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1 – 10 of over 8000Debanjan Das and Jung E. Ha-Brookshire
The purpose of this paper is to explore the unique resources that Indian apparel exporting firms claim to have and the key resources that help provide competitive advantage to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the unique resources that Indian apparel exporting firms claim to have and the key resources that help provide competitive advantage to these firms.
Design/methodology/approach
A web-based content analysis of texts available on “About Us” or related sections of the Indian export firms was conducted. Text data were coded and interpreted.
Findings
Physical resources seemed to be one of the most critical resources for their competitive advantages for the study samples. The ability to provide affordable and competitive prices for their products and experience in exporting were recognized as important firm resource described by the study samples.
Research limitations/implications
The study results supported the resource-based theory of the firm by showing additional key firm resources, such as ability to maintain domestic operations and to provide competitive prices that Indian apparel exporters claimed to have. Generalizability of the results is cautioned due to the content and analysis mode of the study data.
Practical implications
The results indicate that design capabilities, flexible production systems, and skilled labor are the key resources that provide Indian apparel industry the competitive advantage over its competitors. Therefore, Indian apparel exporters may want to continue to strengthen and emphasize these abilities to foreign buyers to complete in the global marketplace.
Originality/value
Given the importance of Indian apparel industry in the global market place, this study builds a knowledge base of the key resources possessed by the Indian apparel export firms.
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Jin Su and Vidyaranya B. Gargeya
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine supplier selection among small- and medium-sized firms in the US textile and apparel industry. For small- and medium-sized firms…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine supplier selection among small- and medium-sized firms in the US textile and apparel industry. For small- and medium-sized firms, one powerful method of improving the firm’s competitiveness in the dynamic business environment is through strategic approach of supplier selection, which emphasizes supplier’s contributions to the total product and to overall customer satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical survey-based research methodology was implemented and data were collected from small and medium firms in textile and apparel business in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, California, and New York which are the major areas of the US textile and apparel industry.
Findings
This study demonstrates the supplier selection practices of the small- and medium-sized firms in the US textile and apparel industry and their perceptions of supply market and supplier evaluation systems. Results indicate that supplier selection criteria impact firm performance in different ways. Small- and medium-sized firms carry out supplier selection based on product quality, supplier responsiveness, and strategic consideration which positively impact overall customer service level and overall customer satisfaction.
Originality/value
This paper focuses on supply chain management practices, specifically the supplier selection issue in small- and medium-sized firms in the textile and apparel industry.
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Jung E. Ha‐Brookshire and Barbara Dyer
The purpose of this paper is to confirm empirically the existence of a US apparel import intermediary (AII) identity crisis, and to provide a detailed descriptive profile of AIIs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to confirm empirically the existence of a US apparel import intermediary (AII) identity crisis, and to provide a detailed descriptive profile of AIIs, differentiating them from apparel firms not primarily engaged in importing activities.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey study was conducted using a national sample of US AIIs. Based on these firms' executives' responses, a firm identity issue was analyzed and a detailed profile of these firms' business characteristics was developed, using frequency comparisons.
Findings
The study confirmed that US AIIs are currently experiencing an identity crisis, as nearly half of the study respondents misclassified themselves as apparel manufacturers or other business types, suggesting a significant distortion in US Economic Census data. The study also provided a descriptive profile of US AIIs, including geographic location and other business operation characteristics.
Research limitations/implications
Three fourths of the survey respondents were located in the state of New York. Whether most US AIIs truly reside in New York cannot be known with certainty. Generalization of the study findings to a greater population should be cautious.
Practical implications
Confirmation of an AII identity crisis suggests both aggregate and individual firm‐level impacts on import activities. The study offers a new term, “intermediary”, to replace the US Census Bureau term “wholesaler” to accurately reflect the industry's transformation.
Originality/value
The study provides the first empirical support for a US AII identity crisis. The detailed profile of US AIIs offers industry data not available prior to this study.
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Nancy J. Miller, Carol Engel-Enright, Kayna Hobbs and David A. Brown
This study highlights the impact of attaining and incorporating knowledge and building relationships with other firms in US apparel production.
