A competitive framework for the South African clothing industry

Abstract

The SA clothing industry has shed over 67 000 jobs in the past three years [1]. There is a possibility that more jobs may be shed in the South African clothing industry over the next few years [1]. The SA clothing industry is facing a great challenge because of the rapidly changing business environment with respect to global competition, market performance, and advancing technology. The study is part of doctoral thesis and has focused on the development of a framework that would assist to reaffirm and re-establish strategies that may improve the current plight of manufacturers and help prevent job losses through innovative thinking (www.dti.org.za). The methodology adopted in the research includes a review of existing literature and documents on the industry from Clofed, Texfed, relevant research reports from the DTI, NEPAD, newspaper articles, journal articles such as the International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology and Operations Management, interviews and discussions with organizational staff and management [2].

Comparative assessment of process improvement methodologies: a case study in the South African clothing industry.

“…Some improvements have been shown to be possible in 2 case studies in the South African clothing industry by using elements of a developed framework judiciously [12] [13].…”

“…It is thus suggested that with the application of elements of the framework of process improvement introduced previously [12][13] by the authors, the clothing industry could improve labour efficiency substantially in the South African clothing industry context. Management needs to take the initiative of getting in the required skills to implement these changes, which could almost double their current profitability [13].…”

“…In a previous paper the history of the South African clothing industry was briefly described [12]. It was specifically mentioned that many of the clothing manufacturers in South Africa were situated in the Kwa-Zulu Natal area and that an effective programme of improvement practises was necessary in the industry.…”

“…A comparison of methodologies would thus seem appropriate. This paper then proceeds to focus on two case studies in the South African context where the work study method proved valuable as part of the competitive framework developed by Ramdass [12] [13].…”