TEXTILE AND APPAREL SUPPLY CHAIN: STRUCTURE, COMPLEXITY, AND GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION TRENDS

Abstract

The textile and apparel supply chain occupies a strategic position in the global and Brazilian economy, being recognized for its productive relevance and value-creation capacity. However, it faces challenges related to its high complexity, transformations in international trade, and increasing pressure for sustainable and digital practices. This article aims to structure and characterize the main links that make up the textile and apparel supply chain, identifying their interactions, specificities, and implications for strategic management. Methodologically, a systematic literature review was conducted, based on articles indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, complemented by bibliometric analysis to map the main academic contributions on the topic. The results highlight the predominance of buyer-driven structures, the growing importance of outsourcing and logistics services, as well as research gaps related to supply chain coordination, process integration, and adoption of digital technologies. It was found that understanding the structure and complexity of the chain is essential to support strategic decisions by companies, governments, and supporting institutions, contributing to competitiveness and resilience gains. As a contribution, the study emphasizes the need for research advancing the incorporation of emerging topics such as Industry 4.0, sustainability, traceability, and circularity, which are already shaping the global transformation of the sector. In conclusion, characterizing the textile and apparel supply chain enhances the understanding of its challenges and opportunities, providing insights for its adaptation to new international market demands.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.036-005