Abstract
Purpose
This study highlights the impact of attaining and incorporating knowledge and building relationships with other firms in US apparel production.
Design/methodology/approach
Producers of apparel and sewn products operating within a US state form the sample for this mixed methods exploration. Study 1 involves a qualitative analysis of the producers highlighting knowledge in interorganizational discussions. Study 2 quantitatively measures responses from 38 producing firms. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to measure associations, and simple slopes were computed to examine interactions.
Findings
The knowledge exchanged, according to participants in study 1, was limited, thus warranting further examination. Results from study 2 revealed strong associations among knowledge absorptive capacity, social interaction and people-oriented culture with network ties. A two-way interaction effect was found for absorptive capacity and social interaction, indicating association between social interaction and network ties was more positive at higher levels of absorption capacity and vice versa.
Research limitations/implications
Findings provide theoretical and applied support for building network ties. This research operationalizes complicated-to-measure constructs critical to the empirical measurement of junctions from two theoretical frameworks, in the context of a specific industry. Though acceptable for exploratory research, additional work is needed to refine reliability measures and to examine a national sample.
Originality/value
This study links elements of social capital- and knowledge-based views of the firm necessary for reviving US apparel production. Broader outcomes from this research include job creation providing support and growth in the US sewn apparel and goods industry that will drive US economy.
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The purpose of this paper is to reconfigure a new component of dynamic capabilities across firms, and to summarize propositions and to construct a conceptual framework of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reconfigure a new component of dynamic capabilities across firms, and to summarize propositions and to construct a conceptual framework of the dynamic capabilities in fashion apparel industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The author used the interviews with the industry experts and trade association executives to develop an understanding of the strategic and technological issues facing the industry and to gain a historical perspective on the evolution of the industry.
Findings
This study explored the establishment of dynamic capability and market competitiveness in the fashion apparel industry from the perspectives of dynamic capability and resources embedment, and brought out the insight that commonalities/component has been overlooked. The “conceptual framework of dynamic capabilities in fashion apparel industry” developed by this study, which consists of the major key factors for the maintenance of fast fashion apparel industry in market competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
Although the five top fashion apparel groups interviewed in this study are representative, there are limits in classification of other brands, which is one of the limitations in this study. Second, although qualitative research can achieve understanding of the utmost layer of situations, its greatest limitation is that it cannot investigate massive amount of interviewees, which is a second limitation in this study.
Originality/value
The theoretical contribution of the study is to construct a conceptual framework of dynamic capabilities in the fashion apparel industry using eight theoretical propositions. Such conceptual framework will become a basic knowledge system for firms in the fashion apparel industry to develop strategic directions, as well as an important knowledge reference to other firms when choosing what to establish as their core competences.
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Nadeesha Abeysekara, Haijun Wang and Duminda Kuruppuarachchi
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which firms in the Sri Lankan apparel industry practice supply-chain-resilience (SCRes) capabilities and examine whether…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which firms in the Sri Lankan apparel industry practice supply-chain-resilience (SCRes) capabilities and examine whether SCRes practices affect the performance and competitive advantage of those firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Uses a conceptual framework to assess SCRes capabilities and to investigate their impact on firm performance and competitive advantage. Uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to quantitatively analyze questionnaire data collected from 89 Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers.
Findings
In the presence of SCRes capabilities in the apparel industry, this study finds that supply-chain risk-management culture positively affects SCRes capabilities, namely re-engineering, agility and collaboration. Agility shows the greatest influence on firm performance and competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the apparel industry sector (a manufacturing sector) in Sri Lanka to maintain the uniformity of the research constructs.
Practical implications
Results imply that management should pay more attention to enhancing SCRMC and prioritizing their SCRes capabilities.
Originality/value
This study is the first to assess SCRes capabilities in the apparel-manufacturing sector and examine the impact of SCRes capabilities on firm performance and competitive advantage.
