To read this content please select one of the options below:

Review of effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the textile industry: challenges, material innovation and performance

Raphael Kanyire Seidu (School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)
Shou-xiang Jiang (School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)
Benjamin Tawiah (Department of Industrial Art (Textiles), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)
Richard Acquaye (Department of Textile Design and Technology, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Ghana)
Ebenezer Kofi Howard (Department of Industrial Art (Textiles), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel

ISSN: 1560-6074

Article publication date: 24 January 2023

425

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in 2019 has subsequently caused many problems, such as unemployment, business closures, economic instability and high volatility in the global capital markets amongst others within the wider manufacturing industry including textile production.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant secondary data are obtained from the Scopus database and Statista. Based on the data analysis of 21 seed articles, three research themes are identified: challenges in the textile industry, new material innovations or solutions and the textile industry performance.

Findings

The results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the textile industry, disrupted the supply chains of this industry, affected profit margins, stopped employment and impacted the retail of products to customers. Aside from the negative repercussions, there are also good sides to the pandemic which, for instance, range from advanced material innovations to textiles with anti-microbial, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial properties that would limit the transfer of the virus.

Practical implications

Findings reinforced the need for effective strategies and investments in the research and development departments of the various firms in the textile industry to innovate operations and novel materials for the next global pandemic.

Originality/value

Many companies have adopted novel strategies and practices that are helping them to survive the pandemic. This study, therefore, recommends further investigation into material innovations and reimagining strategies by companies and the supply chain within the textile industry so that it is protected against future crises.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

There is no conflict of interest reported for this manuscript.

Citation

Seidu, R.K., Jiang, S.-x., Tawiah, B., Acquaye, R. and Howard, E.K. (2023), "Review of effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the textile industry: challenges, material innovation and performance", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-08-2022-0098

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles