AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE US TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY

The increasing level of firm competition and changes in business management functions in the dynamic business environment appear to have created the opportunity and necessity for implementing global supply chain management. This study provides an empirical investigation of global supply chain management practices of the firms in the U.S. textile and apparel industry. The results demonstrate the changing supply market, the need for supplier evaluation systems, supplier selection practices, and the effects of supplier selection practices on buyer firm's competitive position. Survey results show overall supplier evaluation systems and supplier selection based on communication and product quality, supplier capability, strategic consideration, and the ability to meet buyer firm's need positively impact buyer firm's competitiveness in the marketplace. Implications and directions for future research are provided based on the results.