Resilience components of the supply chain in the apparel sector of Pakistan throughout COVID-19
Keywords:
Supply chain resilience, Resilience, Supply chain management, Covid-19, Pandemic, Disruption, SPSS, Quantitative researchAbstract
This study examines the significant impact of COVID-19 on Pakistan's apparel industry, which has faced severe challenges due to global supply chain disruptions and the cancellation of $2.1 billion in export orders by major international buyers. As a key contributor to Pakistan's economy and a major source of employment, especially for women, the apparel sector has been severely strained, with brands like H&M and Walmart reducing business. This has led to factory closures and widespread job losses. Using an explanatory research design and deductive approach, the study focuses on supply chain resilience in the garment sector during the pandemic. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire targeting HR and administrative personnel familiar with company policies and strategies. A sample of 150 respondents was surveyed to assess vulnerabilities, operational sustainability, capabilities, and supply chain resilience. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 26), supported by data from newspapers, online sources, and observations. A pilot study confirmed the reliability of the questionnaire. The study highlights the need for greater collaboration among governments, international buyers, and textile organizations to support the industry during crises. It also identifies the health risks faced by workers and emphasizes the importance of policy measures such as stronger labor protections and continued government support. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry leaders to enhance resilience and sustainability in the global garment industry.
References
Agha, A. A., Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Khan, S., & Khan, U. (2021). Antecedents of Customer Loyalty at Telecomm Sector. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(9), 1352-1374. https://www.tojqi.net/index.php/journal/article/view/5873/4175
Ahmed, N. (2009). Sustaining ready-made garment exports from Bangladesh. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 39(4), 597–618. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472330903076891
Akhter, S., Rutherford, S., & Chu, C. (2019). Sufferings in silence: Violence against female workers in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh: A qualitative exploration. Women’s Health (London, England), 15, 174550651989130. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506519891302
Albhirat, M. M., Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Rasool, S., Zulkiffli, S. N. A., Zia-Ul-Haq, H. M., & Mohammad, A. M. (2024). The PRISMA Statement in Enviropreneurship Study: A Systematic Literature and a Research Agenda. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 18(2024), 100721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2024.100721
Amirah, N. A., Him, N. K, Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Zaliha, T. N., & Afthahnoon, A. (2024). Fostering a Safety Culture in Manufacturing Industry through Safety Behavior: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach. Journal of Safety and Sustainability, In press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsasus.2024.03.001
Baloch, N. & Rashid, A. (2022). Supply chain networks, complexity, and optimization in developing economies: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. South Asian Journal of Operations and Logistics, 1(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.57044/SAJOL.2022.1.1.2202
Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2022). Business Research Methods. Oxford University Press.
Büyüközkan, G., & Göçer, F. (2018). Digital Supply Chain: Literature review and a proposed framework for future research. Computers in Industry, 97, 157–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2018.02.010
Carvalho, H., Barroso, A. P., Machado, V. H., Azevedo, S., & Cruz-Machado, V. (2012). Supply chain redesign for resilience using simulation. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 62(1), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2011.10.003
Chand, M., Raj, T., & Shankar, R. (2015). A comparative study of multi criteria decision making approaches for risks assessment in supply chain. International Journal of Business Information Systems, 18(1), 67. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijbis.2015.066128
Das, S., Ghani, M., Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Manthar, S., & Ahmed, S. (2021). How customer satisfaction and loyalty can be affected by employee’s perceived emotional competence: The mediating role of rapport. International Journal of Management, 12(3), 1268-1277. https://doi.org/10.34218/IJM.12.3.2021.119
Govindan, K., Mina, H., & Alavi, B. (2020). A decision support system for demand management in healthcare supply chains considering the epidemic outbreaks: A case study of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 138(101967), 101967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2020.101967
Haq, Z. U., Rasheed, R., Rashid, A., & Akhter, S. (2023). Criteria for Assessing and Ensuring the Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Business Reflections, 4(2), 150-173. Available at: http://journals.pu.edu.pk/journals/index.php/ijbr/article/view/7358
Haque, I., Rashid, A., & Ahmed, S. Z. (2021). The Role of Automobile Sector in Global Business: Case of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 4(2), 363-383. https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v4i2.195
Hashmi, A. R., & Mohd, A. T. (2020). The effect of disruptive factors on inventory control as a mediator and organizational performance in health department of Punjab, Pakistan. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy, 9(2), 122-134. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.26.2020.92.122.134
Hashmi, A. R., Amirah, N. A., & Yusof, Y. (2020a). Mediating effect of integrated systems on the relationship between supply chain management practices and public healthcare performance: Structural Equation Modeling. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 9(3), 148-160. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.11.2020.93.148.160
