ABSTRACT This study presents a systematic review of new product development (NPD) in the textile and fashion industry, conducted through bibliometric techniques and thematic synthesis under the PRISMA 2020 protocol. By combining performance analysis, science mapping, and qualitative coding, the research aims to clarify how the literature has addressed sustainability in relation to new product design and innovation, with specific attention to the evolution of research streams, the barriers and enablers of circular business models, and the role of consumer engagement and digital technologies in fostering trust, transparency, and process innovation. The findings reveal three major trajectories: (i) growing attention to consumer engagement and communication strategies to enhance awareness and trust; (ii) increasing diffusion of circular business models, still challenged by internal resistance and systemic constraints; and (iii) the expanding use of digital technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to enable traceability, reuse, and innovation in production and distribution. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive framework that integrates communication, circular economy, and digitalization, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications for aligning sustainability objectives with product innovation strategies.
Ricciardi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.