The textile and apparel (T&A) industry is a key global economic sector but faces persistent issues related to environmental impact and labor conditions, largely due to complex and fragmented supply chains. In response to increasing demands for more transparent, resilient, and sustainable models, this study explores the potential of short supply chains (SSCs) as alternative approaches to support sustainability in the T&A sector. SSCs, originally developed in the food industry, are characterized by four proximity dimensions, geographical, organizational, relational and informational. While SSCs have demonstrated sustainability benefits in the food sector, their applicability to the T&A industry remains largely underexplored. This study contributes to this gap through a qualitative multiple case study of T&A companies engaged in localized production and strong stakeholder relationships. It investigates how the four proximity dimensions are interpreted and applied in T&A supply chains and how SSCs relate to environmental, social and economic sustainability outcomes. The findings confirm that SSCs can be effectively adapted to the specific characteristics of the T&A industry. While the four proximity dimensions remain relevant, they require sector-specific adaptations. The analysis identifies four distinct SSC clusters, each defined by different combinations and intensities of proximity. These clusters reveal that SSCs in T&A reflect a range of strategic structures shaped by company objectives, market positioning and structural constraints. Overall, the study suggests that SSCs can serve as enablers of more sustainable supply chain models in the T&A industry, provided they are supported by deliberate and responsible corporate decisions. The study contributes theoretically by adapting the concept of SSC to a new industrial context and practically by offering guidance to companies seeking to redesign their supply chains with sustainability in mind. Although no direct causal link between individual proximity dimensions and sustainability performance is established, the study highlights how SSCs can foster environmental, social and economic benefits in T&A supply chains.
L’industria tessile e dell’abbigliamento (T&A) rappresenta un settore economico globale di grande rilevanza, ma continua a confrontarsi con problematiche legate all’impatto ambientale e alle condizioni di lavoro, principalmente a causa di supply chain complesse e frammentate. In risposta alla crescente domanda di modelli più trasparenti, resilienti e sostenibili, questo studio esplora il potenziale delle filiere corte (Short Supply Chains, SSC) come approcci alternativi per promuovere la sostenibilità nel settore T&A. Le SSC, inizialmente sviluppate nel settore agroalimentare, sono caratterizzate da quattro dimensioni di prossimità: geografica, organizzativa, relazionale e informativa. Sebbene le SSCs abbiano già dimostrato vantaggi in termini di sostenibilità nel settore alimentare, la loro applicabilità all’industria T&A è poco esplorata. Questo studio contribuisce a colmare tale lacuna attraverso un’analisi qualitativa su casi aziendali che adottano produzione localizzata e forti relazioni con gli stakeholder. Lo studio esamina come le quattro dimensioni di prossimità vengano interpretate e applicate nelle filiere nel T&A e in che modo le SSCs si colleghino alla sostenibilità ambientale, sociale ed economica. I risultati confermano l’adattabilità delle SSCs al T&A, pur richiedendo adattamenti specifici. Sono stati individuati quattro cluster distinti di SSC, caratterizzati da diverse combinazioni e intensità delle prossimità, modellati da obiettivi aziendali, posizionamento di mercato e vincoli strutturali. Inoltre lo studio evidenzia come le SSCs possano abilitare modelli di filiera più sostenibili nel T&A, se supportate da scelte aziendali consapevoli. Il contributo teorico consiste nell’adattare il concetto delle SSC a un nuovo contesto industriale, mentre quello pratico si traduce in indicazioni concrete per le aziende che intendono ripensare le proprie supply chain in ottica di sostenibilità. Pur non emergendo un legame causale diretto tra le singole dimensioni di prossimità e la performance di sostenibilità, la tesi evidenzia come le SSCs possano promuovere benefici ambientali, sociali ed economici nelle filiere del T&A.
Short supply chains in the textile and apparel industry: proximity dimensions and sustainability implications
Giardi, Vittoria
2024/2025
Abstract
The textile and apparel (T&A) industry is a key global economic sector but faces persistent issues related to environmental impact and labor conditions, largely due to complex and fragmented supply chains. In response to increasing demands for more transparent, resilient, and sustainable models, this study explores the potential of short supply chains (SSCs) as alternative approaches to support sustainability in the T&A sector. SSCs, originally developed in the food industry, are characterized by four proximity dimensions, geographical, organizational, relational and informational. While SSCs have demonstrated sustainability benefits in the food sector, their applicability to the T&A industry remains largely underexplored. This study contributes to this gap through a qualitative multiple case study of T&A companies engaged in localized production and strong stakeholder relationships. It investigates how the four proximity dimensions are interpreted and applied in T&A supply chains and how SSCs relate to environmental, social and economic sustainability outcomes. The findings confirm that SSCs can be effectively adapted to the specific characteristics of the T&A industry. While the four proximity dimensions remain relevant, they require sector-specific adaptations. The analysis identifies four distinct SSC clusters, each defined by different combinations and intensities of proximity. These clusters reveal that SSCs in T&A reflect a range of strategic structures shaped by company objectives, market positioning and structural constraints. Overall, the study suggests that SSCs can serve as enablers of more sustainable supply chain models in the T&A industry, provided they are supported by deliberate and responsible corporate decisions. The study contributes theoretically by adapting the concept of SSC to a new industrial context and practically by offering guidance to companies seeking to redesign their supply chains with sustainability in mind. Although no direct causal link between individual proximity dimensions and sustainability performance is established, the study highlights how SSCs can foster environmental, social and economic benefits in T&A supply chains.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2025_07_Giardi_Tesi_01.pdf
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/240822