STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF THE APPAREL INDUSTRY IN BANGLADESH: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK

Abstract

This systematic review provides a comprehensive strategic analysis of Bangladesh’s apparel industry by examining a total of 101 peer-reviewed journal articles, institutional reports, and scholarly publications published between 2000 and 2021. The study explores the industry's historical trajectory, labor force dynamics, supply and value chain positioning, market segmentation, policy environment, sustainability practices, and global competitiveness. Drawing on the PRISMA 2020 framework, the review systematically identifies, screens, and synthesizes relevant literature to uncover the structural and institutional mechanisms underpinning the sector’s evolution. The findings highlight the foundational impact of the Desh-Daewoo collaboration, the centrality of female labor participation amidst persistent gendered inequalities, and the dominant role of subcontracted, low-margin production in shaping Bangladesh’s limited value chain integration. It further reveals a pronounced lack of empirical policy evaluation, despite the proliferation of reforms and incentive schemes. The industry’s leadership in green factory certifications is acknowledged, though its adoption remains limited to capital-intensive firms. Moreover, the market remains concentrated in a few export destinations and product categories, raising concerns over vulnerability to external shocks. Comparisons with global competitors such as China, Vietnam, India, and Turkey underscore Bangladesh’s strengths in cost and volume efficiency but expose significant gaps in innovation and strategic upgrading. This review contributes to the academic and policy discourse by presenting a nuanced, evidence-based assessment of the apparel sector’s achievements, disparities, and future challenges, establishing a robust foundation for reform-oriented and sustainability-driven industrial strategies.