Textile and Apparel Industries

An Exploration of Regional Apparel Production Industry Network Development

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Abstract

The movement of apparel and soft goods manufacturing to overseas resulting in US apparel production industries having limited systems of knowledge transfer and sharing resources in reshoring of production. Network provide a natural organizing concept to examine this problem. This qualitative study involved interviews, observation, and examination of organizational documents for apparel manufacturing investors/owners, production managers and workers, produce development entrepreneurs, key national manufacturing executives, equipment and raw material suppliers, education/training providers, manufacture publishing, community development and leaders in state government, and non profit agencies. Common interest in advancement of reshoring production has generated rural/urban alliances and enhanced well-being.

Keywords: Keywords: bridging ties, bonding ties, small businesses, knowledge integration

How to Cite:

Engel-Enright, C. & Miller, N. J., (2019) “An Exploration of Regional Apparel Production Industry Network Development”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 76(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.8273