A study of sustainability in Spanish fashion companies through the GRI standards

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-1105

Keywords:

sustainability, GRI, fashion, SDGs, ESG criteria, sustainable reports, standars, Spain

Abstract

Introduction: Sustainability concerns directly affect the textile sector, being one of the most polluting sectors worldwide. This sector must transform itself without compromising its profitability, integrating sustainability in environmental, social and corporate welfare terms. Methodology: The aim of this research is to analyse the institutional commitment of Spanish fashion companies to sustainability. A content analysis of the 2022 sustainability reports of the 10 Spanish textile companies with the highest turnover, according to Forbes, is carried out. This analysis identifies the inclusion in the reports of the most relevant GRI standards for the sector. Results: Only Mango and Inditex comply with these standards, while Mayoral is the least compliant. Discussions and conclusions: Larger companies with greater resources tend to comply better with these standards, due to the help of specialized consultancies. Sustainability reports are shown to be solid commitments to stakeholders, essential for achieving the SDGs. The need to improve transparency and the adoption of sustainable practices is highlighted, underlining the importance of corporate sustainability and its impact on business management and stakeholder perceptions.

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Author Biographies

Carmen Cristófol Rodríguez, University of Malaga

PhD in Communication Sciences from the University of Malaga, Expert in Communication and Organisation of Institutional Events and Degree in Advertising and Public Relations, as well as Master in Commercial Management and Marketing Management and Higher Sales Programme from ESIC. Her research area is focused on the fashion sector and digital communication. She is currently a lecturer at the University of Malaga, and has taught at the Villanueva University Centre, the International University of La Rioja and the European University of Madrid. For more than 17 years she has worked in the advertising department of Cadena Ser both locally and nationally.

Eduardo Villena-Alarcón, University of Malaga

PhD in Organisational Communication, he holds a degree in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Malaga. He is currently University Lecturer in the Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising at the University of Malaga. Author of more than 30 scientific publications, he is a member of the research project: ‘Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad en la Comunicación Comercial de Moda’ and IP in the research project: ‘Sostenibilidad de la moda en el Metaverso’. His main line of research revolves around fashion communication in virtual scenarios.

Luis Manuel Cerdá-Suárez, International University of La Rioja

His areas of work include marketing, neuromarketing, market research, business processes, leadership and business administration, information technologies and business management systems in general. In addition, he has been a visiting professor in postdoctoral agreements with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and has given courses and conferences in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, Chile and Portugal. He has received several national and international awards in recognition of his research work, accredited with two Sexenios de Investigación by the Comisión Nacional Evaluadora de la Actividad Investigadora de la Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación (ANECA) (National Research Activity Evaluation Commission of the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation).

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Published

2024-10-21

How to Cite

Cristófol Rodríguez, C., Villena-Alarcón, E., & Cerdá-Suárez, L. M. (2024). A study of sustainability in Spanish fashion companies through the GRI standards. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 9, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-1105

Issue

Vol. 9 (2024)

Section

INNOVATING IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

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Copyright (c) 2024 Carmen Cristófol-Rodríguez (Autor de Correspondencia); Eduardo Villena-Alarcón, Luis Manuel Cerdá-Suárez

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