Bio-circular-green-lean supply chain adoption in the Sri Lankan apparel industry to mitigate supply chain disruptions : a case study

Abstract

Supply chains are essential in linking suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to deliver products efficiently to end customers. In the apparel industry, effective supply chain management is critical for cost efficiency, demand fulfillment, inventory optimization, and operational continuity. However, increasing global volatility has exposed supply chains to frequent disruptions arising from economic instability, environmental challenges, regulatory pressures, and operational inefficiencies, which can adversely affect organizational performance and brand reputation. As a major contributor to the national economy and a key participant in global supply networks, the Sri Lankan apparel industry has been particularly vulnerable to such disruptions. Conventional linear and efficiency-driven supply chain models have proven inadequate in managing uncertainty and ensuring long-term resilience. In response, firms have begun adopting sustainable and flexible separate approaches such as bio based, circular and lean supply chain models, although these often lack an integrated mechanism for comprehensive disruption management. This study investigates how supply chain disruptions are managed within the Sri Lankan apparel industry and evaluates the effectiveness of existing mitigation strategies. Based on eleven qualitative case studies of apparel organizations with varying levels of sustainability and lean maturity, the research identifies prevailing supply chain models, key disruption sources, and current mitigation practices across supply chain stages. The findings indicate that existing models have heightened vulnerability during economic crises, with limited integration of bio-based sourcing, circular material flows, environmental sustainability, and lean efficiency. To address this gap, the study proposes a Bio-Circular-Green Lean (BCGL) supply chain model that systematically embeds disruption mitigation strategies across the entire supply chain. The proposed framework enhances resilience, supports sustainable transformation, reduces waste, and strengthens long-term competitiveness in the apparel industry