• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.162-171
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• 2010

This study aims to discuss what changes Korean clothing companies and manufacturers have undergone with production facilities moving abroad due to offshore outsourcing and examine what conditions the clothing manufacturers are facing and how the clothing companies recognize those manufacturers. For these purposes, in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 firms with annual production capacity of more than 200,000 pieces among clothing brands for the domestic market, clothing exporters and promotion agencies. Those interviewed firms were the companies who were found to produce more than 200,000 pieces of clothing per year, and the interview-based survey was conducted from December 18, 2008 to January 30, 2009. The key findings from this study are as follows; first, a high percentage of interviewed firms were producing only a small number of items in Korea with a large part of their production line transferred abroad or outsourcing all of their production abroad only with their headquarters in Korea. Second, many were employing contractors rather than their own factories. Third, when asked about the wage levels of clothing manufacturers, many of the clothing companies gave responses such as: 'They are just our contractor, so we respect their decision,' 'We don't know because it's none of our business,' or 'We don't know at all.' Fourth, when asked about the work environment of clothing manufacturers, the clothing companies gave responses such as: 'We know in part,' 'To our knowledge, they conform to the Labor Standards Law,' or 'We don't know at all.' Fifth, the production line of clothing manufacturers featured straight-line systems, specialization, pairing and compounding/mixing. Sixth, it was found that clothing companies had interest in mass customization but their preparations were not satisfactory.

• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine strategies which clothing manufacturers had employed to make themselves more competitive in the era of fast fashion. The Zimbabwean fashion industry is facing fierce competition from imported fast-fashion products which are lower priced and offer consumers a variety of designs from which to choose. The study made use of a qualitative approach with multiple case study design. In-depth interviews were used to gather data from participants, who were selected using the purposive sampling. The study found that clothing manufacturers had resorted to sub-contracting garment manufacturing work, promoting the buy-Zimbabwe campaign and developing in-house brands. This study offers insights into how the fast-fashion era has impacted the local fashion industry and unveils the practical solutions that local clothing manufacturers have embraced in a bid to remain operational and become globally competitive.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1148-1156
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• 2007

This study were examined Chinese size system and fitness for women's suits of Korean brands produced by the manufacturers operating in China. The results are as follows. 1. One manufacturer used Chinese size system for women's suits among those manufacturers in China. And the rests individually adopted different size system of various ways. 2. Chinese women almost satisfied fitness and size system for suits of Korean brand. Especially, they satisfied fitness and size system for jacket more than the other apparel items. Pants was the worst item of fitness satisfaction. 3. Size assortment of each items was very different for each manufacturers which extended their business in China. And the smallest size was more produced than the other size in many manufacturers. 4. Most of the women's suits manufacturers of Korean brand in China, were collected consumers' informations for fitness and size satisfaction through their salespersons. Most of them replied that they were repairing items which were not in good fitness.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.291-301
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• 2010

Today Korean clothing companies are experiencing difficulties in the global market due to unfavorable business conditions including poor production environments, labor shortage, rising costs, the further opening of the domestic distribution market, and increased competition among them. As a result, this has caused many of Korean clothing companies to transfer their production bases abroad in search of relatively inexpensive labor force, instead of using domestic plants. This study attempted to examine how Korean clothing companies perceive production environments and labor standards with regard to their offshore outsourcing. In such an attempt, in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 brand-name clothing firms. Those interviewed firms were the brands for the domestic or foreign market that were found to produce more than 200,000 pieces of clothing per year, and also the group of interviewees included some promotion service providers. The key findings from this study are as follows: First, a large number of the interviewed clothing companies were found to manage their foreign contract manufacturers by "visiting their factories regularly on a seasonal basis" or "stationing their personnel in factory for management purposes." Second, in relation to quality control in their foreign manufacturers, the most frequent response was to "have personnel stationed in those manufacturers." A smaller number of the clothing companies answered that they had "engaged their production management teams in quality control from time to time," or "used their inspectors to inspect products." Third, when asked about labor standards in foreign contract manufacturers, the largest number of the clothing companies responded, "we apply our own standards." The results of this study suggest that most of domestic clothing companies still use offshore sourcing just as a means of reducing their initial labor costs. However, in the continuously changing environment of the global clothing industry, clothing businesses are required to escape from the early phases of their manufacturing environments and set up more globalized standards.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.703-714
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• 2010

This study assumes that Korea's offshore outsourcing is used for diverse purposes such as designing, the supply of raw and subsidiary materials, production, and manufacturing. The purpose for production exists in the beginning stages of development, because it would have grown in scope since the 1990s when offshore outsourcing began in earnest. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 firms with an annual production capacity of more than 200,000 pieces among clothing brands for the domestic market, clothing exporters, and promotion agencies. The interviews took place from December 18, 2008 to January 30, 2009. The interviewees were limited to the officers who had the authority to select manufacturers and decide on production volumes. Responses from the in-depth interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. The study results are summarized as follows: First, Korean clothing companies were found to rely on offshore outsourcing (China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia). Second, offshore outsourcing focused on the purposes for production; however, even fabrics were often outsourced in the case of production in China. Third, the interviewed firms mentioned cost savings, production cost reduction, and labor cost reduction most frequently as the main reasons for offshore outsourcing. Fourth, customs duties were considered most important in offshore outsourcing. Finally, when deciding on foreign manufacturers for offshore outsourcing, the surveyed clothing companies were found to: select manufacturers after market research in their outsourced countries, maintain existing contracts, or consider design capabilities and price quotations of candidate manufacturers.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.179-191
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• 2003

