Quality in international clothing supply chains: A preliminary study

Abstract

Clothing supply chains are subject to increasing global dispersal. Though primarily cost driven, this process impacts on the full range of business functions and activities. However, many dimensions of that impact have as yet received little investigation. The research described in this paper examines the impact of international sourcing strategies on the quality control or assurance function in the clothing industry. The paper establishes a theoretical framework within which observed changes in this area may be analysed. This framework focuses in particular on information costs and flows. The paper reports some preliminary empirical findings derived from a series of semi‐structured interviews conducted with representatives of UK firms deploying international sourcing strategies. A number of supply‐chain case studies are modelled using a diagrammatic methodology which allows the determinants of their configuration, performance and evolution to be explored. The paper concludes by describing the next stage to be undertaken in this research project.