• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.34
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• pp.37-56
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• 1997

The Korean Apparel industry has played an significant role for the econom-ic development in Korea which is mainaly due to the apparel exports to the world market. However the Koran apparel industry has confronted drastic changes in domestic and also in international market for the last several years. Korean apparel products have lost price competitiveness in international market because domestic labor costs have increased so fast and al-so newcomers such as China or other Asian countries have emerged as compet-itive producers. Furthermore domestic market has been saturated with the Korean apparel manufacturers and also with the foreign retailers. Therefore the Korean apparel industry should establish market-ing strategies in order to regain competitiveness. This study aims to analyze the factors for non-price competitiveness of Korean apparel industry and propose the way to regain competitiveness form the buyers' point of view. The present study utilize the survey data for the internet database which is established by the Cotton Incorporated. The results show that the Korean apparel industry is not competitive in terms of non-price factors such as minimum orders terms of payment preproduction stage use of new technolo-gy and lead times. These factors are not directly related to the price of product which is suggested to the buyers. However these are flexibility factors which play important roles in decision making process of buyers because they can reduce risks in uncertain business environment. Therefore the Korean apparel industry should establish global marketing strate-gies which can enhance non-price competitiveness as well as price competitiveness.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.512-522
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyze IT infrastructure of Korean apparel industry in order to enhance business effectiveness and customer's satisfaction in information society with global networks. For this study, the questionnaires were distributed to 57 apparel industries in Korea. The data were analyzed by factor analysis, descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, multi regression analysis. The results of this study are as follow: First, Considering the apparel industry, construction of information system is essential for assistance of information policy and utilization of information. Understanding of e-business policy affects profits of suppliers. Second, Apparel industry with higher information policy has higher productivity with flexibility. Third, Apparel industry which has close relationship with suppliers has better customer support. Flexible scheduling and production line are important factors for quick response of customer's order and need.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.100-110
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to identify Internet usage for the implementation of Quick Response Supply Chain Management across Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce in textile and apparel industry. This paper involves theoretical studies, which developed 3 steps to analyze the relationship of B-to-B EC, SCM, and QR, and provides broader awareness of new trend in the textile and apparel industry. SCM as one of B-to-B EC solutions introduced QR into the textile and apparel industry in 1985, and B-to-B EC is regarded as a means for achievement of QR with the widespread adoption of Internet technologies by businesses over the last four years. Finally, the Internet enables textile and apparel firms to access international networks of suppliers, distributors, and customers, so Internet-based B-to-B EC, SCM, and QR with Internet/EDI and XML/EDI are expected to become a central part in propelling fashion business into new directions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2008

In recent years, Korea's apparel exports to the USA have faced a great threat, as the trade environment around the world has changed continually. The purpose of this study is to analyze the competitive position of Korean apparel exports to the USA, and to enhance export competitiveness by applying to offshore sourcing. The trade data of the Office of Textiles and Apparel(OTEXA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce were selected for inquiry about export competitiveness of apparel products made in Korea. In addition, we targeted members of the Korea Apparel Industry Association among the 500 exporters of clothing items in "The Import and Export Textile Product 2003." A total 70 sheets were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Korean apparel exports to USA have decreased by 20-35 percent per year since 2005 under the Free Trade Area, showing that Korean apparel industries have not adapted to the new trade environment. Although Korean apparel exports to USA have indicated a trade surplus from now on, Korean apparel industries should find new ways to overcome this situation, diminishing exports and increasing imports. 2) Korean apparel companies selected more offshore sourcing than domestic sourcing. Also, as Korean apparel companies manufactured apparel products offshore, foreign subcontracting outranked manufacturing in their own foreign plants. When they chose foreign countries to source, they turned mainly to China and Vietnam. Also, they considered the target country's manufacturing price, labor stability, apparel products, quality, lead time, and so on. In order to increase apparel exports, Korean apparel industries should focus more on developing competitively new apparel products, improving the ability of sourcing management, and establishing on-the-spot agencies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.384-404
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• 2019

