THE EFFECT OF PRODUCTION PLANNING EFFICIENCY ON DELIVERY TIMELINES IN U.S. APPAREL IMPORTS

Md. Hasan Imam; Ashraful Islam

doi:10.63125/sg472m51

Authors

Md. Hasan Imam Master of Business Administration, Washington University of Science and Technology, Virginia, USA Author
Ashraful Islam Master Of Science In Information Technology , Washington University Of Science And Technology, Alexandria, Virginia, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63125/sg472m51

Keywords:

Production Planning Efficiency, Delivery Timelines, Apparel Imports, Supply Chain Performance, Operational Reliability

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of production planning efficiency on delivery timelines in U.S. apparel imports, drawing on quantitative analysis supported by a comprehensive dataset of 1,864 purchase orders across multiple sourcing regions. The research examined whether planning efficiency—captured through schedule adherence, capacity utilization accuracy, work-in-progress stability, and production cycle consistency—served as a significant predictor of on-time shipment performance, days late, and lead-time variance. Logistic regression results showed that production planning efficiency substantially improved delivery outcomes, increasing the likelihood of on-time shipment by 2.18 times for every unit increase in planning performance. Linear regression further revealed that higher planning efficiency reduced shipment delays by an average of 0.46 days and lowered lead-time variance by 39%, even when controlling for order quantity, style complexity, seasonality, and shipping mode. Additional findings indicated that style complexity and large order volumes contributed to greater delays; however, planning efficiency remained a consistently significant predictor across all conditions. Air shipments demonstrated superior punctuality compared with sea shipments, yet planning performance continued to exert a strong influence independent of transportation mode. Collectively, the findings confirm that production planning efficiency is a critical operational capability that directly improves the timeliness and predictability of U.S. apparel imports. The results underscore the need for supplier factories to strengthen planning systems and for U.S. importers to prioritize planning-related metrics in vendor evaluations. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the operational drivers of delivery performance and highlights planning efficiency as a central determinant of supply chain reliability in global apparel sourcing.