Information Technology for Managing the Textile Apparel Chain: Current Use, Shortcomings and Development Directions

Information technology (IT) is a critical factor in textile apparel supply chain management. This paper seeks to offer a contribution to help understand both the applications and the problem areas of the IT portfolio within the textile apparel industry, in the light of the key competitive factors for the chain. Adopting a perspective that takes into account the whole textile apparel chain, the study reported here sought to identify users’ requirements and perceptions and their awareness of three fundamental processes: design; production planning and order cycle; and process control. The study was based on data and opinions gathered by the authors from 38 Italian firms selected from among those in the forefront of IT adoption. It was found that quality improvement and lead time reduction are the key competitive factors for all the actors within the chain. Current use, shortcomings and possible future uses of IT differ in relation to the three processes considered and to the chain phase. However, IT systems are commonly seen as the means through which greater integration between the operations of the different firms active in this sector can be achieved.