Adoption of artificial intelligence and big data analytics: an organizational readiness perspective of the textile and garment industry in Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the organizational readiness perspective of adopting artificial intelligence and big data analytics in the textile and garment industry in Bangladesh along with identifying the associated factors.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews with representatives of business organizations and stakeholders of Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry.FindingsThe research reveals that the textile and garment industry in Bangladesh currently has low organizational readiness to adopt artificial intelligence and big data analytics. This is due to moderate knowledge- and leadership-readiness along with low human-, finance- and engagement-readiness of most of the business organizations. The readiness aspects interplay with each other and need to be improved holistically.Practical implicationsConsidering the significant global and national importance of Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry, gaining insights into the industry’s current state of readiness for adopting artificial intelligence and big data analytics would offer valuable assistance to both national and global economies and may enhance economic outcomes.Originality/valueSince no exploratory study was conducted to understand the organizational readiness aspects of adopting artificial intelligence and big data analytics of the globally significant textile and garment industry in Bangladesh, the paper analyzes five key aspects of such readiness and offers a basis for conducting similar studies in other emerging economies.