Quality control is essential as a means of survival in a market composed of intense competition, more knowledgeable consumers, increasingly complex technological growth and development, a scarcity of skilled labor, and increasing government regulation. Although sophisticated quality assurance systems have been developed and implemented in most segments of industry, these developments have been slow in coming to the garment industry, especially in the fashion sector where styles are numerous and changes occur rapidly. The purpose of this study was to investigate current problems of quality control experienced by manufacturers of women's fashion apparel, and to determine what quality control procedures have been developed which may reduce or eliminate these problems. / Fifty-four manufacturers of fashion apparel in Dade County, Florida, were interviewed. The price range of the items produced included all categories from "budget" to "high," and the sizes of the operations ranged from 300 units to 30,000 units produced in a week. The length of time the companies have been in business ranged from one year to 49 years. The type of production process varied considerably, from 100 percent production in the main factory to 100 percent contracted to private operations. The manufacturers also market their goods to a variety of types of retail outlets. / Specific quality control problems were investigated for each of the major steps in the production process. In addition, the amounts of returns of the incoming and outgoing goods were determined. / Specific quality control procedures (centering around inspection processes) were also investigated for all steps in the production process. The number of employees whose full-time responsibility is for quality assurance was also determined, as well as whether or not written specifications are utilized as a quality control tool. / The most severe quality problem identified by this study is with incoming materials, confirming reports that quality in the textile industry is declining. Neither type or size of operation influences the problems that the manufacturers are facing. / Though not as severe as with fabric quality, problems in the sewing operation are of great concern. Those manufacturers who contract the majority of their production have the most severe problems, while those who control the production have fewer problems. The areas of production where the problems are of less concern are in pattern making and cutting. / It was found that quality control problems can be influenced by the price range of the garments, the age of the business and the location of the majority of the production, but are not influenced by either type of outlet where the goods are marketed or by type of operation (larger corporation or independent). / In addition, it was found that quality control procedures used in the production process are affected by the price range of the garments. As the price increases, the quality problems decrease. Inspection procedures used are also influenced by where the majority of the production is done and the relative age of the business. The research determined that manufacturers who market their goods to either mail order houses or moderately-priced chain stores are more likely to have full-time quality control employees and use written specifications with the retailer. / Very few manufacturers in this study plan to make major changes in their method of operation to insure more quality and/or productivity. Only a small percentage of these manufacturers have sought assistance in solving quality control problems. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-10, Section: B, page: 3751. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74327 |
| Contributors | ANTRIM, LOUANNE SELF., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 126 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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