-fashion industry.
PB Emerald
YR 2025
FD 2025-11-18
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/25139
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/25139
LA en
NO European Business Review, Vol.37, Nº6, pp. 1040–1072
NO Funding: Proyectos I+D+i FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020. Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento, Junta de Andalucía, Research project US-1264451.
NO Departamento de Organización de Empresas y Marketing
DS RIO
RD Apr 17, 2026