International Journal of Advancements in Technology
Open Access
ISSN: 0976-4860
ISSN: 0976-4860
Alie Wube Damtew*
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of supplier, customer and intra-firm integration on firm performance and global competitiveness in manufacturing industries. Specifically, the performance of the textile industry in the Ethiopian scenario in terms of production capacity, raw material capacity, import and export, quality, finance, supply and demand and job creation potential was examined. Deficiencies in resource utilization, poor production processes, insufficient information flow, insufficient technical capacity, infrastructure problems, storage system problems and weak and inadequate supply chain integration were identified. Insufficient logistics infrastructure existed. As a result, the performance and competitiveness of the local textile and clothing industry at national, regional and global levels are poor and weak. The study also revealed important findings regarding the substantial and highest positive relationships between organizational performance and internal, supplier and customer integration, from the highest to the lowest levels. Based on our findings, the best internal quality, better suppliers, proper integration of customers and fair government support have a positive impact on the textile and clothing industry's performance and global competitiveness. Field observations, questionnaires, interviews with company representatives, company reports and data were collected from 33 companies in Ethiopia's textile and clothing industry and 175 people responded to the survey. Primary and secondary data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and FAHP tools. Finally, the policy implications for supply chain integration capabilities of supply chain strategies were highlighted and future research agendas were proposed.
Published Date: 2025-03-27; Received Date: 2024-05-13