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COVID‐19’s impacts on global value chains, as seen in the apparel industry

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  • Jennifer Castañeda‐Navarrete
  • Jostein Hauge
  • Carlos López‐Gómez

Abstract

Motivation The COVID‐19 pandemic has massively disrupted international trade and global value chains. Impacts, however, differ across regions and industries. This article contributes to a better understanding of the scale of disruptions to industries and value chains integral to the economies of and livelihoods in developing countries, and what role policy can play to mitigate harm. Purpose This article aims to: (1) analyse and characterize disruptions to the global apparel value chain caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic, focusing on how developing countries have been impacted, and; (2) identify key policies to support a resilient, inclusive and sustainable recovery. Approach and methods We review COVID‐19 related reports published by international and non‐governmental organizations, international trade and production statistics, industry surveys and media reports. We frame our analysis predominantly within the Global Value Chains literature. Findings The global apparel value chain has been severely disrupted by the pandemic, owing to direct effects of sickness on workers in factories, reduced output of materials—cloth, thread, etc.—used to fabricate clothing, and to reduced demand for apparel in high‐income countries. Developing countries are suffering disproportionately in terms of profits, wages, job security and job safety. Women workers in the apparel chain have been hit especially hard, not only because most workers in the chain are women, but also because they have experienced increasing unpaid care work and higher risk of gender‐based violence. Policy implications Five key areas of policy to support a resilient, inclusive and sustainable recovery stand out: (1) delivering emergency responses to ensure firm survival and the protection of workers’ livelihoods; (2) reformulating FDI attraction strategies and promoting market diversification; (3) supporting technology adoption and skills development; (4) deploying labour standards to improve workers’ conditions and strengthening social protection systems; and (5) adopting gender‐sensitive responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Castañeda‐Navarrete & Jostein Hauge & Carlos López‐Gómez, 2021. "COVID‐19’s impacts on global value chains, as seen in the apparel industry," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(6), pages 953-970, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:39:y:2021:i:6:p:953-970
    DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen Qu & Eunyoung Kim, 2024. "Reviewing the Roles of AI-Integrated Technologies in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Research Propositions and a Framework for Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Shi, Xiutian, 2022. "Reducing supply risks by supply guarantee deposit payments in the fashion industry in the “new normal after COVID-19”," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    3. Duong An & Duy Tran Le Anh & Huong Le Thi Cam & Rajkishore Nayak & Majo George & Loan Bui Thi Cam & Nhu-Y Ngoc Hoang & Duy Tan Nguyen & Huy Truong Quang, 2024. "Navigating global supply networks: a strategic framework for resilience in the apparel industry," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 523-543, June.

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