Data to value

: digital product passport in SMEs : how the implementation of the DPP is transforming small and medium-sized fashion companies in Germany

Abstract

This thesis investigates how the implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is transforming small and medium-sized fashion companies in Germany within the EU9s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Using a mixed-methods design, it integrates expert interviews with a consumer survey to analyze organizational readiness and end-user acceptance of DPP-enabled transparency. On the firm side, an analytical lens combining dynamic capabilities, ambidexterity, and the resource-based view assesses how SMEs sense, seize, and reconfigure for DPP adoption; on the consumer side, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) frames perceived usefulness, ease of use, and trust as drivers of intended use. A structured literature review (N = 618) revealed a pronounced empirical gap. The examination of DPP in fashion is the subject of very few studies, with an even smaller number focusing on SMEs. Only a small subset addresses the German/EU context. Building on this gap analysis and the primary data, the thesis maps implementation stages and proposes two adoption paths, compliance-only versus capability-building, highlighting enablers (standards, data governance, supplier integration) and barriers (resource constraints, label fatigue, data credibility). The study contributes actionable guidance for SME managers and industry actors on aligning DPP investments with circularity goals and competitive positioning under ESPR.

Date of Award	17 Oct 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Peter V. Rajsingh (Supervisor)