Hashmi, A. R., Amirah, N. A., & Yusof, Y. (2021b). Organizational performance with disruptive factors and inventory control as a mediator in public healthcare of Punjab, Pakistan. Management Science Letters, 11(1), 77-86. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.8.028
Hashmi, A. R., Amirah, N. A., Yusof, Y., & Zaliha, T. N. (2020b). Exploring the dimensions using exploratory factor analysis of disruptive factors and inventory control. The Economics and Finance Letters, 7(2), 247-254. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.29.2020.72.247.254
Hashmi, A. R., Amirah, N. A., Yusof, Y., & Zaliha, T. N. (2021a). Mediation of inventory control practices in proficiency and organizational performance: State-funded hospital perspective. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 9(1), 89-98. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2020.11.006
Hewitt, J., Carter, B., Vilches-Moraga, A., Quinn, T. J., Braude, P., Verduri, A., Pearce, L., Stechman, M., Short, R., Price, A., Collins, J. T., Bruce, E., Einarsson, A., Rickard, F., Mitchell, E., Holloway, M., Hesford, J., Barlow-Pay, F., Clini, E., … Guaraldi, G. (2020). The effect of frailty on survival in patients with COVID-19 (COPE): a multicentre, European, observational cohort study. The Lancet. Public Health, 5(8), e444–e451. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-2667(20)30146-8
Ivanov, D., & Dolgui, A. (2020). Viability of intertwined supply networks: extending the supply chain resilience angles towards survivability. A position paper motivated by COVID-19 outbreak. International Journal of Production Research, 58(10), 2904–2915. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1750727
Khan, S. K., Ahmed, S., & Rashid, A. (2021). Influence of social media on purchase intention and customer loyalty of generation Y with the mediating effect of conviction: a case of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 4(2), 526-548. https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v4i2.207
Khan, S. K., Rashid. A., Benhamed, A., Rasheed, R., & Huma, Z. (2023b). Effect of leadership styles on employee performance by considering psychological capital as mediator: evidence from airlines industry in emerging economy. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 18(6), 799-818. https://doi.org/10.47556/J.WJEMSD.18.6.2022.7
Khan, S., Rasheed., R., Rashid, A., Abbas, Q., & Mahboob, F. (2022). The Effect of Demographic Characteristics on Job Performance: An Empirical Study from Pakistan. Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 9(2), 283-294. https://doi.org/10.13106/JAFEB.2022.VOL9.NO2.0283
Khan, S., Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., & Amirah, N. A. (2023a). Designing a knowledge-based system (KBS) to study consumer purchase intention: the impact of digital influencers in Pakistan. Kybernetes, 52(5), 1720-1744. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-06-2021-0497
Miroudot, S. (2020). Reshaping the policy debate on the implications of COVID-19 for global supply chains. Journal of International Business Policy, 3(4), 430–442. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-020-00074-6
Moran, C., Campbell, D. J. T., Campbell, T. S., Roach, P., Bourassa, L., Collins, Z., Stasiewicz, M., & McLane, P. (2021). Predictors of attitudes and adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines in Western countries: a rapid review of the emerging literature. Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England), 43(4), 739–753. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab070
Mzougui, I., Carpitella, S., & Izquierdo, J. (2022). Multi-criteria risk classification to enhance complex supply networks performance. Opsearch. Quarterly Journal of the Operational Research Society of India, 59(3), 769–785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12597-021-00568-8
Ngah, A. H., Thurasamy, R., Rahi, S., Kamalrulzaman, N. I., Rashid, A., & Long, F. (2024b). Flying to your Home Yard: The Mediation and Moderation Model of the Intention to Employ Drones for Last-Mile Delivery. Kybernetes, In press. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-04-2024-1098
Ngah, S., Rahi, S., Long., F., Gabarre, C., Rashid, A., & Ngah, A. H. (2024a). Future behavioural of Console gamers and Mobile gamers: Are they differ? Quality & Quantity, (2024), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-024-01895-w
Papadopoulos, T., Gunasekaran, A., Dubey, R., Altay, N., Childe, S. J., & Fosso-Wamba, S. (2017). The role of Big Data in explaining disaster resilience in supply chains for sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 142, 1108–1118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.059
Rasheed, R., & Rashid, R. (2023). Role of service quality factors in word of mouth through student satisfaction. Kybernetes, 53(9), 2854-2870. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/k-01-2023-0119
Rasheed, R., Rashid, A., & Ngah, A. H. (2024a). Role of Leadership Styles to Foster Innovative Capabilities and Green Purchasing. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, In press. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-05-2023-0047
Rasheed, R., Rashid, A., Amirah, N. A., & Afthanorhan, A. (2023). Quantifying the moderating effect of servant leadership between occupational stress and employee in-role and extra-role performance. Calitatea, 24(195), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.47750/QAS/24.195.08
Rasheed, R., Rashid, A., Amirah, N. A., & Hashmi, R. (2024b). Integrating Environmental and Entrepreneurship Advocacy into Enviropreneurship through Green Supply Chain Management, Waste Management, and Green Innovation: A Study on SMEs of US. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 21(2024), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2024.100768
Rashid, A. & Rasheed, R. (2022). A Paradigm for Measuring Sustainable Performance Through Big Data Analytics–Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Firms. Available at SSRN 4087758. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4087758
Rashid, A. (2016). Impact of inventory management in downstream chains on customer satisfaction at manufacturing firms. International Journal of Management, IT and Engineering, 6(6), 1-19.
