by Lee Lai Shan, Cindy. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-180). / LIST OF TABLES / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- VOLUNTARY EXPORT RESTRAINT (VER)- AN OVERVIEW / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- What is a VER? --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- Why is VER adopted? --- p.10 / Chapter 2.4 --- Characteristics of VER --- p.13 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion --- p.16 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.17 / Chapter 3.2 --- Theoretical Studies --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Heterogenous Product Approach / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Homogenous Product Approach / Chapter 3.3 --- Empirical Studies --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Heterogenous Product Approach / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Homogenous Product Approach / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusion --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- QUALITY EFFECT OF VER REVISITED / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Model --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Assumptions / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Analysis / Chapter 4.3 --- Conclusion --- p.60 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- EMPIRICAL STUDY: MEASURING QUALITY ADJUSTMENT OF HONG KONG'S CLOTHING EXPORT UNDER VER / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.65 / Chapter 5.2 --- Hong Kong's Clothing Export -- An Overview --- p.69 / Chapter 5.3 --- Multifibre Arrangement (MFA) and Its Relationship with Hong Kong's Clothing Export --- p.77 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Multifibre Arrangement / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Multifibre Arrangement and Hong Kong / Chapter 5.4 --- Methodology --- p.84 / Chapter 5.5 --- Data --- p.92 / Chapter 5.6 --- Results and Analysis --- p.102 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- Aggregate Export of Clothing / Chapter 5.6.2 --- Restricted Vs Unrestricted Clothing / Chapter 5.6.3 --- Restricted Clothing by Types of Material / Chapter 5.6.4 --- Restricted Clothing by Types of Clothing / Chapter 5.7 --- Conclusion --- p.167 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS --- p.170 / REFERENCES --- p.177 / APPENDIX 1 CLASSIFICATION OF QUOTA CATEGORIES IN HONGKONG-US AGREEMENT (1993) --- p.181 / APPENDIX 2 CLASSIFICATION OF QUOTA CATEGORIES IN HONGKONG-EC AGREEMENT (1993) --- p.183

