How Mobility through Digitalization in Supply Chain is Changing the Dynamics of Business: A Case Study of the Textile Industry

ABSTRACT The global supply chain landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the rapid integration of mobility and cutting-edge digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud computing, and advanced data analytics. These technologies collectively form the backbone of what is now referred to as the digital supply chain. This transformation is particularly significant in the textile industry—a sector traditionally plagued by inefficiencies, demand unpredictability, and supply chain opacity. This research delves into how the adoption of digital and mobile technologies is redefining supply chain dynamics in the textile sector, with a specific focus on improving inbound and outbound logistics. The study investigates how these technologies contribute to enhanced visibility across the supply chain, improved responsiveness to market fluctuations, reduced operational costs, and alignment with sustainability goals. Digital mobility, in particular, enables supply chain actors to access real-time information, collaborate across functions, and make informed, data-driven decisions swiftly—an imperative in today's fast-paced, demand-sensitive marketplace. The methodology adopted is qualitative and exploratory in nature, relying on semi-structured interviews conducted with five senior supply chain managers from textile firms operating in India—a country representative of developing economies where digital transformation is often met with systemic resistance. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts reveals a clear consensus: while digital mobility holds transformative potential, its implementation is hampered by infrastructural constraints, high upfront costs, organizational inertia, and a shortage of skilled digital professionals.