Achieving textile supply chain reliability through risk mitigation: a stakeholders perspective

The textile supply chains (TSCs) are exposed to unprecedented risks which can disrupt the sustainable process of the manufacturing industries. It is necessary to analyze the impact of risks and to create reliability in the end-to-end supply chain. The aim of this research is to identify the supply chain reliability (SCR)-related risks and proposed a risk mitigation model based on a systematic toolkit of strategies for handling the risks. For this purpose, a total of 10 key SCR-related risks have been recognized and prioritized using a detailed review of the literature and industrial expert's opinions. A risk mitigation methodology is presented for improving SCR through its relevant criteria, i.e. risks factors, based on the intensity of importance. This study focuses in determining and evaluating the key potential risks through the blend of mathematical multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods namely fuzzy FMEA, fuzzy AHP, fuzzy TOPSIS, and sensitivity analysis. This study develops a novel approach for objectively projecting future supply chain risks that can be managed timely in achieving SCR. This study also contributed to fill the existing literature gap for prioritization of key risks in the TSCs. The results highlight how postponement in supply chain risks is identified as highly prioritized whereas, manufacturing risks are ranked as second highly prioritized, and disruption risk is ranked as the last one. The concerned stakeholders can adopt the proposed structured methodology as a way forward in formulating risk mitigation strategies and tackling the SC risks in achieving the optimal level of supply reliability.