Supply chain improvement initiatives in the Australian textiles, clothing, footwear and leather industry: a field study

Abstract

This paper examines the findings of a field study on supply chain initiatives in 12 Australian companies. The companies were all recipients of Australian government assistance aimed at enhancing supply chain and global competitiveness in the Textiles, Clothing, Footwear and Leather (TCF&L) industry. The government assistance in this instance concerned Australian-based supply chain initiatives servicing local customers. The findings indicate that an increased strategic and global focus by the supply chain needs to be sustained by adequate information flow, appropriate value-adding processes, with suitable leading technology applications and people-valuing and innovation-fostering company environments. Important too for company prosperity is continuous reduction of waste and cost. The findings further reflect the general instability of trading arrangements in the Australian TCF&L industry as companies and their respective supply chains adjusting, not always with success, to global competition and a shrinking industry infrastructure.