Investigating Supply Chain Disruptions and Resilience in the Textile Industry: A Systemic Risk Theory and Dynamic Capability-Based View

Interest in supply chain crises and resilience has recently surged significantly among scholars and practitioners. However, empirical studies that examined supply chain disruptive events, their impacts, and resilience-oriented strategies in complex supply chains such as the textile industry are scarce. The effect of supply chain disruptions further complicates the global textile business operations and affects the sustainability of textile companies, especially in developing economies. To this end, the present study aims to investigate the supply chain disruption drivers and resilience enablers in Pakistan’s textile industry using a multiple-case study approach. Building on the systemic risk theory, the findings reveal the supply chain disruptions related to the pandemic, economy, politics, natural disasters, and geopolitical tensions and their impact on the sustainable development of the textile industry. Further, utilizing the dynamic capability-based view, the findings highlight various supply chain resilience enablers related to the organization, operations, innovation, diversification, digitalization, and stakeholders. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a novel holistic model of supply chain disruption drivers and resilience enablers integrated with the systemic risk theory and dynamic capability-based view theoretical lenses. The study’s findings offer insightful information to help practitioners develop mitigation plans and effectively deploy resilience practices in textile supply chain operations. Additionally, the findings can assist public policymakers in formulating effective policies and improving regulatory frameworks that could facilitate textile companies to address supply chain disruptions in developing nations.