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

The challenge of enhancing competitiveness in a globalizing world is a continuous one, requiring action not only on narrow trade policy concerns but also in a complementary area such as the macro-economic environment to human resource management. The present report offers an overall view of the textile and clothing industries' opportunities and constrains. It proposes liberalization of trade policy with China as well as proper macro-economic environments, regulatory structures support to allow these industries to thrive and be/come robust by building an effective and efficient supply chain. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The internet has introduced a new channel of sales to the retail industry. Traditionally, the bricks and mortar retail space has predominated the retail giants’ attention; however, the e-commerce space has introduced a new dynamic they cannot ignore. South Africa, as a developing country, has faced challenges with the availability of internet access across all its regions due to the geographical location and spread. Location and logistics are but a few of the challenges facing the e-commerce organisation and consumer. A review of the public literature has identified a gap in research into the critical success factors and challenges facing the clothing e-commerce industry in South Africa. The intention of this study was to identify key themes of critical success criteria and challenges facing the clothing e-commerce industry by interviewing e-commerce professionals. The open questions and challenges identified through these interviews were combined with open questions from the literature review to form a primary questionnaire that could be launched to a primary consumer market segment. This retail consumer market was approached through a mall intercept survey and an online survey to obtain a reasonable representation of internet users and non-internet users in the target sample. Key findings from the e-commerce professional and manager interviews ratified the key themes of the critical success factors and challenges identified in the public literature review. The interviews did, however, place stronger emphasis on product range, price and customer service as being key contribution areas for critical success factors. The research identified a good product range, experienced and skilled senior management, good customer service, a robust and quality logistics model, strong security and clearly defined efficient internal processes. The research also identified high delivery costs and delays, product promised is not the product delivered, inefficient return policies and low quality e-commerce websites as key challenges facing the clothing e-commerce industry. The researcher suggests that further research can be conducted on the consumer adoption rates of clothing e-commerce and the impact of the declining Rand on the profitability of clothing e-commerce in South Africa.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report details the critical success factors for consideration in developing a quick response (QR) supply chain strategy for fashion apparel retailers in South Africa. Quick response is the recent supply chain management development that supports a fast fashion business model most evident within the North American and European fashion apparel market. A QR supply chain strategy differs from previous supply chain management principles as it utilises consumer data to create a demand driven network in order to co-ordinate functions through the supply chain. This differs from the standard ‘push’ model evident within the normal fashion apparel cycle and follows a more consumer-centric approach to product demand. The continued success and growth of four of the global fashion apparel, retail organisations as listed by Deloitte’s Global Powers of Retailing 2014 survey, is attributed to the ability of these retailers to respond in season to consumer demand. These leading organisations have effectively adapted and incorporated a QR strategy into their broader competitive offering. South African fashion apparel retailers have recently begun introducing the philosophy and operational strategy of QR to their overriding business strategy, however, current implementation is limited and the full advantages of QR practises in comparison to the northern hemisphere markets is not being realised. Based on the limited amount of local retail and manufacturing QR information, limited availability of sales data for statistical analysis, increasing levels of competition and slow economic growth, a clear understanding of QR is needed. Critically, phased implementation of QR in South Africa requires a clear understanding of the critical success factors (CSF) needed for upfront engagement between retailers and manufacturers. The primary research question was therefore, what are the critical success factors for QR implementation in the South African fashion apparel sector? The purpose of this research was to define a priority list of critical success factors for consideration by defining the scope of QR thinking within business and clarifying the degree and level of application in northern hemisphere markets as lessons for the local sector. Three research aspects were conducted in determining the critical success factors for South Africa. An academic literature review was used to describe the development of QR and identify those factors within the field of supply chain management. This was used to define the scope of questions and themes for interviews with local industry professionals. The results of these interviews were then compared to insights from case studies of global, fast fashion retailers in order to define the priority list of factors. The primary findings for the South African retail sector were: that effective QR implementation should be strongly aligned to the strategic positioning of retail and manufacturing cluster of organisations. Detailed consideration of the benefits for both supply chain members, as well as the level of communication and exchange of information was critical in developing the responsiveness required from the supply chain. Collaborative product design featured frequently within the research and required new processes and organisational structures to be implemented effectively. The findings of the research provide a concise, viable set of factors for retail and manufacturing engagement. These factors can be used to structure long term, sustainable quick response practises to enable greater adoption and implementation within the South African sector. This will encourage more close-to-home product development and enable retailers to better utilise local manufacturing resources while remaining competitive.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

This reseacrh report is about the current role of the government/state in the restructuring of the clothing and textile industry in South Africa

The purpose of this study was to investigate supply chain relationships within the apparel retail product development process under a single site case study setting. Relationship determinants (i.e. drivers, facilitators and barriers) that facilitated or impeded the degree of collaborative efforts between the retailer and the supply chain members were identified. As the retailer integrated its product development process with its suppliers, a triangular relationship was formed between the retailer, the overseas manufacturers, and the designated suppliers. The study found that the retailer sought operational efficiency in its business relationships with supply chain members, but continued to seek long-term commitment in these relationships to establish a virtual vertical company.

Service quality defined by the customer is an important element in satisfying customers and may determine retail survival. The SERVQUAL instrument measured desired and minimum expectations and perceptions of service quality in a small apparel specialty store. Factor analysis with varimax rotation resulted in three dimensions of service quality for both desired and minimum levels of expectations and perceptions: (a) Personal Attention, (b) Reliability, and (c) Tangibles. Regression analyses determined the relationship between overall service quality (OSQ) and various predictor variables. Based on gap scores between desired expectations and perceptions, the Personal Attention and Tangibles dimensions were significant in predicting OSQ. SERVQUAL is a managerial tool that small apparel retailers may use to improve service quality.