This study investigates the multidimensional structure of apparel design evaluation criteria and the details of each criterion by exploring how female college students majoring in apparel design in their 20s evaluate apparel design based on an exploratory approach. Data were analyzed through a categorization method of qualitative data after collecting from a literature review and three focus group interviews. The results identified the six evaluation criteria of apparel design (functional usefulness, convenience, aesthetics, psychological self suitability, social activity usefulness, and fashion trend). Functional usefulness and convenience assessed the extent to which primary features of apparel are reflected in apparel design, and aesthetics evaluated the aesthetic beauty of apparel design. Psychological self suitability estimated the extent to which apparel design expressed psychological self properly, and social activity usefulness appraised the extent to which apparel design contributed to the social activities of wearers. Last, fashion trend assessed the extent to which apparel design reflected fashion trend. The study results provide meaningful implications towards an apparel industry that wants to develop apparel design that appeals to consumers, educational institutions that aim to cultivate well-trained professionals in the apparel industry, and consumers who want to purchase clothes of satisfactory design.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.31-46
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to explore the ways of improving Korean apparel firms' competitiveness by examining the Korea's number one trading partner U.S. apparel industry. Especially, the Los Angeles area apparel industry which is the second largest and the primary market center on the west coast was analysed. The following strategies are suggested to Korean apparel firms to function more effectively in incleasingly competitive U.S. markets: l)Basics can be produced in lower wage countries meanwhile quick turnaround and high quality works can be produced either in Korea or U.S. 2)Manufacturers might try to have direct relationship with powerful retailers who have their own private labels of store-brand lines. 3)Apparel companies can open market showrooms in the California Market Center. For small firms they can contact with independent representatives who receive commissions for showing lines for manufacturers or rent space for showing the lines during market weeks. 4)Apparel firms can contact buying offices to introduce their products to retail buyers. 5)Korean firms can contact Korean-American apparel firms to gain easy access to U.S.Market.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.719-727
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• 2009

The ultimate success of commercial applications of body scan data in the apparel industry will be consumers' substantial applications such as automated custom fit, size prediction, virtual try-on, personal shopper services (Loker, S. et al., 2004). In this study, we surveyed fifty consumers and forty-seven apparel industry workers about their recognition and interest in 3D body scanning and virtual try-on. The results are as follows: 55% of the apparel industry workers has recognized 3D body scanning as a convenient technology, but do not know how to use it. To the questions regarding virtual try-on, 53% of the workers give positive answers. The consumers have a more positive view on virtual try-on than the workers do. The workers predict that the application of 3D body scan technology to the apparel industry could offer customers helpful information in their clothing selection by using virtual images of various size and style, and increase mass production of MTM(Made-To-Measure). The answers from the male consumers in their twenties indicate that virtual try-on is useful by 88% on offline shopping and by 100% on online shopping. 53% of the workers and 68% of the consumers gave answers that just by virtual try-on they could judge the quality of the apparel products and purchase them. Absolutely 3D virtual try-on is an effective tool for online shoppers. 85% of the workers anticipate applications of the 3D body scanning also in 'body measurement', 'custom pattern development' as well as 'virtual try-on' in the near future. With the positive reactions and the stimulating interests in virtual try-on, the conditions of contemporary world encourage more active researches and wide usages of the technology in apparel industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.30
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• pp.41-58
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• 1996

To purpose of this study is to understand the present situation of the present situation of the fashion careers in apparel industry and to present a activation information for development of a specialty de-partment. This study has been proceeded with the library survey method, and 20 apparel enterprises have been researched with the questionaire and inter-view method. These were large and medium sized enterprises. The results were as follows: 1. Subdivision of fashion careers have been found insufficient on apparel enterprises in Korea. 2. Textile specialists have been needed on apparel enterprises in Korea. 3. Domestic enterprises have dropt out man-agement 4. These enterprises are negative for the consumer research and fashion information col-lection. 5. Fashion sepecialists have been found insuf-ficient on retail division, The propositions for activation of fashion careers are as follows: 1. Fashion careers should subdivide and specialize. 2. The apparel enterprises should employ textile designer. 3. The apparel enterprises should activate practical department. 4. The apparel enterprises should research consumer and collect fashion information. 5. The apparel enterprises should develop fashion specialists on retail division.

• The International Journal of Costume Culture
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.14-25
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to define mass customization in the apparel industry and to discover, the apparel industry's potential to deliver customized apparel products. Different from product-centered mass Production, mass customization is focusing on customers' unique needs. The goal of mass customization is for customers to find exactly what they want at a reasonable price. Using new technologies such as 3-D body scanning and digital printing, mass customization can give customers customfit and personalized garments. Mass customization can satisfy a customer in terms of personalization, fit and design. Adoption of mass customization will open new opportunities for the apparel manufacturer of the future. Mass customization is a strategy that apparel manufacturers should consider for their goals.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2013

A 3D CAD is one of latest innovations in apparel industry. Despite a rapid progress of related technologies and an emergence of several commercial products in markets, an adoption of 3D CAD tools in apparel industry is much slower than originally expected. In an effort to diffuse such a technological advance in apparel industry, more behavioral studies of why and how apparel designers adopt and use a 3D CAD are needed. Toward that goal, this study aims to identify more about whether such an adoption decision would be more associated with organizations or individuals. Using TAM and TOE framework, the study findings show that the intention to adopt 3D garment CAD is more explained by individual attitudes rather than organizational characteristics.