Imported Versus Domestic Blouses: Women's Preferences and Purchase Motives

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine women's preferences for either imported or domestic blouses. A questionnaire was distributed to two groups: 114 students at The University of Alabama and 104 women in Tuscaloosa women's clubs. Information was obtained to: determine proportionate numbers of women's imported and domestic blouses purchased by the consumers, iden tify reasons for the consumers' purchases of either imported or domestic blouses, and examine relationships between socioeconomic factors and con sumer preferences for imported or domestic blouses. Data analysis included frequency distributions and cross tabulation procedures. A chi square was com puted on the appropriate variables to test relationships. Most of the blouses pur chased by students were imported, while most of those purchased by club women were domestic made. The purchase motive indicated most frequently by both groups were: color coordination with existing wardrobe, unusual detail (trim, styling, etc.), and attractive price. No significant relationships were found when the proportions of imported or domestic blouses purchased were cross‐tab ulated with age and income categories. The fact that consumers in this study purchased blouses for the same reasons, regardless of where they were pro duced, indicates a need for the U.S. textile and apparel industry to become more competitive in the global market.

Predicting purchase intentions for uni‐national and bi‐national products

“…On the other hand, a favorable or unfavorable COM reflects consumers' overall perceptions of products made in the country or their stereotypes associated with the country (Nebenzahl et al, 1997). Although some studies found insignificant effects of COM on consumers' perceptions of products (McLean et al, 1986;Sternquist and Davis, 1986), it has been generally agreed that most products originating in foreign countries are subject to COM effects (Brodowsky, 1998;Dickerson, 1982;Han and Terpstra, 1988;Johannson and Nebenzahl, 1986;Shim et al, 1989;Siu and Chan, 1997;Thorelli et al, 1988;Wang and Lamb, 1983). In addition, the COM has been known to affect consumers' evaluations of product-specific attributes as well as overall product quality (Han, 1989;Li and Dant, 1997;Han and Terpstra, 1988;Thakor and Katsanis, 1997).…”

Clothing Evaluative Criteria: A Cross-National Comparison of Taiwanese and United States Consumers

“…Evaluative criteria were de-fined as "the particular dimensions or attributes that are used in judging the choice alternatives" (Engel, et al, 1995, p. 208). Researchers have found the most important evaluative criteria related to clothing to be price, style or design, suitability or appropriateness for a specific situation, fiber content, cut or fit, how pleasing it was to others, coordination with other clothing, comfort, and color or pattern (Davis, 1987;Eckman, et al, 1990;Jenkins, 1973;Martin 1971-72;McLean, et al, 1986;Workman, 1990). However, the terms used and the way in which criteria have been classified have varied among the studies.…”

Effect of Fiber‐Content Information on Perception of Fabric Characteristics

“…Because individuals appear to hold specific attitudes, both positive and negative, toward imported and domestically produced clothing, it could be predicted that labels disclosing country-of-origin information should influence an individual's evaluation of a garment. However, research by Sternquist and Davis (1986) and McLean, Roper, and Smothers (1986), indicated that country-of-origin information did not influence the ratings of either the quality or the price of an apparel item. These findings need to be interpreted with caution, as Sternquist and Davis (1986) actually controlled for the quality of the apparel item by having all subjects look at the same apparel item, but labeling it with different country-of-origin information.…”

“…Although both brand name and size may be associated with perceptions of quality, research by McLean, Roper, and Smothers (1986) indicated that brand name may not serve as a purchase motivation. These researchers asked subjects to rank order nine motives for purchasing a blouse.…”