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Employer Branding in the Fashion Industry: CSR Actions by Fashion SMEs

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  • Krisztina Szegedi

    (Department of International Commerce and Logistics, Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Impacts in Business and Society, Budapest Business School, H-1055 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Tamás Németh

    (Department of Management, Budapest Business School, H-1055 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Dorina Körtvési

    (Doctoral School of Entrepreneurship and Business, Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Impacts in Business and Society, Budapest Business School, H-1055 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

Little is known about SMEs’ perceptions of CSR, sustainability, and business ethics, particularly in the fashion industry. We have even less information on the relationship between SMEs’ CSR actions and employer branding. This important knowledge gap is addressed in this study. We intend to focus on how small and medium-sized enterprises that are operating and considered sustainable in the fashion industry interpret the concept of sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and business ethics, which CSR elements appear in relation to employees, and how they contribute to employer branding. In the course of our qualitative research, we conducted semistructured, in-depth interviews with the owners and managers of 10 European businesses, bearing sustainability in mind. Our results show that the organisational culture and the reputation perceived by a wide range of stakeholders are the most essential elements of employer branding, which promotes employees’ commitment to sustainable fashion enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Krisztina Szegedi & Tamás Németh & Dorina Körtvési, 2023. "Employer Branding in the Fashion Industry: CSR Actions by Fashion SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:1827-:d:1039536
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