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Article
Publication date: 6 March 2023

Ishara Rathnayake, Pournima Sridarran, Mahesh Abeynayake and Shashini Jayakodi

The creation of occupant satisfaction can be reached through the involvement of building performance mandates (BPMs) while enhancing the functionality of buildings. BPMs comprise…

Abstract

Purpose

The creation of occupant satisfaction can be reached through the involvement of building performance mandates (BPMs) while enhancing the functionality of buildings. BPMs comprise five mandates namely, spatial performance, thermal performance, indoor air quality performance, acoustic performance, and visual performance. BPMs have been recognized as a vital element when refurbishing post-fire apparel buildings. However, the evaluation of post-fire refurbishment projects is mainly focused on mechanical and physical properties while ignoring the BPMs. Further, there is insufficient literature on the BPMs in post-fire building refurbishment. Hence, the purpose of this research is to identify the importance of BPMs, and its challenges and propose strategies to enhance the building performance of post-fire refurbished apparel manufacturing buildings in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted by involving a qualitative research approach. An extensive literature review and eighteen semi-structured interviews under three fire-affected apparel cases were involved as data collection methods and collected data were analyzed using content analysis.

Findings

Findings highlighted the procedure of post-fire refurbishment and the importance of BPMs for apparel buildings to enhance building performance in post-fire situations. The research identified 42 challenges encountered in maintaining BPMs of post-fire refurbished apparel buildings and provided 70 strategies to overcome the identified challenges.

Originality/value

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of challenges in maintaining BPMs and strategies to overcome the identified challenges which facilitate enhancing the performance of post-fire refurbished apparel buildings in Sri Lanka.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2021

R.M.D.I.M. Rathnayake, P. Sridarran and M.D.T.E. Abeynayake

The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or…

Abstract

Purpose

The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or even in old age. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to explore the local and international fire incidents in AMBs and identify 24 factors that contribute to fire risk of AMBs. A questionnaire survey with professionals who have the knowledge and experience related to past fire incidents and 18 interviews with professionals of fire safety management were carried out. Content analysis was involved to evaluate interviewees’ opinions and relative importance index was involved to rank identified factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs.

Findings

The results revealed that due to the business nature of AMBs hold a high risk for fire incidents. The study discovered 83.4% of high fire risk prevailing in AMBs in Sri Lanka. Faulty wiring, welding work with electrical sparks and accumulation of waste fabric, paper and other garbage recognized as the top three factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Finally, the strategies proposed to eliminate identified all 41 factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka.

Originality/value

The paper helps to guide facility owners regarding the fire safety of AMBs in Sri Lanka.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 May 2020

Shellyanne Wilson

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of Government via its industrial policy aimed at building competitiveness in apparel manufacturing in a developing country.

478

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of Government via its industrial policy aimed at building competitiveness in apparel manufacturing in a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework that proposes the causal relationships between policies and competitiveness is applied to the apparel manufacturing sector in Trinidad and Tobago. The study utilises primary data from interviews and observations, and secondary data sources inclusive of industry and fashion companies reports. Data analysis of four vertical policies is performed via the use of system dynamics modelling and simulation.

Findings

The four vertical policies were found to impact three interrelated elements in the apparel manufacturing sector: the market, apparel products and productive resources. Policies that intentionally focussed on improving market attractiveness benefited wide segments of the industry. However, policies that focussed on product and resource attractiveness that were designed as direct support for selected firms had a lower impact on overall industry competitiveness than those that had an industry-wide focus.

