The problem of this study is to review and compare the curricula of selected American, proprietary, fashion merchandising colleges and to examine what kinds of similarities and differences exist among their curricula. Using the schools' respective catalogues, the combined curricula was categorized into sixteen tables representing the different types of courses offered, with the study colleges listed in opposition to the courses; the courses were then checked off in opposition to the schools offering them. To demonstrate the similarities and differences in curricula, a short summary accompanies each table to point out trends, and a final chapter summarizes the findings. The conclusion discusses the remarkable similarity in the courses offered by the schools and recommends further parallel studies comparing other postsecondary schools' curricula.

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Cities, as epicenters of resource consumption and waste production, play a crucial role in spearheading the transition towards a circular economy, where waste is minimized and the lifecycle of resources is maximized. Fashion industry activities, in particular, are predominantly concentrated in the urban context, from design activities to consumption and disposal. Given their role as centers of entrepreneurship and innovation, what opportunities and challenges do cities present in facilitating an industrial paradigm shift towards circularity in the fashion industry? How do entrepreneurial actors and supportive intermediaries pave the way toward a circular system? This dissertation examines the processes of entrepreneurship and the dynamics of learning that propel the fashion industry toward a circular economy, or circular fashion. It brings together literature on circular economy businesses and entrepreneurship with economic geography insights into the localized processes of innovation and entrepreneurship within cultural and creative industries. The three papers presented contribute to the expanding field of research and practice in the circular economy and circular fashion by underscoring the significance of proximity relations, entrepreneurial initiatives, and the dynamics of knowledge intermediation. Through a systematic literature review and a case study of New York City’s fashion industry, the three papers cultivate a nuanced understanding on the micro-dynamics of circular fashion entrepreneurship and relational processes that accompany the transition towards circular fashion. They highlight the importance of the interplay between geographical and non-geographical proximities, place-based entrepreneurial initiatives, and knowledge coordination efforts, offering a comprehensive view of the circular fashion landscape and policy implications.

by Chan Kam-hung, Andy. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Bibliography: leaf 69. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.v / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / CHAPTER / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- RETAIL INFORMATION SYSTEM --- p.3 / Key Components of Retail Information System --- p.4 / Techonological Trend for Retail Information System --- p.11 / Chapter III. --- RESEARCH OBJECTIVES / Fashion Retailing in Hong Kong --- p.14 / Defining Research Objectives --- p.15 / Chapter IV. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.16 / The Setting of Questionnaire --- p.17 / Conducting the Survey --- p.18 / Research Limitation --- p.19 / Chapter V. --- RESULTS AND ANALYSIS / Survey Responses --- p.20 / Analysis Techniques --- p.21 / Analysis of Company Background Information --- p.22 / Review of Current Status of Computerization --- p.23 / Assessment of Key Success Factors for Computerization and Implementation Priority --- p.25 / Application of Advanced Tools in Retailing --- p.26 / Analysis of Key Factors in Selecting Advanced Tools --- p.28 / Chapter VI. --- INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS / Current Utilization of Computerized Retail Information Systems and Advanced System Tools --- p.29 / Overall Utilization --- p.30 / Hardware --- p.32 / Application Systems --- p.32 / Advanced System Tools --- p.35 / Attitude Towards Future Computerization --- p.37 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION --- p.40 / APPENDICES --- p.44 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.69

