Doctoral thesis: Managing demand and supply in Chinese fashion apparel firms: An exploratory study under the fourth industrial structural change

The global landscape is undergoing profound transformations driven by the Fourth Industrial Structural Change, demanding adaptive strategies across all sectors. Within this dynamic environment, the Chinese fashion apparel firms face unique challenges stemming from factors like volatile market demand, short product lifecycles, and the disruptive impact of booming e-commerce and digital technologies. Traditional supply chain management (SCM) approaches often struggle to address the complexities of rising labor costs, oversupply issues, and the need for greater agility. This thesis explores how these firms navigate such complex market dynamics, highlighting the critical importance of effective demand and supply alignment. It addresses a significant research gap concerning the adaptation of Chinese FA companies to these structural changes, proposing a framework to understand their strategic responses.

Academics and researchers in supply chain management, logistics, and organizational studies; practitioners and strategists within the fashion apparel industry, particularly those operating in the Chinese market; and policymakers interested in industrial transformation and digital economy.

This exploratory study delves into the adaptive strategies of Chinese fashion apparel firms in response to the profound transformations brought by the Fourth Industrial Structural Change. Recognizing that traditional supply chain management (SCM) models are often inadequate for the sector's inherent volatility, short product lifecycles, and the significant impact of e-commerce and digital innovation, the research investigates how companies restructure their supply chains. A strategic SCM framework, informed by Western practices and anchored in Alignment Theory, is proposed, identifying core demand and supply process elements and management components. The study introduces four distinct strategic fit configurations: Make-to-forecast/Administration, Make-to-order/Production, Pack-to-order/Integration, and Buy-to-order/Development. By applying this framework to the Chinese market context, the research examines how domestic FA companies have realigned their internal supply chains and whether this alignment corresponds with external market conditions. Key findings reveal that superior business performance is strongly correlated with successfully leveraging SCM alignment among process elements and management components. The study identifies specific actions that drive firms towards a successful strategic fit configuration, while also shedding light on the unique characteristics of the Chinese economic ecosystem. These insights provide practical implications for developing robust strategic supply chain solutions and enhancing the competencies of Chinese businesses to thrive amidst ongoing market dynamism.