The purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of supply network configuration (SNC) for small series production in high-cost contexts in relation to the textile/apparel industry. SNC encompasses strategic structural and infrastructural decisions at the supply chain level, motivated by capabilities/priorities. The key configuration decisions addressed concern textile/apparel production in Europe, with associated context-specific advantages and challenges. The thesis takes a particular focus on how practitioners consider these configurations and motivations. The thesis begins with identification of motivations for locating textile/apparel production in high-cost contexts, to capture the driving priorities. Thereafter, the thesis extends the focus beyond location motivations to identify the key SNC aspects and characteristics for small series production in high-cost contexts. These configuration-related aspects and capabilities are elaborated upon and modelled to understand how they are interrelated in textile/apparel industry contexts. The empirical work uses mixed-methods and seeks to bring together the relevant topics using a SNC and capabilities approach. The specific methods, Delphi study and interpretive structural modeling, are focused on sensitivity practitioner perspectives. Findings show multiple key motivations/capabilities for high-cost textile/apparel production, specifically small series production (customization); which is closely linked with several other priorities, including quality and flexibility/delivery. Expanding the view to the SNC aspects, the findings confirm and extend the literature regarding complexities, multi-level characteristics, synergies and trade-offs, and industry/location contingencies. Regarding this European textile/apparel context, several interrelated considerations create challenges with respect to balancing configuration, capabilities and location; in particular related to multiple priorities such as flexibility/delivery, quality, innovation/sustainability, and the level of product variety/customization. Several relational characteristics are also crucial, including focus on trust and information sharing, although, with a few significant exceptions, limited supplier integration levels are found. These findings indicate the need to build upon existing relationships to develop end-to-end digital connections. The thesis approaches issues at the intersection of theory and practice, regarding configuring supply networks for small series production in high-cost contexts. Practically, it develops an approach to evaluate and model decision aspects, demonstrating how this can be used with a variety of textile/apparel companies. Several extensions are required to support current and future state mapping, including developments related to the method and the addition of performance considerations. The thesis contributes to theory by broadening the focus on high-cost locations to include small series production and the SNC perspective. Thus, the research confirms multiple priorities including innovation and sustainability; additionally finding several challenges associated with small series textile/apparel production in high-cost contexts. Further research should extend the focus to understand (re)configuration processes, and implications on priorities like sustainable innovation.

L’objet de cette thèse est de déterminer l’effet des normes environnementales sur lecommerce du Textile-Habillement et d’analyser les stratégies adoptées dans ce cadre par lespays en développement, plus particulièrement, par la Tunisie. Les exigencesenvironnementales, volontaires et obligatoires, ont touché essentiellement la branche textile etpourraient se substituer aux instruments traditionnels de protectionnisme après ledémantèlement de l’Accord multifibres en 2005. Les résultats des analyses statistiques etéconométriques montrent un effet positif de la certification environnementale sur lesexportations de certains produits d’habillement vers le marché européen signalant ainsil’importance de cette nouvelle tendance. L’étude est affinée autour du positionnement desfirmes tunisiennes sur la chaîne globale de valeur du Textile-Habillement et des stratégiesadoptées afin de faire face à ces normes environnementales. Nos résultats montrent ladifficulté des firmes tunisiennes à réussir une remontée industrielle. Les exigencesenvironnementales inhibent leur passage de la sous-traitance à la co-traitance. Ellesaccentuent également leur dépendance envers les fournisseurs européens de textile. La thèses’interroge en dernier lieu sur l’intérêt du programme « Tunisian Ecolabel » et sur lesdéterminants de l’adoption de la certification environnementale par les firmes tunisiennes duTextile-Habillement. / The purpose of this thesis is to determine the effect of environmental standards on trade inTextile-Apparel products and to analyse the strategies adopted by developing countries, withspecific reference to Tunisia. Voluntary and mandatory environmental requirements havemainly affected the textile industry and could replace traditional instruments of protectionismafter the dismantling of the Multifibre Arrangement in 2005. The result of statistical andeconometric analysis indicates a positive effect of environmental certification on exports ofcertain apparel products towards the European market denoting the importance of this newtrend. The study is focused upon the Tunisian firms’ positioning in the global value chain ofTextile-Apparel industry and strategies which they will have to implement in order to be ableto meet environmental standards. Our results show the difficulty of Tunisian firms to besuccessful in industrial upgrading. Environmental requirements heighten their dependence onEuropean suppliers of the textile industry and prevent the transition from the originalequipment assembly to original Equipment Manufacturer. Lastly, the thesis discusses theeffectiveness of “Tunisian Ecolabel” program and the determinants for adopting theenvironmental certifications by Tunisian firms’ of the Textile-Apparel industry.