Digitalizing supply chains for sustainability: the mediating role of resilience in Egypt’s textile and apparel sector

Purpose The study examines the relationship between supply chain digitalization (SCD) and environmental sustainability performance (ESP), with supply chain resilience (SCRes) serving as an intermediary in the Egyptian textile and apparel industry. Design/methodology/approach This quantitative research has been based on resource-based view and organizational information processing theory, whereby survey data were collected on 308 professionals in the textile sector in Egypt, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used to test SCD, SCRes and ESP. Findings The results show that SCD correlates significantly with SCRes (0.678, p = 0.01), and the correlation is positively related to ESP (0.554, p = 0.01). The direct effect of SCD on ESP is also achieved (0.241, p < 0.01). This is an indirect effect of SCD on ESP using SCRes, and it is 0.376 (p < 0.01), indicating that it is partially mediated (the model explains 54.6% of ESP variance). Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce response bias. Future research could explore cross-sector or regional comparisons and examine additional mediators such as digital maturity or green innovation. Practical implications Managers ought to ensure that their expenditures on digital tools and systems are commensurate to their expectations of establishing strong and robust supply chains. This contributes to the long-term sustainability of their businesses. Some of the ways policymakers can assist include enhancing infrastructure, making supply chain more transparent and training. Such measures will convert supply chains into green and eco-friendly ones. Social implications The construction of robust and digital supply chain has social benefits too. It can assist third world countries such as Egypt to expand their economies in a manner that is sustainable with businesses as well as environment. Originality/value This will provide new information since, in the case of the Egyptian textile industry, which has not been a major concern in previous empirical studies; this will be the first empirical study to investigate the mediating relationship between digitalization and environmental sustainability, ensuring the population supply chain. It extends and develops the supply chain theory by demonstrating how digital capabilities, under specific conditions, become environmental benefits.