Digital transformation of fashion and textiles manufacturing: A systematic literature review

Digital transformation of the manufacturing industry is the a driver of industrial sustainability in an increasingly competitive and dynamic business environment. This paper explores the industry 4.0 (I4.0) transformation of fashion and textiles manufacturing through a systematic literature review and evaluates the technology adoption and strategies driving the industrial shift towards a digital future from the perspectives of upstream fashion manufacturers. A total of 74 articles published between 2014 and 2024 were identified for analysis, concentrating on fashion and textiles industry, I4.0, and manufacturing. The technological–organizational–environmental framework was utilized to guide data analysis and understand the barriers, drivers, and opportunities that influence the adoption and implementation of I4.0 strategies in fashion and textiles manufacturing. The findings inform a conceptual model for decision-making on I4.0 transformation in the fashion industry. The overall findings will assist fashion practitioners, who are at the early stage of adopting I4.0 or have already adopted it in small scale and seeking to expand it further, to identify the barriers, drivers, and opportunities within an intricate value chain network and take infoirmed decision. Managers might use the conceptual model in strategic decision-making by selecting priority areas of I4.0 adoption, avoiding scattered efforts and financial investments in unclear directions, and minimizing implementation futility, costs, and risks of failure.