Thesis( MTech( Marketing Management)) -- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / South Africa’s retail sector is competitive, and is characterized by a tough and uncertain business environment (Barlow, 2002:21). Amidst such challenges, Dotson and Patton (1992:15-28) found that retailers do not deliver desired services to their customers. To ensure competitive survival, retailers should differentiate themselves and continuously seek ways to maximize the value that they offer to their customers (Parikh, 2006:45-55). Service quality has been identified by Berry (1986:1-9) as the most basic strategy for retailers to create competitive advantages and to improve customers’ shopping experience. This study focuses on determining consumer perceptions of service quality of large clothing retailers within the Cape Metropolitan area, with the aim of identifying areas for improvement, as well as service quality determinants, which are most important to consumers.Secondary objectives include: to establish consumer expectations in terms of service quality determinants; to establish, which areas of service quality require improvement; to provide recommendations to improve service quality based on findings from the study, and to compare consumer perceptions of service quality amongst ad hoc shoppers against those who have accounts (credit facilities) at various retail stores. Quantitative research was conducted by means of face-to-face survey research, and includes results from 120 questionnaires. Interviews, which took the form of store intercepts, were conducted outside the entrance of selected retail stores, and took place during the last week of March. Stores were selected through random multi-stage sampling, while respondents were selected through a systematic sampling process. A descriptive research design was used. The content of the questionnaire was developed based on Dabolkar, Thorpe and Rentz’s (1996:3-16) RSQS structure, which captures the dimensions of service quality in retail stores. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software, and was presented numerically by making use of charts. The major findings of the study relates to levels of consumer satisfaction with the existing levels of service quality delivered by large clothing retailers within the Cape Metropolitan area for ad-hoc shoppers, as well as account holders. The findings of this study could bring about new strategies for the improvement of service quality among large clothing retailers in the Cape Metropolitan area. These strategies will contribute towards creating a competitive advantage through the use of service quality, and will ultimately contribute towards the long-term success of large clothing retailers within the Cape Metropolitan area.

The purpose of this project is to apply public relations theoretical frameworks and advertising strategies to the public relations campaign for Bangkok Fashion week to increase the number of domestic participants.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: PEP is a devision of Pepkor Retail Limited and is the biggest single brand store network in Southern Africa and also owns and runs the largest clothing factory in Southern Africa. It was founded in 1965 and has since grown to more than 1 400 stores in 9 African countries (there is a PEP store in almost every town and village in South Africa). Currently the warehouse management system (WMS) implemented by PEP only allows for a stock keeping unit (SKU) to be placed on one picking line in one location when the distribution list (DBN) is released. Because pickers are only allowed to walk clockwise around the conveyor belt, they are forced to pass a location at least the same number of times as the number of branches to which the SKU is to be distributed to. Therefore if the SKUs with the highest pick frequency can be assigned to 2 locations (it is duplicating the SKU), the number of times each of these locations must be passed may be reduced. In this study 4 questions are considered when 15 algorithms are constructed that will determine how an algorithm assign the SKUs to picking lines. Question 1 determines whether the original picking lines are to be treated separately (PS) or to combine them rst (PC). The second question is to decide if the SKUs are rst to be duplicated and then assigned to picking lines (DA) or if they are rst assigned to picking lines and then duplicated (AD). Question 3 determines whether the non-duplicate and duplicate SKUs are treated separately (ND) or simultaneously (S) when they are assigned to the picking lines. The nal question is to specify how the SKUs are assigned to the picking lines. Three assignment methods (cyclical, set length subset sequential assignment, remaining high, low cyclical assignment) and 6 clustering algorithms are introduced. The conclusion is made that the SKUs with the highest pick frequency is duplicated rst to yield the biggest saving in the number of cycles. Between 40{70% of the SKUs should be duplicated, dependant on the algorithm used. The only decision that has a major in uence on the number of cycles is the assignment method used. Algorithm 5 and 8 yielded the greatest saving in the number of cycles (40.7% and 39.8% respectively), both implementing set length subset sequential assignment, followed by the clustering algorithms. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: PEP is 'n afdeling van Pepkor Retail Limited en is die grootste enkel-handelsmerk winkelnetwerk in Suidelike Afrika. PEP besit en bestuur ook die grootste klerefabriek in Suidelike Afrika. PEP is gestig in 1965 en het sedertien gegroei tot meer as 1 400 winkels in 9 Afrika lande (daar is 'n PEP winkel in amper elke dorp in Suid-Afrika). Op die oomblik laat die pakhuisbestuurstelsel, wat deur PEP in sy distribusie sentrum ge mplementeer word, slegs toe dat voorraadeenhede (VEs) in 'n enkele vakkie langs 'n enkele uitsoeklyn geplaas word. Aangesien werkers slegs toegelaat word om kloksgewys om die vervoerband te beweeg, word hulle gedwing om ten minste soveel keer verby elke vakkie in die uitsoeklyn te loop as wat die aantal winkels is waarna die VEs in daardie vakkie versprei moet word. Dus indien die vakkies wat die VEs bevat wat na die meeste winkels versprei moet word, tussen 2 vakkies verdeel word (die VE word gedupliseer), verminder die aantal kere wat beide vakkies besoek moet word. In hierdie studie word 4 vrae beskou wat geantwoord moet word wanneer die 15 algoritmes opgestel word, wat sal bepaal hoe die algoritme die VEs hanteer. Vraag 1 bepaal of die oorspronklike uitsoeklyne wat deur PEP verskaf is apart hanteer word en of hulle eers gekombineer moet word. Die tweede vraag bepaal of die VEs eers gedupliseer word en dan aan die onderskeie uitsoeklyne toegedeel word en of die VEs eers aan die uitsoeklyne toegedeel word en dan gedupliseer word. Vraag 3 is slegs van toepassing wanneer die VEs eers gedupliseer word en dan toegedeel word aan die uitsoeklyne, en bepaal of die nie-gedupliseerde en gedupliseerde VEs apart of gelyktydig hanteer word. Die laaste vraag spesi seer met behulp van watter metode die VEs toegedeel word aan die onderskeie uitsoeklyne. Drie toedelingsmetodes (sikliese toedeling, vaste lengte subversameling opeenvolgende toedeling, oorblywende hoogste/laagste sikliese toedeling) en 6 bondelalgoritmes word voorgestel. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die VEs met die hoogste uitsoek frekwensie eerste gedupliseer moet word om die grootste besparing mee te bring in die aantal siklusse om al die VEs uit te soek. Tussen 40{70% van die VEs moet gedupliseer word afhangende van die algoritme wat gebruik word. Die enigste besluit wat 'n noemenswaardige invloed op die aantal siklusse het is die toedelingsmetode. Algoritme 5 en 8 lewer die grootste besparing in die aantal siklusse (40.7% en 39.8% onderskeidelik), beide implementeer die vaste lengte subversameling opeenvolgende toedeling, gevolg deur die bondelalgoritmes.

This thesis brings together a coherent and inter-linked body of research published between 2000 and 2009 on clothing manufacturing; a sector that could be labelled ‘mature’ in its phase of economic development in Western economies. It investigates why in recent decades, despite notable early resilience the clothing industry within the West Midlands Region in the UK has declined markedly, placing this decline in the context of the picture nationally and internationally. It provides an in-depth analysis of the how the sector is placed to adapt, reverse decline and enhance its competitiveness, conceptualising firm behaviour in respect of attitudes to growth and change. Finally, it prescribes strategies and actions for the sustainability of such mature manufacturing sectors within modern growth-led economies. In doing so it recognises the crucial role played by government institutions at all scales in facilitating this process.