• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.160-174
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• 2005

Despite the decrease in the number of children due to low birth rate, the domestic children's apparel market has been achieving steady growth as family income is rising thanks to more opportunities for working women, parents spend more on their children, and they prefer brand products that make their children look special. In addition, the market is suffering from hard competition as large enterprises have joined the race. The present study purposed to survey the children's apparel market in Korea, which is in a transitional period, and to contribute to the development of the market with Korean brands. For this purpose, we analyzed the characteristics of children's apparel brands in the 21st century based on the current state of the domestic children's apparel market and, based on the findings, forecasted the future trend of children's apparel brands, suggested improvements for expected problems, proposed standards for coping with changes such as diversification, high quality and differentiation in the children's apparel market, and provided consumers with information on how to purchase products. According to the result of analyzing the characteristics of children's apparel brands in the 21st century, brands are categorized largely into four types - life cultural brands, functional product brands, character brands and brands advancing to China. Life cultural brands equipped with all necessities for children are expanding, and with the deepening social problems of environmental pollution and the reduction of the child population, functional products made of environment-friendly materials are spreading widely, targeting infants and children. Furthermore, for extending age targets and diversifying products, children's apparel is using characters. The use of characters is expected to have a considerable effect on the growth of brands because children are more subjective as consumers than before and they are more easily persuaded with characters. Domestic children's apparel brands advancing to China have a high expectation of success in overcoming the limitation of the local market that has reached its peak and growing into global brands. Korean apparel makers are struggling to overcome the depressed domestic market, to recover consumers' consumption, to cope with market opening, to pursue high value of sensibility and to expand the seniors' market, etc. In this situation, future trends of children's apparel brands will be the expansion of family brands, brand totalization, quality price, niche market (pre-teen market), etc. In response to these trends, we made the following suggestions for improvement. 1. Children's apparel brands are evolving into family brands as well as into total brands through voluming. Today, however, apparel makers are advancing to the children's apparel market with the concept of adults' apparel and, as a result, children's apparel is merely adults' apparel of reduced size, having problems in design, color and materials. Thus, apparel makers must develop design considering the wide range of size and the characteristics of children's apparel, strengthen sourcing abilities to create revenues, and make thorough survey of customers to find common denominators between adults' apparel and children's apparel considering that characteristic that the target class is different from the buyer class. Furthermore, they must make active investments in human resources, develop outstanding products through advanced planning and design, and support marketing techniques and management systems to stores. 2. As the declining birth rate will continue to have a negative effect on the market, it may be difficult to expand the market size but there is still a margin for growth through high-sensibility and high-quality products. The competitiveness of brands is determined by their market shares. Accordingly, concepts should be specialized according to lifestyle, customers' diverse needs should be satisfied, and cross-coordination should be achieved within a brand. 3. Considering Korean parents who do not spare investment in their children despite shrinking consumption, functional products must be high value-added goods that can enhance efficiency. However, in the current situation of the infants' apparel industry where a textile manufacturer supply its products to multiple brands, it is difficult to develop unique products only based on materials. Thus, it is considered urgent to appeal to consumers not by relying on materials only but by finding methods of applying their own characters to children's dress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1878-1890
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• 2008

