Green nexus womenpreneurs: harnessing internal-external capabilities for sustainable MSMEs fashion

Purpose This study aims to analyze the capabilities and external conditions of womenpreneur owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Fashion EcoPrint Indonesia in green business practices and their implications for sustainable business performance. Design/methodology/approach This study chooses a quantitative approach with a sustainable business internal-external capability model. Using the structural equation modeling-partial least square analysis tool, the analysis was conducted on a sample of womenpreneurs who owned MSMEs EcoPrint Indonesia (n = 493). Findings In the internal capability dimension, total quality environment and green core competence affect green supply chain management, affecting green product innovation performance. Meanwhile, women entrepreneurs’ external capability dimensions (regulation, customer awareness of the environment and technological innovation infrastructure) are connected to sustainable development business capabilities, which affect the performance of green process innovation. The study confirms that green products and processes have the potential to influence sustainable business performance. A key finding is the strong influence of environment-based total quality management governance on both sides. At the same time, womenpreneurs have a significant impact on their respective dimensions. Research limitations/implications This study has implications for increasing competency, Sustainable MSME industrial infrastructure, and protecting women in developing countries. The theoretical implications of creating a model that examines the impact of womenpreneurs’ internal and external abilities on eco-friendly businesses’ success are significant for developing nations’ promising growth. Originality/value This study explores women’s contributions to family well-being and environment-based economies, focusing on eco-friendly supply chain management and sustainable external capabilities of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia, using a gender equality approach in developing economies.