Research

Research Activities

The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Management has an active research program that embraces both business and technological issues relating to the apparel and textile production and distribution sectors. Activities include both applied and basic research.

The research interests of faculty embrace the study of market structures, the dynamics of competition and consumer behavior; the design and management of product development processes; operations and supply chain management; company strategy and organization; industry analysis at the local, national and international levels; international trade dynamics; and the management of technological change.

Applied Research

Through the Apparel & Technology Research Center (ATRC) the department carries out applied research on behalf of sponsors.

The goal of our applied research program is to find answers to specific practical issues facing businesses, trade associations or government agencies.

Applied research activities embrace both ad hoc research contracts and sponsored research programs.

A diagram representing the research program activities and breakdown of how they address thier constituencies.

Typical issues addressed include:

Domestic and international market analysis, including demand measurement and forecasting, customer needs assessment, market segmentation and competitive processes.
Assessment of competitive dynamics and company strategies.
Assessment of company competitiveness.
Strategic perspectives on industry change.

Basic research

The primary objective of our basic research program is to advance the theoretical understanding of the fundamental economic, technological and management dynamics that influence the manufacturing and distribution of apparel and textile products.

Select for a larger version
A diagram representing the research program dynamics and process flow

Recent studies published or presented in peer-reviewed venues include:

“Patterns of strategic adjustment in the US textile and apparel industries since 1979.”
“Longitudinal Patterns of Comparative Advantage in the Textile Complex.”
“Market Segmentation and Growth Opportunities for Medical Textiles & Healthcare Products”
“An Assessment of Trends in China’s Comparative Advantages in Textile Machinery, Man-Made Fibers, Textiles and Apparel”
Relationships Between Business Environment Characteristics, Competitive Priorities, Supply Chain Structure, and Business Performance in the US Industrial Textile Industry.”
“Measurement of Business Environment Characteristics in Operations Management: An Empirical Study”