The study is to suggest easier making method of skirts and slacks as to compare production process between manufacturers and references of clothing construct in universities. Skirts and slacks have simple production process and they are basic subjects in clothing construct class. But most references have just contents which are to make basic styles of skirts and slacks made basic materials. Continuous development of new material and variety of style request more efficient and easer making method in the reference of clothing construct. So the making methods of references and manufacturers are compared and analyzed in this study In references, there are many hand work and sub-work because they are for a person who make own clothes. In contrast, manufacturers have to product many variety clothes of good quality for many people and think the production cost of clothes. They use more simple and efficient method that include their know-how to meet changing fashion situation. In making methods of skirts and slacks, differences between references and manufacturer are in sewing of waist band and zippers and location of interlining. Manufacturers use variedly sewing method of waist band according to material and their experience. Especially handling for wrong side inseam of waist band is distinct between references and manufacturers. References have basic and detail work and manufacturers know processing order having even grade work to keep continuous production. The making method of clothes have to change and improve according to the situation. The more useful making method get to include their merits and references need to add more practical method and knowledge.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.1 s.149
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• pp.38-47
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• 2006

As apparel manufacturers and fabric suppliers are positioned in the middle of the apparel supply chain, these supply chain members build up a partnership to establish a win-win mutual relationship and to gam global competition. This study aimed to provide useful suggestions in setting up operational strategies by investigating the current state of a partnership between apparel manufactures and fabric suppliers. Partnership variables were included as: cooperative attitude, information sharing, interdependency, communications, strategic fit trust and commitment. Manufacturers' performance included productive/economic/emotional performance. A questionnaire was distributed to apparel manufactures who are doing business with fabric suppliers. A total of 101 complete questionnaires were used for further analysis. The results were as follows; First, apparel manufacturers do business with $10\~20$ fabric suppliers mainly, duration of business relation with main partners ranged from 1 year to 30 years, with 7 years on average. Among criteria with which apparel manufactures select fabric suppliers, quality and delivery-time were the most important. Second, cooperative attributes, communications, and strategic fit were positively related with trust. The higher commitment led to the high level of interdependency and strategic fit and tend to more trustworthy. Trust and commitment were significantly re lated with manufacturers' performance(i.e., productive/economic/emotional performance). This study is expected to contribute to increase the better performance for domestic apparel manufacturers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.678-689
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze strategic alliances in fashion business in Korea and to describe the trends of alliances. Fashion business was divided into textile manufacturers, apparel manufacturers, retailers, and service businesses. Alliance cases were collected from articles in various sources of periodicals searched from data bases. A total of 247 alliance cases in fashion business from January 2000 to August 2003 were analyzed. Cases were categorized into horizontal alliances among competitors in the same distribution channel and vertical alliances with partners in a different channel within the fashion business and into alliances with partners outside the fashion business. The study described the patterns of each of the vertical and horizontal alliances within and between textile manufacturers, apparel manufacturers. and retailers as well as the alliances with service businesses outside the fashion business.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.44 no.2 s.216
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• pp.49-59
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• 2006

Mourning culture has tended to be reduced to mere empty formalities with more simplified regulations. Changes in modern life style make it difficult to perform extended mourning ceremonies and the venues for mourning ceremony have shifted from private homes to chapels of rest in hospitals or Funeral Homes. Mourning clothing, the symbol of filial duty, has gradually been changed in shape. The study purposes were to research in the shapes of modern mourning clothing through field study on mourning clothing manufacturers and to compare traditional mourning clothing with the modern varieties through the actual making of traditional male mourning clothing based on old regulations. The study of mourning clothing through actual making prevents transformation and provides practical research data. The study methods were inquiry into old documents, field study, and actual clothing making. The study results are as follows. First, in terms of shape, traditional and modern mourning clothing are different in Garyeong, Lim and Daehacheok of Choiui. In case of Choisang, traditional clothing has one central plait in its front and rear sides while modern clothing one has 3 single plaits in each side. Second, in terms of sewing, traditional mourning clothing leaves an exterior margin to sew up in Choiui and an internal one in Choisang. However, modern mourning clothing has various types of sewing and plaits depending on the manufacturers and all sewing is done by machine. Third, in terms of material, traditional mourning clothing is made of Korean hemp and features narrow width, while modern clothing is made of Chinese hemp and features broad width.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.307-317
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• 2005

The purpose of this study are to examine the supply chain management (SCM) actiities of apparel manufacturers and then to investigate the relation between apparel manufacturers' SCM activities and their major textile suppliers' and retaileers' characteristics. The data was collected from the apparel manufacturers categorized into the six product areas - woman's formal dress(30%), boy and girl's casual wear (30%), man's formal dress(15%), sports and golf wear(10%), inner wear (10%) and infant & children's wear(5%) - headquartered in Seoul, by quota convenience sampling during August 14-September 4 in 2003. From 150 questionnires of delivery, 125 were collected and 123 from 64 manufacturers were used for analysis. The SPSSWIN 10.0 was used for frequency analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis and canonical correlation analysis. the results of the study are as follows : (1) The SCM activities of apparel manufacturers showed that the activity levels of the factors of information systems ans understanding of demand characteristics were ranked on top while the activity level of collaborative partnership factor was lowest. (2) As the level of SCM activities such as communication and exchange of opinion, and commitment and leadership of a top management became higher, the elements of delivery performance, interest in total cost and relationship of the textile suppliers were more improved. (3) The SCM activities such as communication an exchange of opinion, intgrated management organization, management flexibilty, and collaorative partnership contributed for improvement of collaborative relationship with retailers.