## 4 Results and Discussion on the Survey
### Detailed Analysis of the Survey Using Chi-Square Analysis

Table 23: Contingency and expected frequencies table—question 18. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l l l l l} \hline \hline
**Barrier** & **North** & \begin{tabular}{l} **North** \\ **(Expected)** \\ \end{tabular} & **Center** & \
\begin{tabular}{l} **Center** \\ **(Expected)** \\ \end{tabular} & **South** &
\begin{tabular}{l} **South** \\ **(Expected)** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline Organizational & 0.46 & 0.25 & 0.21 & 0.05 & 0.32 & 0.07 \\ Supply chain & 0.53 & 0.29 & 0.21 & 0.05 & 0.26 & 0.06 \\ Financial & 0.57 & 0.31 & 0.07 & 0.02 & 0.36 & 0.08 \\ Technological & 0.30 & 0.16 & 0.10 & 0.02 & 0.60 & 0.14 \\ Market related & 0.55 & 0.30 & 0.15 & 0.03 & 0.30 & 0.07 \\ Customer driven & 0.53 & 0.29 & 0.32 & 0.07 & 0.16 & 0.04 \\ Governmental & 0.60 & 0.32 & 0.10 & 0.02 & 0.30 & 0.07 \\ Other & 0.75 & 0.40 & 0.25 & 0.06 & 0.00 & 0.00 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 22: Contingency and expected frequencies table—question 17.  
than the chi-square critical value 21.026. This means that there is no significant relationship between the geographical location of companies and services that companies think are necessary to increase circularity and sustainability. The results of the survey provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of sustainability practices in the Italian textile sector, highlighting both the advancements and challenges faced by companies. The key aspects identified in the survey offer valuable insights into the most commonly adopted sustainable practices, the barriers hindering broader adoption, and the specific needs of companies in terms of services and support. Additionally, the survey sheds light on regional differences, emphasizing the role of national policies in reducing geographical disparities. Table 24 summarizes the most relevant findings from the survey, offering a detailed snapshot of the sector's efforts towards circularity and sustainability. This study provides an updated and detailed overview of sustainability practices in the Italian textile sector, significantly contributing to the academic debate on the application of the circular economy in this field. The collected information reveals how companies are addressing the adoption of circular models, highlighting not only the progress made but also the challenges that remain, such as the limited adoption of advanced technologies and economic and organizational difficulties. In this way, the work enriches the academic discussion, offering new insights into sustainable practices in the textile sector. The manuscript also proves to be an important resource for guiding political and industrial decisions. The collected data can be used to create targeted policies that support businesses in the transition to a circular economy, with tax incentives and financial support that could alleviate the economic difficulties faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises. The policies suggested by the study could help overcome the main barriers, such as the high costs of sustainable technologies and the lack of market demand for sustainable products, thus promoting a wider adoption of green practices in the textile sector. The contribution of this study extends to strengthening the dialogue between the scientific community and the industrial sector. By identifying the main needs of businesses, such as sustainability training and the introduction of traceability systems, the study fosters collaboration between researchers, companies, and institutions, which is essential for developing practical and applicable solutions. This dialogue is fundamental for promoting innovation and improving sustainability practices, thus accelerating the transition to a circular economic model in the textile sector.