Competition Among Domestic Apparel Manufacturers

134 Pages·2017·0.61 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2017
Competition Among Domestic Apparel
Manufacturers
Mary Simpson
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Mary Simpson

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Timothy Malone, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Dr. Jon Corey, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty
Dr. Richard Johnson II, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2017
Abstract
Competition Among Domestic Apparel Manufacturers
by
Mary P. Simpson

MBA, Liberty University, 2006
BS, Liberty University, 1986

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
August 2017
Abstract
Apparel manufacturing characterizes a sustainable means of creating employment and
encouraging economic growth; however, 86% of U.S. apparel manufacturing companies
and 74.7% in North Carolina have closed since the late 1990s. Less than 3% of apparel
bought in the United States is domestic. The purpose of this case study was to explore the
strategies used by American apparel manufacturing business leaders who produce
competitive products using Porter’s diamond theory as the conceptual framework. Data
were collected through semistructured interviews of 4 business leaders from an apparel
manufacturer that had been in business a minimum of 5 years in North Carolina. Member
checking and transcript review were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings.
Data were coded using a qualitative analysis software. Coded data were analyzed to
identify themes. The results led to 3 major themes: technology, time, and brand
development. The findings revealed that apparel manufacturing business managers used
technology to produce competitive apparel products by owning the fiber, fabric, and
technologies in the apparel products and shortened lead-times to the retailer. New
knowledge from this study could contribute to social change through improved
opportunities for apparel workers, improved business strategies among apparel
manufacturing business leaders, and increased demand for apparel products produced in
the United States. The findings from this study may also contribute to positive social
change by potentially increasing business prospects for apparel manufacturers, suppliers,
auxiliary businesses, thereby increasing revenue in North Carolina and the United States.
Competition Among Domestic Apparel Manufacturers
by
Mary P. Simpson

MBA, Liberty University, 2006
BS, Liberty University, 1986

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
August 2017
Dedication
I dedicate my dissertation to my late parents, C. J. and Melba Simpson. I dedicate
this dissertation to Jesus Christ who, through the entire process, helped me persevere
every step of the way and through every obstacle. I dedicate this dissertation to my loving
husband, Hoyt B. Alford, III, who married me despite working on my doctorate
continuously throughout the first 5 years of our marriage. He is a loving and encouraging
husband. Thank you to Dr. Timothy Malone and my committee members, without them, I
would not graduate.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................2
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................3
Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................4
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................4
Research Question .........................................................................................................6
Interview Questions .......................................................................................................6
Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................7
Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................8
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................9
Assumptions .............................................................................................................9
Limitations ...............................................................................................................9
Delimitations ..........................................................................................................10
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................10
Contribution to Business Practice ..........................................................................11
Implications for Social Change ..............................................................................11
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................12
Organization of the Literature Review ..................................................................14
A Brief History of Apparel Globalization and Industrialization ...........................15
Global Competition in the Apparel Industry .........................................................16
Global Supply Chain ..............................................................................................28
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Consumers..............................................................................................................36
Fast Fashion Versus Slow Fashion ........................................................................39
Social Responsibility .............................................................................................40
Overview of Technology and Advancements in Apparel and Textile
Industry ......................................................................................................42
The Apparel Manufacturing Industry ....................................................................43
The Textile Manufacturing Industry ......................................................................49
Fibers, Yarns, and Finishes Used in Textile Production ........................................52
Redefined Manufacturing ......................................................................................53
Trade Agreements for Imports and Exports...........................................................54
Corporate Social Responsibility: A Global Issue ..................................................57
Transition .....................................................................................................................60
Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................61
Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................61
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................62
Participants ...................................................................................................................63
Research Method and Design ......................................................................................64
Research Method ...................................................................................................65
Research Design.....................................................................................................65
Population and Sampling .............................................................................................67
Ethical Research...........................................................................................................70
Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................71
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Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................72
Data Organization Techniques .....................................................................................73
Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................74
Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................75
Reliability ...............................................................................................................75
Validity ..................................................................................................................77
Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................78
Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implication for Change ....................79
Introduction ..................................................................................................................79
Presentation of Findings ..............................................................................................79
Emergent Themes ........................................................................................................79
Theme 1: Technology ............................................................................................81
Theme 2: Time .......................................................................................................82
Theme 3: Brand/Industry .......................................................................................84
Application of Professional Practices ..........................................................................87
Implication for Social Change .....................................................................................88
Recommendations for Actions .....................................................................................89
Recommendations for Further Research ......................................................................91
Reflections ...................................................................................................................92
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................94
References ..........................................................................................................................95

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Appendix A: Sample Letter of Cooperation ....................................................................121
Appendix B: Sample E-mail Letter #1 .............................................................................122
Appendix C: Sample E-mail Letter #2 .............................................................................123

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