Research limitations/implications

A single industry in a small developing island state limits the generalisability of the research findings. Additionally, non-reporting of export data and aggregation of industry data limits the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the impact of the vertical policies on the apparel industry. 10; 10;

Practical implications

Policy-makers should consider the scope of the vertical policies in terms of the number of firms in the industry to benefit, and the need for complementary horizontal policies for creating enabling environments for competitiveness.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a conceptual framework to capture relationships between vertical policy and competitiveness.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2009

Yoo‐Kyoung Seock and Lauren R. Bailey

The purpose of this study is to investigate Hispanic consumers' use of personal and impersonal information sources and to examine age and gender differences in the use of those…

1988

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate Hispanic consumers' use of personal and impersonal information sources and to examine age and gender differences in the use of those information sources.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed to collect the data. Pillai's trace multivariate analyses of variance were used to examine the main effects of age and gender differences in the use of personal and impersonal information sources.

Findings

The degree to which personal information sources were used varied across age groups. When making a purchase decision on clothing items, the respondents' use of their mothers and friends as personal information sources differed significantly across age groups. Males and females varied in their use of their fathers, sisters, and other female family members as personal information sources. The degree to which impersonal information sources were used also varied across age groups. When gathering ideas about what clothing items to purchase, the use of fashion magazines as impersonal information sources differed significantly across age groups. In addition, males and females varied in their use of store displays and television advertisements as impersonal information sources.

Research limitations/implications

The study may provide guidance in developing effective and strategic promotion direction and in selecting proper media advertising in an effort to target Hispanic consumers in the USA. Marketers can use this information to determine advertising media allocation in effectively reaching Hispanic consumers.

Originality/value

Considering the unprecedented growth in the population and the purchasing power of Hispanics, marketers need to analyze Hispanic consumers' use of information sources in their shopping behaviors in order to determine effective marketing and media planning. However, little is known about how Hispanic consumers' use of information influences their shopping behaviors. This study offers insights for apparel retailers in building effective promotional strategies for reaching Hispanic consumers.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2023

Shantanu Prasad and Saroj S. Prasad

The purpose of the research paper is to examine customers' online purchase intention towards apparel in the online environment, with a focus on the role of conviction and brand…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the research paper is to examine customers' online purchase intention towards apparel in the online environment, with a focus on the role of conviction and brand reputation of the e-retailer.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are based on an extensive literature review and tested using adapted existing scales for the constructs-social media usage for apparel, electronic word of mouth (EWOM), conviction, apparel e-retailer's brand reputation and online purchase intention towards apparel, and data are collected from 362 online customers of apparel brands in eight major cities across the country. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is applied to analyze data and test hypotheses because of multiple dependent variables.

Findings

The quantitative results indicate that impact of social media and EWOM on online purchase intention towards apparel is mediated by conviction. The results also explain the moderating effect of apparel e-retailer's brand reputation.

Originality/value

Findings provide suggestions for the apparel business in an online environment that address the issue of breach of trust and implications for apparel e-retailers, managers and researchers. The study contributes to the existing retail literature by proposing concept of conviction and role of apparel e-retailer's brand reputation in this context.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 51 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 6 August 2018

Susan A. Kayser

Previous work has shown that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can preserve shareholder value after an organization experiences a negative event. I expand on this…

Abstract

Previous work has shown that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives can preserve shareholder value after an organization experiences a negative event. I expand on this theory by examining one boundary condition that could lead to the opposite relationship: when the organization has a CSR initiative intended to prevent the type of event that occurs. The author argues that activist pressure will enhance the negative relationship between event-specific CSR and shareholder value. Using an event-study, the author examines the apparel industry after the collapse of Rana Plaza which killed over a thousand apparel supply chain employees.

Details

Social Movements, Stakeholders and Non-Market Strategy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78754-349-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 February 2008

Jaehee Jung and Eunyoung Sung

The purpose of this study is to measure and compare the consumer‐based brand equity of apparel products by three consumer groups across cultures – Americans in the USA, South…

8888

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure and compare the consumer‐based brand equity of apparel products by three consumer groups across cultures – Americans in the USA, South Koreans in the USA, and South Koreans in Korea. Also examined was cross‐cultural effects of brand equity on purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 300 college students were recruited for the survey from local universities and organizations in the USA and South Korea. The MBE and OBE models were used to measure brand equity of the three apparel brands (i.e. Polo, Gap, and Levi's).