Rashid, A., & Amirah, N. A. (2017). Relationship between poor documentation and efficient inventory control at Provincial Ministry of Health, Lahore. American Journal of Innovative Research and Applied Sciences, 5(6), 420-423.
Rashid, A., & Rasheed, R. (2023). Mediation of Inventory Management in the Relationship between Knowledge and Firm Performance. SAGE Open, 13(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231164593
Rashid, A., & Rasheed, R. (2024). Logistics Service Quality and Product Satisfaction in E-Commerce. SAGE Open, 14(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231224250
Rashid, A., Ali, S. B., Rasheed, R., Amirah, N. A., & Ngah, A. H. (2022a). A paradigm of blockchain and supply chain performance: a mediated model using structural equation modeling. Kybernetes, 52(12), 6163-6178. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-04-2022-0543
Rashid, A., Amirah, N. A., & Yusof, Y. (2019). Statistical approach in exploring factors of documentation process and hospital performance: a preliminary study. American Journal of Innovative Research and Applied Sciences, 9(4), 306-310.
Rashid, A., Amirah, N. A., Yusof, Y., & Mohd, A. T. (2020). Analysis of demographic factors on perceptions of inventory managers towards healthcare performance. The Economics and Finance Letters, 7(2), 289-294. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.29.2020.72.289.294
Rashid, A., Baloch, N., Rasheed, R., & Ngah, A. H. (2024g). Big Data Analytics-Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Performance through Green Supply Chain Practices in Manufacturing Firms of a Developing Country. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, In press, https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-04-2023-0050
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., & Amirah, N. A. (2023). Information technology and people involvement in organizational performance through supply chain collaboration. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, In press. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-12-2022-0217
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., & Amirah, N. A., & Afthanorhan, A. (2022b). Disruptive factors and customer satisfaction at chain stores in Karachi, Pakistan. Journal of Distribution Science, 20(10), 93-103. https://doi.org/10.15722/jds.20.10.202210.93
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., & Ngah, A. H. (2024d). Achieving Sustainability through Multifaceted Green Functions in Manufacturing. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, 17(2), 402-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-06-2023-0054
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Albhirat, M. M., & Amirah, N. A. (2024h). Conservation of Resources for Sustainable Performance in Tourism. Journal of Tourism Management Research, 11(1), 123-139. https://doi.org/10.18488/31.v11i1.3782
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Amirah, N. A., Yusof, Y., Khan, S., & Agha, A., A. (2021). A Quantitative Perspective of Systematic Research: Easy and Step-by-Step Initial Guidelines. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(9), 2874-2883. https://www.tojqi.net/index.php/journal/article/view/6159/4387
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Ngah, A. H., & Amirah, N. A. (2024a). Unleashing the Power of Cloud Adoption and Artificial Intelligence in Optimizing Resilience and Sustainable Manufacturing Supply Chain in the USA. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, In press. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-02-2024-0080
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Ngah, A. H., & Marjerison, R. K. (2024c). A Nexus of Multiple Integrations and Business Performance through Supply Chain Agility and Supply Flexibility: A Dynamic Capability View. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, In press. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-08-2023-0124
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Ngah, A. H., Pradeepa Jayaratne, M. D. R., Rahi, S. & Tunio, M. N. (2024b). Role of Information Processing and Digital Supply Chain in Supply Chain Resilience through Supply Chain Risk Management. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, 17(2), 429-447. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-12-2023-0106
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Rahi, S., & Amirah, N. A. (2024f). Disruptive Factors of Vendor-Managed Inventory in the Manufacturing Industry. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, In press. https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2024.2330913
Rashid, A., Rasheed, R., Tanveer, U., Ishaq, S., & Amirah, N. A. (2024e). Mediation of Integrations in Supply Chain Information Management and Supply Chain Performance: An Empirical Study from a Developing Economy. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, In press. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-08-2023-0143
Rubio-Romero, J. C., Pardo-Ferreira, M. del C., Torrecilla-García, J. A., & Calero-Castro, S. (2020). Disposable masks: Disinfection and sterilization for reuse, and non-certified manufacturing, in the face of shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety Science, 129(104830), 104830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104830
Shahbaz, M. S., RM Rasi, R. Z., & Bin Ahmad, M. D. F. (2019). A novel classification of supply chain risks: Scale development and validation. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 12(1), 201. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.2792
Straub, D. W. (1989). Validating Instruments in MIS Research. MIS Quarterly: Management Information Systems, 13(2), 147. https://doi.org/10.2307/248922
Tang, C.-H., Chin, C.-Y., & Lee, Y.-H. (2021). Coronavirus disease outbreak and supply chain disruption: Evidence from Taiwanese firms in China. Research in International Business and Finance, 56(101355), 101355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2020.101355
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2024 South Asian Journal of Operations and Logistics
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.