Supply base taxonomy: A geographical analysis in the textile-fashion industry

In the last decades, industries have been characterized by a growing supply chain expansion towards international locations. Among others, the textile-fashion industry has been increasingly characterized by a global presence, with multinational companies acting as focal firms. In this study, we aim to investigate whether the geographical distribution of the supply base can play a crucial role in ensuring firms a competitive advantage within today dynamic and globalized markets. By analysing the supply base of 50 focal firms in the textile-fashion industry, we find two archetypes of supply base and link them with end-market characteristics and performance results.