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Lean or agile: A solution for supply chain management in the textiles and clothing industry?

Margaret Bruce (Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK)
Lucy Daly (Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK)
Neil Towers (Textiles and Paper Science, UMIST, Manchester, UK)

International Journal of Operations & Production Management

ISSN: 0144-3577

Article publication date: 1 February 2004

38256

Abstract

The textiles and apparel industry has been neglected in terms of supply chain management research. Recently, the industry has undergone a great deal of change, particularly with global sourcing and high levels of price competition. In addition, textiles and clothing has market characteristics, such as short product lifecycle, high volatility, low predictability, and a high level of impulse purchase, making such issues as quick response of paramount importance. This article discusses characteristics of the textiles and apparel industry and identifies the perspectives of lean, agile and leagility (a combination of these) within existing supply chain literature, which have been proffered as solutions to achieving quick response and reduced lead times. Through case studies of textile and apparel companies, different approaches to supply chain management are illustrated.

Keywords

Citation

Bruce, M., Daly, L. and Towers, N. (2004), "Lean or agile: A solution for supply chain management in the textiles and clothing industry?", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 151-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570410514867

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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