The fashion industry, one of the largest industries in the world, is a complicated phenomenon, driven by aspirations of symbolic lifestyle and the creativity of architecture and design. It pushes the use of natural resources to its limits by mass production and a low-cost structure that motivates consumerism at large. The purpose of this study is to explore corporate social responsibility and how it influences sustainability within the fashion industry. A systematic literature review was carried out. This encompassed the academic publications available in two scientific databases focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and fashion, covering the period 2003–2019. The findings indicate that the CSR approach taken by managers within the fashion industry is focused on sustainability, business models, and/or supply chain innovation, with commitments undertaken concerning the economy, environment, and/or society, wherein the production of eco-friendly products and workers’ safety are emphasized. Actions that tie CSR and sustainability with companies’ actions are presented in a micro-meso-macro framework, where brand equity, culture, supply chain management, activism, and human rights are evident. The findings of the study are relevant for academia, practitioners, and policymakers, as they provide insight into the operations and impacts of domestic and multinational fashion companies, outlining the most relevant studies on the topic, and also highlighting research trends and gaps in the field.

Production, marketing, and consumption of fashion products result in negative environmental impacts due to the massive production volume of fashion items. However, there is limited literature on how the fashion industry integrates sustainability-related practices into business models, how sustainability is measured within the business models, or what drives the sustainability-emphasis of the fashion industry. Therefore, it is consequential to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature concerning how the fashion industry integrates sustainability into business models, if and how sustainability-related practices are measured to ensure transparency and lead to improvements, and to recognize what drives sustainability in fashion business models. The key aspects regarding sustainability integration into business models include organization values, entrepreneurship, innovation, and internationalization processes. With regards to measurement of impacts and reporting, it is evident that Corporate Social Responsibility, the Global Reporting Initiative, and the Apparel and Footwear Sector Supplement are of relevance for the industry, mainly with regards to the supply chain. The drivers influencing sustainability practices are government and regulatory pressure, market pressure, closed-loop pressure, value creation, innovation, equity, authenticity, functionality, localism, and exclusivity. The findings are of relevance both for academia and the fashion industry, as the paper provides evidence on what has already been studied by academia, but also highlights a need for further studies on the fashion industry with regards to sustainability practices. This paper; therefore, opens a path for academics to consider empirical studies on how to investigate the sustainability strategies of fashion businesses, elements of fashion business models, driving forces influencing actions, measurements, key performance indicators, transparency, and disclosure, just to name a few examples.

Purpose: This study aims to explore how sustainable business models reshape, and are reshaped by, the boundaries of efficiency, power, competence and identity in the fashion industry. Moreover, it provides new insights into the challenges emerging from redesigning the fenceposts of existing business models. Design/methodology/approach: The paper utilises an industry-level study from the Nordic fashion industry, drawing on primary and secondary data. Findings: The findings demonstrate that sustainable fashion business models challenge the boundaries of power with the idea of production quotas to enhance sustainability and reduce waste. These quotas, aimed at improving environmental practices, might create uncertainty in recycling policies, impacting fashion industry environmental efforts and societal sustainability expectations. The paradox within the industry’s efforts to reshape its identity involves promoting responsible consumption through repair services while driving mass consumption with frequent seasonal releases. Research limitations/implications: Managerial implications highlight the importance of prioritising sustainability to enhance efficiency, drive positive change, develop competencies and shape brand identity. This study contributes to the existing literature by introducing a novel boundary-oriented perspective for evaluating sustainable fashion business models. Practical implications: This study contributes to the existing literature by introducing a novel boundary-oriented perspective for evaluating sustainable fashion business models. Originality/value: This study offers empirical evidence based on an industry-level study from the fashion industry. It provides a new perspective by analysing the context of how sustainable business models reshape and are reshaped by organisational boundaries in the fashion industry.