Findings

Among the elements of brand equity, the perceived brand quality and brand awareness/association reported by American college students were significantly greater than those reported by South Koreans in the USA and Korea. For both South Korean groups, brand loyalty was the most important element of brand equity. In the relationship between elements of brand equity and purchase intention, brand loyalty showed positive correlation with purchase intention across all three consumer groups.

Research limitations/implications

Further research might include more apparel brands in different price points. An investigation of the prices of various apparel brands in different countries will be useful for cross‐cultural comparisons.

Originality/value

With a lack of brand equity studies on fashion products and even fewer studies of cross‐cultural comparisons in brand equity, this study should be valuable information for firms branding their products and making marketing strategies from the global perspective.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1992

Roy Larke

The Japanese retail environment is of interest to businessmen,politicians and academics. Different observers tend to base their viewson their own vested interests and national…

Abstract

The Japanese retail environment is of interest to businessmen, politicians and academics. Different observers tend to base their views on their own vested interests and national expectations, Japanese observers included. There is a need for more objective, unbiased research into Japanese retailing, consumer behaviour and marketing. Presents an overview of Japanese retailing employing predominantly Japanese language sources. Outlines briefly the general structure of the retail industry, emphasizing the large number of outlets overall. Considers the independent retail sector, notably the existence of street associations, and the corporate retail sector, putting emphasis on the latter owing to the lack of information available in English. Considers three forms of corporate retailing in detail, namely department stores, general merchandise stores and groups, and speciality shopping centres – commonly known as “fashion buildings”. In conclusion, notes that there is great scope for further research into Japanese retailing, and three general sectors are suggested.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2016

Thomas A. Hemphill and Keith J. Kelley

This paper aims to address the viability of two recent initiatives proposed to address the important human rights issue of employee and building safety among manufacturers in the…

1226

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to address the viability of two recent initiatives proposed to address the important human rights issue of employee and building safety among manufacturers in the global supply chain: the recently proposed “Shared Responsibility Paradigm” now being considered by concerned stakeholders as a new approach to understanding human rights issues across global supply chains and the proposed International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 45001 comprehensive framework for management systems addressing occupational health and safety.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper establishes a theoretical foundation for these two initiatives as practical and implementable solutions for this human rights issue and includes a section addressing the results of recent academic research on social responsibility in global supply chains. The paper then provides a detailed description of the shared responsibility paradigm and the ISO 45001 health and safety standard, respectively, followed by a discussion of their viability, policy implications and directions for future research.

Findings

Recent developments pertaining to the implementation of the ISO 45001 standard and the unveiling of the World Economic Forum’s shared responsibility model offer aspirational hope for a multi-stakeholder solution to successfully addressing serious human rights issues related to employee safety in Bangladesh and other least developed countries.

Originality/value

This paper offers an early viability assessment of the two recent initiatives proposed to address the important human rights issue of employee and building safety among manufacturers in the global supply chain: the “Shared Responsibility Paradigm” and the proposed ISO 45001 standard for worker health and safety.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 December 2017

Vathsala Wickramasinghe and G.L.D. Wickramasinghe

The purpose of this study is to investigate conditions that facilitate shop-floor operators to fulfil their needs to carry out job roles and whether the need fulfilment affects…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate conditions that facilitate shop-floor operators to fulfil their needs to carry out job roles and whether the need fulfilment affects their job performance in lean-implemented textile and apparel firms in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 922 shop-floor employees and their immediate supervisors. Statistical methods were used for the data analysis.

Findings

The results of the analysis imply the importance of managerial autonomy support and need fulfilment for enhanced job performance; the duration of lean production in operation moderates job performance in such a way that the longer the duration, the higher will be job performance.

Originality/value

It could be expected that academics and practitioners alike are motivated by a desire to clearly apprehend work systems in lean-implemented textile and apparel firms.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

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