Textile and Apparel Industries

Do Unique Firm Resources Create Unique Products? A Quantitative Analysis of Firm Resources of Small Businesses Participating in Trade Shows

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Abstract

Trade shows play a pivotal role in the global fashion industry, serving as platforms for diverse exchanges among key fashion stakeholders. The study investigates the relationship between the product categories and unique firm resources among small boutiques participating in the Coterie trade show in New York (February 2023). Utilizing the resource-based view (RBV) theory, data from 200 randomly selected companies were subjected to quantitative content analysis. Results from Spearman's rank-order correlation test indicate that product categories significantly influence firm resources, with bags and accessories exhibiting a significant positive correlation with human, physical, and organizational knowledge resources.  Thus, the research addresses a critical gap, by addressing the product and product-specific resource allocation dynamics of small fashion boutiques attending the trade shows and shaping the global fashion trends. The findings contribute to the understanding of small-scale fashion retailers' competitive advantages, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs, consumers, and industry stakeholders.

Keywords: Trade Show, Boutiques, Small Fashion Businesses, Firm Resources

How to Cite:

Islam, F. & Das, D., (2024) “Do Unique Firm Resources Create Unique Products? A Quantitative Analysis of Firm Resources of Small Businesses Participating in Trade Shows”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17475