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past the textile and clothing industry was a protected industry that was driven by import substitution. The retail market was driven by the manufacturers - customers could only buy what the market offered. Products were priced according to local competition and local input costs. After the liberalisation of South Africa's trade, the whole scenario changed - not only was the industry driven by the consumer, but the industry suddenly had to compete on a global basis and input costs - specially labour, increased substantially. The above, together with other structural changes, posed a tremendous challenge to companies in this industry, and a substantial number could not meet these challenges effectively. This gave rise to a new partner in this industry - the informal clothing manufacturing industry. In order to survive and compete globally, manufacturers had to equal or better international competitors and find their specific markets. The above implied that the following issues had to be addressed: • Backlog on capital spending • Increase in productivity • Increasing quality • Sourcing cheaper raw materials of high quality • Funding • Focusing on niche markets • Implementing best practises according to international standards • Utilising the depreciation of the local currency. Unfortunately, a large number of local companies were not able to adapt due to: • Absence of management skills • Inability to fund the period of change • Lack and deterioration of market • Lack of critical mass in terms of volume. At present, a large number of the companies have successfully adapted and are profitable. The future of the textile and clothing industry does not look bleak at all, and exciting growth and employment opportunities exist, given that the following issues can be addressed: • The cost of labour, especially with regards to the HIV/AIDS issue. • Addressing the standard of management. • Creating and implementing a unified strategy with strategic alliances under strong leadership. • Utilising the new global trade opportunities. It is the contention of the writer that the Western Cape will see a tremendous growth in the Textile and Clothing Industry within the near future. International relocation to South Africa may take place due to favourable export opportunities offered. The demographic qualities of the Western Cape exceed that of other regions in South Africa - particularly regarding HIV/AIDS and education. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die verlede is die klere en tekstiel industrie grootliks gekenmerk deur invoer vervanging. Die verbruikers se keuse in die mark was grootliks bepaal deur die produsente. Pryse was 'n funksie van die plaaslike kompetisie en vervaardigingskoste. Na die liberalisering van die Suid Afrikaanse ekonomie het die situasie drasties verander. Die mark word nou bepaal deur die verbruiker, en die industrie moes in 'n internasionale mark kompeteer. In dieselfde tyd het die koste van arbeid ook dramaties toegeneem - een van die groot inset kostes in die bedryf. Bogenoemde en ander strukturele veranderinge het uitdagings aan die plaaslike industrie daargestel wat nie deur 'n groot aantal plaaslike deelnemers effektief aangespreek kon word nie. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot die groei van die informele sektor in die nywerheid. Ten einde winsgewend te wees in die internasionale arena en te oorleef moes vervaardigers spesifieke markte identifiseer en spesialiseer. Maatskappye is genoop om die volgende aspekte as 'n saak van oorlewing aan te spreek: • Die herinvestering ten opsigte van verouderde vervaardigings toerusting • Verbetering van produktiwiteit en kwaliteit • Verkryging van bekostigbare hoë kwaliteit materiaal • Investering • Spesialis en niche markte • Implimentering van wereldklas vervaardigings standaarde • Strategiese positionering ten opsigte van die verswakking van die rand wisselkoers Ongelukkig was 'n groot aantal plaaslike maatskappye nie in staat om aan te pas nie. Dit kon hoofsaaklik toegeskryf word aan die volgende: • Gebrek aan bestuursvernuf • Onvermoë om die oorgangsfase te befonds • Gebrek aan toepaslike markte • Onvoldoende omset ten einde kritieke volumes te behaal • Strukturele koste samestelling Tans is daar uiters suksesvolle en winsgewende maatskappye in die klere en tekstiel bedryf. Die toekoms van die bedryf in Suid Afrika is nie duister nie. Geleentheid vir groei en indiensneming bestaan, mits die volgende aspekte doeltreffend aangespreek kan word: • Die koste van arbeid, veral met betrekking tot die addisionele koste impliasie van HIV/VIGS • Bestuurskundigheid • Die effektiewe beplanning en uitvoering van 'n unitêre strategie wat alle betrokke partye in die industrie betrek • Die ontsluiting van nuwe wêreld handelsgeleenthede Dit is die skrywer se opinie dat die Weskaap 'n groei in die bedryf sal beleef. Oorsese maatskappye mag vervaardigingsfasiliteite in Suid Afrika hervestig as gevolg van die gunstige uitvoer geleenthede wat Suid Afrika bied. Die demografiese kwaliteit van die Weskaap is beter as die res van Suid Afrika - veral wat betref opvoeding en die voorkoms van HIV/VIGS.

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