Exploring the ISO-56002:2019 Certification as an Enabler of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI) in the Textile Industry

Sustainability and innovation are strongly interlinked and have become crucial factors to let companies gain a competitive advantage and overcome the limitations of the current economy by applying more sustainable practices. However, introducing sustainable innovations just occasionally is no longer sufficient for companies to endure in the market and the only viable way is to pursue continuous sustainable innovation, which has been defined by the literature as Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI). A useful tool that has the potential to empower the synergy between sustainability and innovation can be the Innovation Management System (IMS). This paper aims to understand what are the main factors enabling the implementation of the ISO-56002:2019 IMS within SOI-oriented organizations and which is the role of the IMS in the relationship between sustainability and innovation. To this end, Collaborative Methodology Research (CMR) has been used, involving a team made by both researchers and executives of an Italian textile company. The outcome of the first phases of the research suggested that the ISO certification can have a role in implementing SOI within a firm and that the effective introduction of a standardized Innovation Management System within an SOI oriented organization can enhance SOI enablers. The contribution revolves around 1) enriching knowledge on the role of certifications as possible enablers of SOI; 2) discussing methods, tools, challenges, and possible benefits of introducing and implementing an IMS within an SOI oriented manufacturing company.