The main objective of this study was to examine how Chinese consumers' perceptions toward Korean apparel products have changed over the years. Specifically, motives for purchasing Korean apparel products, information sources, purchase criteria and evaluation on Korean apparel products were investigated. Data were collected in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007 from young female Chinese in Beijing, China during the months of June and July. A total of 603 questionnaires were collected and 578 were used in the final analysis. The results of two-way analysis of variance by year and purchase experience indicated that in overall, purchase motives and importance of various information sources changed greatly over the years, while evaluation on Korean apparel products have remained relatively stable. In comparison to the longitudinal changes in Chinese perception toward Korean apparel products, Chinese consumers' perception toward Korean apparel products did not differ significantly in most of variables according to purchase experience.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.27 no.9_10
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• pp.1081-1092
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify the current situation of textiles and apparel firms in the overseas markets and to examine the relationship between firms' characteristic(i.e., sales volume) and international marketing strategies. A random sample of 311 textiles and apparel firms were selected. The survey design method was used to test conceptual framework. Adjusted response rate was 33.4%(n=115). Descriptive analysis (i.e., frequency, percent) and $\chi$$^2$-test were used for data analysis. About the current situation of textiles and apparel firms in the overseas markets, the motivation for international market entry was highly found to expand their operation from domestic to international market, and most firms were found to be involved with OEMs(Original Equipment Manufacturers) as an entry mode for international market. China and US market were the most popular market among Korean textiles and apparel firms. Product differentiation strategy, pricing strategy based on manufacturing cost and buyer's offering price, place strategy using foreign buyers and participating a few international exhibition were frequently used among Korean textiles and apparel firms for international marketing. Among textile firms, sales volume was related to product strategies(product development), price strategy(buyer's offer) and place strategy(channel). Among apparel firms, product strategy(product labeling), price strategy(price satisfaction). The findings of this can be used when Korean textiles and apparel firms do strategic planning and evaluate the international marketing strategies. Also information and results of this study may assist policy makers to develop better ideas and strategies for textiles and apparel industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1760-1770
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was 1) to find effects of private Guanxi and organizational relationship on quality of organizational relationship, 2) to find effects of private Guanxi and organizational relationship on performance of distribution channel, and 3) to also find effects of quality of organizational relationship on performance of distribution channel. Apparel manufacturers and distributors in China participated in the study. Random sampling method was used to collect the data. Data from 173 questionnaires were used for the statistical analysis. Factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and regression analysis was conducted. Two factors of private Guanxi were classified(i.e., affective Guanxi, instrumental Guanxi). Three factors of organizational relationship type were identified(i.e., opportunistic relationship, cooperative relationship, vertical relationship). The result indicated that affective Guanxi in terms of private Guanxi positively affected on quality of organizational relationship. Cooperative relationship and vertical relationship in terms of organizational relationship positively affected on quality of organizational relationship. Affective Guanxi positively affected on non-financial performance and financial performance in terms of performance of distribution channel. Instrumental Guanxi in terms of private Guanxi positively affected on financial performance only. Cooperative relationship in terms of organizational relationship positively affected on non-financial performance and vertical relationship positively affected on financial performance. Quality of organizational relationship positively affected on non-financial performance and vertical relationship positively affected on financial performance.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.141-150
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors to influence on buying behavior of Chinese male consumers in regards to apparel types. Furthermore, this study provided fundamental data for marketing strategy in export apparel business to China from domestic apparel business. Returned 863 questionnaires from Chinese male consumers analyzed by factor analysis, and multidimensional scaling with SPSS10.0. The result of this study were as follows: Chinese male consumers bought formal wear with evaluating two groups of factors; one for functional (fitness, A/S, durability, and management), the other for external (brand, and trend). They bought casual wear with evaluating three groups of factors; functional/useful (price, A/S, and durability), aesthetic (color, and design), and external (brand and trend). Also they bought sports wear with evaluating three groups of factors; functional/useful(price, A/S, durability, and fabric), aesthetic(design and color), and external(brand and coordination).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.29 no.12 s.148
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• pp.1562-1570
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• 2005

The purpose of this thesis is to find the effective way of practical education in the fashion related department in order to supply the appropriate experts to the Korean apparel manufacturers located in Dalian, China. The interviews were made twice from $25^{th}$ of Feb. to $15^{th}$ of Mar. 2005 and from $28^{th}$ of July to 31st of July 2005 through the method ot a direct interview with the CEOs of the 7 representative apparel manufactures. The results of the interviews were as following. Seven companies$(100\%)$ participated in the survey all complained of insufficient workers. Also the companies were having difficulties at finding appropriate workers who can handle designing, management, and circulation, because specialists who are fluent in Korean and Chinese are very rare. Moreover, Korean apparel manufacturers are now taking a step further to launch a high quality fashion brand, getting out of the simple hand work depending on low wage or low-tech(6 companies $85.7\%$). Thus, well-educated fashion specialists(intermediate manager) are required on the part of Korean clothing companies or apparel manufacturers in China. It is expected the intermediate managers and the specialists who are capable of launching a new brand will be urgently needed. Therefore, appropriate educations in Korea would be essential to minimize the problems the Korean fashion specialists might face in China. 1 would like to present three suggestions. 1. The highly educated Korean fashion specialists on apparel industry will be a solution both to the high jobless status in our country and to the deficiency in human resources of Korean apparel manufacturers in Dalian. 2. The students in the college should learn how to write down the working chart and matching chart in practical conditions. Taking an intern-ship in working factories in China during a certain period of time will be helpful. 3. The experts should be trained with emphasis on the quality, design, and value of the brand. This study will be used as a base for Koreans who work in fashion related department to enter the Chinese fashion market having a great potential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.4 s.163
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• pp.507-518
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• 2007

This study aimed to investigate the competitive advantages of Chinese fashion industry and firms to Korean fashion industry by applying the generalized double-diamond theory. Data collection was done by internet and fax survey. Questionnaires were distributed to the Korean textiles and apparel firms who entered China for production anuor distribution. List of firms were provided by KOFOTI, KOTRA, and Korea Apparel Industry Association. Total 198 questionnaires were distributed, and 77 questionnaires were used for final analysis. The results were follows. Korea's competitiveness scores of double-diamond model were higher in every aspects, such as demand condition, infra/supportive industry, firms's strategy and competition except factor condition. Glottalization score in double diamond model measured by the degree of glottalization which was determined by international diamond factors which make firm's multinational/international activities possible. Chinese fashion industry's globalization score of factor condition was significantly higher than Korea, but for the rest of aspects, Korean fashion industry showed higher scores. Therefore, Korean fashion firms can overcome comparative disadvantage of factor condition by utilizing Chinese fashion industry no matter what type of entry. In addition, considering the growth rate of Chinese fashion industry and its power of influence in the world market, the entry to the global market of the Korean fashion industry can be possible.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.93-104
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• 2003

