International business is much more complicated than domestic business because countries differ in many ways. Countries have different political systems economic systems. Cultural practices can vary dramatically from country to country, as the education and skill level of the population, and countries are at different stages of economic development. Moreover, development of multinational strategies involves consideration of threats, opportunities, key success factors, and strategy options and issues that do not appear when the analysis is restricted to operations within a single country. In particular, the evaluation of a market must take into account the political and economic risks associated with individual countries. Thus the external analysis becomes much more demanding. South Africa's trade and industrial policy has moved away from a highly protected, inward-looking economy towards an internationally competitive system that is able to capitalize on its comparative advantages. Enhancement of the competitiveness of industries on the domestic and international markets has consequently become a prime focus of the country's industrial policy. International trade in textiles and clothing is conducted on an immense scale. Textile and clothing producers were responsible for 9.3 per cent of world exports of manufacturers in 2001. Barriers to entry for new firms and exporters are low, and consequently the degree of international competition is intense. Competitive advantage is very difficult to sustain for long periods of time. Newcomers speedily challenge successful exporters of basic products, and they must redirect their activities towards the production of higher value-added textiles and clothing in order to survive and prosper. As a world's fifth largest trading power, China economy expands promptly through their expert skills on technology, management, and labour-intensive products. Today, China represents between 5 to 10% of global output, their export market will continue to grow rapidly, and not only for their labour intensive products, but also for the higher technology goods and services that are an increasing proportion of China's output as it climbs up the production ladder. Textile industry represents a main role towards China's economy. However, due to the fast-moving pace of globalisation, it has increased the maturity on the product-life cycle of the industry. Multi-national organizations from China have a choice to extend their global reach, due to the government export incentive programme, the maturity companies can diversify their firms to emerging market in order to exploit their technological advantages and invest internationally . If firm's primary goal is to maximize their shareholder's value, then they and probably the economy are better off if they invest where they can earn the best return. As they do so, change in the global macro-environment further confounds the choices inherent in building a strategic organization. Some understanding of the organization's external and internal environment always drives strategy, as an international organizational better choice. In the most general sense, the long-run monetary benefits of doing business in South Africa are a function of the size of the textile and clothing market, the present wealth (purchasing power) of consumers in the market, and the likely future wealth of consumers. Also the Chinese's multi national companies can have the opportunity to gain export market in USA, Canada, Europe and other trade countries in South Africa. In order to achieve economic growth and competitiveness in South Africa, it is recommend that the several issues cutting across the textile industrial sector need to be addressed through knowledge transfer, training, investment and management. Develop innovative technologies to strengthen the competitiveness. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

by Lee H.P., Anthony. / Bibliography: leaf 34 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1983

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.

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

by Lai Yuen Mei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [175-179]). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Primary Concern of the study and Research Problems / Chapter 1.2. --- Data and Methodology / Chapter 1.3. --- Organization of chapters / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Literature Review on Industrialization and Global Commodity Chain Perspective --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Existing theoretical perspectives on industrializations and their limitations / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Free Market Explanation / Chapter 2.1.2. --- World-system economy perspective / Chapter 2.1.3. --- Statist perspective / Chapter 2.1.4. --- Historical institutional perspective / Chapter 2.2. --- The Global Commodity Chain Perspective / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Global Commodity Chain perspective / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Studies about the buyer-driven GCCs / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Strengths and limitations of the GCCs / Chapter 2.3. --- Bringing back organization to our analysis / Chapter Chapter Three: --- The historical development of Hong Kong's garment industry after the post-war period --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1. --- The industrial take-off after the post-war era / Chapter 3.2. --- Dominance of local capital and small establishments / Chapter 3.3. --- The Continuation of low-wage manufacturing in the eighties / Chapter 3.4. --- Concluding Remarks / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Product Strategy and Mode of Insertion of local manufacturers in the buyer-driven commodity chain --- p.39 / Chapter 4.1. --- General Profile of the thirteen garment factories / Chapter 4.2. --- Product Strategy of local manufacturers in doing OEM and OBM / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Shift the product line from low-end to medium or high-end / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Specialization on specific markets target / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Diversification of product lines with different price ranges / Chapter 4.3. --- Experiences of doing OBM / Chapter 4.4. --- How foreign buyers are attracted to the domestic node / Chapter 4.4.1. --- Make a perfect match in the market / Chapter 4.4.2. --- How to maintain relationship with buyers / Chapter 4.5. --- Concluding Remarks / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Interfirm Linkages in the Buyer-Driven Commodity Chain --- p.65 / Chapter 5.1. --- Local trading network as the mediator in the GCCs / Chapter 5.1.1. --- Coordinating function in order match and production stage / Chapter 5.1.2. --- Financial function of the trading houses to the factories / Chapter 5.1.3. --- Managing conflicts and contingencies between two parties / Chapter 5.2 --- Build up direct linkage with the buyers in the GCCs / Chapter 5.3. --- "Emergence of “close´ح and ""loose"" ties between local manufacturers and overseas buyers in the GCCs" / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Close-tie pattern / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Loose-tie pattern / Chapter 5.4. --- Discussion and implications on the buyer-driven governance structure / Chapter 5.5. --- Concluding Remarks / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Relocation Strategy of local manufacturers in different ties with buyers --- p.95 / Chapter 6.1. --- Relocation decisions in different pattern of ties / Chapter 6.1.1. --- Close-tie pattern with relocation / Chapter 6.1.2. --- Loose-tie pattern with relocation / Chapter 6.2. --- Intra-organizational comparison on relocation - triggering of relocation / Chapter 6.2.1. --- Pioneers in relocation - search for organizational growth / Chapter 6.2.2. --- "Late-comers in relocation - emergence of ""mimetic isomorphism""" / Chapter 6.3. --- Factories without relocation / Chapter 6.3.1. --- Support of subcontracting network in South China / Chapter 6.3.2. --- Buyers' participation in the South China's subcontracting network / Chapter 6.3.3. --- The experience of a second-tier producer in the GCCs / Chapter 6.4. --- Concluding Remarks / Chapter Chapter Seven: --- Social Outcomes after relocation in the commodity chain --- p.139 / Chapter 7.1. --- Three types of outcomes emerge within organizations - expansion or contraction? / Chapter 7.1.1. --- Relocation with horizontal expansion / Chapter 7.1.2. --- Relocation with vertical expansion / Chapter 7.1.3. --- Relocation but failed / Chapter 7.2. --- Implications on product upgrading after relocation / Chapter 7.3. --- Changes in organization of production in the Buyer-driven GCCs after restructuring process / Chapter 7.4. --- Concluding Remarks / Chapter Chapter Eight: --- Conclusion --- p.164 / Chapter 8.1. --- Rethinking the thesis of buyer-driven role in the commodity chain / Chapter 8.2. --- Forces that shape the restructuring strategy of domestic garment manufacturers / Chapter 8.3. --- Towards an organizational level analysis of industrial restructuring in Hong Kong / Chapter 8.4. --- Limitations of the study in this thesis / Chapter 8.5. --- Proposed direction for future research / Appendix / Chapter 1. --- Bibliography / Chapter 2. --- The semi-structured questions for the interview / Chapter 3. --- The title of the contact persons among the thirteen garment firms