The Qualitative Study on Conflict between Apparel Manufacturers and Contractors in Distribution Channel of Fashion Industry

패션유통경로내의 하청공장 갈등에 관한 질적 연구

Fashion marketing channels experience conflicts inevitably because of constant interaction among fabric producers, apparel manufacturers, contractors, and retailers. However, it is rarely that attempts has been made to identify causes of conflicts in distribution channel of fashion industry. The purpose of this study was to explore causes of conflicts from the standpoint of a contractor. For this study, data were collected from the owner or the manager represented with a contractor in fashion maketing channels. By means of in-depth interviews with multiple informants, their statement was analyzed qualitatively. From analysis of the resulting data, the causes of conflict were associated with two broad sets, attitudinal and structural differences between apparel manufacturers and contractors. First, attitudinal sources of conflict were identified as perception of subordinated relationships between channel members, delayed announcement on order changes, difficulties in communication by using different terms, different expectations between channel members in controlling product quality, and lack of credit in inspecting products. Second, structural sources of conflict involved unilateral decision on wages for contracting, lengthy payment period derived from a bill of credit, deficient autonomy in selecting auxiliary suppliers, unreasonable issues on lead time, and unfair transaction in selecting a contractor or inspecting finished products. There are limitations on generalization due to the results based on interviews, but this study will be a useful exploratory step before designing a large scale survey.