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Eunju Ko, Doris Kincade and James R. Brown
The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of business type upon the adoption process for quick response (QR) technologies in the apparel industry. Using Rogers’ (1983…
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of business type upon the adoption process for quick response (QR) technologies in the apparel industry. Using Rogers’ (1983) innovation decision process model as our conceptual basis, we empirically investigated three stages of that process as it pertains to QR adoption: persuasion, decision, and implementation. In our study of 103 US apparel manufacturers, we found business type to impact significantly the firms’ perceptions of benefits to be derived from QR. The perceptions of these benefits, in turn, affected the apparel manufacturers’ adoption of a QR strategy which, in turn, influenced their use of various QR technologies.
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Johan Åkesson, Patrik Jonsson and Robert Edanius‐Hällås
The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify different types of sourcing strategies applied in the apparel industry, and to explain how various sourcing strategies are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify different types of sourcing strategies applied in the apparel industry, and to explain how various sourcing strategies are related to the apparel firm's characteristics, prerequisites and supplier performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a survey that was sent out to Swedish apparel firms. Commonly applied sourcing strategies, in terms of supply markets and supply channels, are first derived using cluster analysis. These strategies are then linked to relevant firm characteristics, prerequisites and supplier performance measures, where significant differences between groups of firms applying various sourcing strategies are targeted.
Findings
Five commonly applied sourcing strategies are identified. Further, several significant differences – with respect to product issues, organizational issues and supplier performance – are found between the firm groups.
Research limitations/implications
Several future research areas in conjunction with this study can be derived by widening or changing the scope. For instance, other industries as well as apparel industries in other countries can be targeted and thus provide valuable comparisons.
Practical implications
Assessing the contextual appropriateness of sourcing strategies provides a strategic sourcing benchmark for firms across industries. Notably, apparel firms' experience in exploiting low‐cost supply markets may provide valuable insights for firms that just recently have recognized the potential of these markets.
Originality/value
This paper provides a contextual understanding of how various sourcing strategies are utilized in the Swedish apparel industry, and thereby contributes to the general conception of sourcing strategies.
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Dhwani Gambhir and Seema Sharma
The paper explores the managerial perceptions in Indian apparel manufacturing firms related to production performance, challenges faced, causes of low efficiency and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper explores the managerial perceptions in Indian apparel manufacturing firms related to production performance, challenges faced, causes of low efficiency and the government support needed.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured survey of Indian apparel manufacturing firms was undertaken in person and through the online mode; the questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographic profile of a firm using categorical questions and perceptions of its top managers using a five-point Likert scale.
Findings
The survey findings reveal that most apparel manufacturing firms believe that exporting promotes efficiency and adopt output orientation to production, which may not be suitable in a competitive and uncertain environment. Machines are not used much for value-addition and labour related issues are most pressing challenges. Government support is expected for several aspects such as power supply and skill development.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited by the nature of the sampling method and sample size; perceptions should be explored without bias and with good judgement.
Practical implications
The survey findings suggest that government policy should have a firm-specific approach to support improved production performance along with generic policies to build infrastructure and logistical facilities.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, there has been no such exercise to study managerial perceptions related to production performance in Indian apparel manufacturing in the past decade.
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Emma Jane Riddle, David A. Bradbard, Jane Boyd Thomas and Doris H. Kincade
In response to international competition and pressure from retailers, US apparel manufacturers and their suppliers initiated the Quick Response (QR) program. QR seeks to provide…
Abstract
In response to international competition and pressure from retailers, US apparel manufacturers and their suppliers initiated the Quick Response (QR) program. QR seeks to provide retailers with the exact stock‐keeping units (SKUs) which consumers demand and to deliver these SKUs quickly. An effective QR program requires rapid transmission of data throughout the value chain, from the retailer back to apparel manufacturers, fabric producers and fibre manufacturers. Therefore, electronic data interchange (EDI) is a key component of QR and should be tightly linked with other information systems at each level of the value chain. This research is an empirical study of the degree to which EDI has been implemented by US apparel manufacturers and the extent to which EDI is integrated with other information systems. It was found that apparel manufacturers use EDI to establish tight linkages with their customers, the retailers. Manufacturers are less likely to increase their own efficiencies by linking EDI with internal information systems or by establishing EDI linkages with suppliers. The lack of supplier linkages may reduce manufacturers' ability to replenish retail inventories quickly, which is the primary objective of QR.
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