TRANSFORMING OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE INDIAN AUTOMOBILE SECTOR: A STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE

The Indian automobile industry, a key pillar of national manufacturing strength, is confronting unprecedented transformation driven by digitization, global competition, and volatile supply dynamics. This research examines how operations and supply chain management (OSCM) strategies are being deployed within Indian automobile firms to address contemporary challenges and achieve operational excellence. A mixed-methods approach, involving quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, identifies trends in lean manufacturing, digital adoption, supplier collaboration, and sustainability readiness. Findings reveal partial adoption of lean and digital tools, a limited but growing emphasis on supplier integration, and early-stage sustainability initiatives. The paper proposes a strategic roadmap encompassing digital alignment, workforce capability enhancement, supplier partnerships, and circular logistics to improve long-term competitiveness in this dynamic industry.