This study investigated clothing shopping propensity and consumer awareness of Chinese adult men to provide necessary basic data for effective construction to cope with inroads into Chinese men's wear market. Research subjects were Chinese men in big five city (Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Harbin, Guangzhou). Returned 863 questionnaires were analyzed by mean, factor analysis, ANOVA, Duncan's Multiple Range, regression analysis with SPSS 10.0. Results of this research were as follows: 1. Chinese men's apparel shopping propensity factors were analyzed by four groups, such as fashion toward propensity, consume propensity, brand loyalty propensity, and casual preference propensity. 2. Consume propensity among 4 factors influenced most on consumer buying awareness. Brand loyalty propensity among 4 factors influenced most on consumer brand awareness. Fashion toward propensity influenced most on consumer fashion awareness. 3. According to region, there were significant differences to four grouped apparel shopping propensities. Harbin, Guangzhou were indicated higher fashion toward propensity than other areas. Guangzhou was indicated higher consume propensity than Dalian. Dalian was showed lower brand loyalty propensity than other areas. Beijing was showed higher casual preference propensity than Guangzhou. According to income, there were significant differences to four apparel shopping propensities. Highest income group was showed higher fashion toward propensity than other income. The higher men earned income, the higher brand loyalty propensity. Highest income group was showed lower casual preference propensity than lowest income.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.158-175
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to understand and improve the clothing habits and the apparel industry of North Korea in preparation for the reunification of South and North Korea. For this study, literary data, reports, periodicals, interviews and internet data of the two Koreas were reviewed. North Korean clothing habits used to be monotonous and uniform but nowadays people's clothes have become somewhat brighter in color and more diverse in design than before. In particular, liberal and individual dressing habits appeared among the privileged classes. When taking part in national events, women have to wear the traditional Korean costume, Hanbok, while men wear business suits for formal wear. In general, men don't wear Hanbok. Students have to be in uniforms but blue jeans, T-shirts with English logos were popular among them reflecting their sensitivity and openness towards western cultures. The brides usually wear pink Hanboks and the bridegrooms wear black business suits for their wedding. North Koreans also wear Hanbok on national holidays like South Koreans. Clothing is the most important item in the trade of process commission between North and South Korea. Trading items are mid to low end men's clothing for the most part due to less emphasis on fashion in the North. The processing is indirect trade and composed of sample making and contracting, sending out materials and production, carrying in goods and setting accounts. To activate South-North trade, establishment of infrastructure, stabilization of shipping, reducing high costs of distribution, building direct communication system by setting up office in a neutral zone and simplifying procedures in applying for the South and North Korea Economic Cooperation Fund. On the other hand, clothing and textiles education is carried on at art colleges, light industries colleges and commercial colleges in Pyongyang. Clothing institutes which study Hanbok and Western clothes, are installed in each city and province. Graduates who majored in clothing and textiles are posted in institutes or apparel factories. Their job is designing, patternmaking and sewing for their customers. Most of them are women and in good state of economic conditions. The North Korean clothing industry has been the core national industry that has developed based on overseas demand form the mid 1980s. The standard is that of South Korea in the early 1980s. In 1999, trade of North Korean textile products with trade counterparts such as Japan and China was $1.3 million in exports and $1.27 in imports. Of this amount the export takes up 25.4% of the total exports in North Korea. However, fundamentally even in sectors that are irrelevant to politics such as the fashion clothing industry, trust between the South and North should be a prerequisite. Only through this can exchange between North and South and economic cooperation contribute towards the reunification.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.458-468
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• 2021

In the context of Sustainable development, China, the world's second-largest apparel market, is also concerned about the environmental impact of fiber waste. Currently, there is a great interest in sustainable fashion in both supply and demand in China. Based on the theory of planned behavior(TPB), the determinants of sustainable fashion consumption(SFC) of Chinese consumers were evaluated in this study: man-nature orientation(MNO) and environmental knowledge(EK) as motivation and perceived online-store accessibility(POA) and perceived money availability(PMA) as barriers. Wenjuanxing, a Chinese professional survey collection agency, conducted an online survey of millennials in Shanghai, China. The final sample size for the survey was 215. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The results indicated that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly affected the purchase intention towards sustainable fashion products. MNO and EK influenced the attitude, whereas EK, POA, and PMA influenced perceived behavioral control. This study contributes to the TPB literature through the examination of four antecedents: MNO, EK, POA, and PMA. The findings provide valuable insights for retailers and markets based on the identification of the motivations and barriers that enhance the purchasing intention of Chinese millennials toward SFC.