Purpose of this paper:
While strategies like nearshoring, digitalization and small order sizes are expected to support resilience in the textile and apparel industry, literature suggests complex implications of small-series production in high-cost contexts on risk exposure. The purpose of the paper is to understand the how supply network configuration related to small-series production models influence resilience, in EU’s textile and apparel industry amidst COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach:
A multiple case study is presented, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with seven case companies representing different types of small-series production models. The analysis of risk exposure draws from supply network configuration literature, to identify the implications of small-series production model structures and reconfigurations on resilience.
Findings:
Product and operations characteristics are more often resilience enablers, whereas priorities/performance (sustainability, innovation, delivery), and supply chains (relationships, locations) can both enable and impede resilience in the face of both external and internal supply chain risks. These findings thus confirm the benefits of such small-series production models for mitigating, adapting to, and withstanding risks emerging from COVID-19 situation.
Value:
The supply network configuration-based framework adopted in the study enabled analysis of the implications of small-series production and its configuration on resilience (and associated risk exposure), which can support future reconfigurations.
Research limitations/implications:
Future research can complement this study with quantitative measures of resilience, and comparisons with other industry and location contexts. Additionally, in-depth case studies can address how companies balance positive and negative impacts of small-series supply network configuration on resilience.
Practical implications:
Managers can be aware of enabling and challenging effects of small-series production model priorities and performance goals, location and relationships, when configuring or reconfiguring structures in response to risks.
2022.
Supply chain resilience, Supply network configuration, Small-series production, High-cost contexts