EXPLORATION OF PRODUCTION METHODS BEING USED BY CLOTHING MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN ZIMBABWE TOWARDS A COMPETITIVE STRATEGY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ijfd.1625Keywords:
Clothing, Production methods, Competitiveness, MarketAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyse production methods used by clothing manufacturers in order to improve competitiveness of clothing products on the market.
Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative research approach and utilised a descriptive case study design. The population of the study comprised of clothing manufacturing companies in which company managers, supervisors and designers were the study participants. Data was gathered using telephonic interviews. Thematic analysis was used to get meaning out of the collected data.
Findings: The findings were presented in narrative form. The findings reflected that clothing manufacturing industries used batch production hence they did not meet the demands of the market. They also used progressive bundle system. It was suggested that the manufacturing companies should use work study as strategy to enhance productivity levels, meeting lead times, reducing costs as well as producing competitive clothing products among other recommendations.
Unique contributions to theory and practice: The Fit manufacturing framework by Pham and Thomas (2012) was used to explore the production methods being used by clothing manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe. Themes that emerged from the data analysis helped the researcher gain a better understanding of the production processes used. The clothing manufacturing industry is lagging behind with regards to advanced machinery, skilled manpower and good quality fabrics. If these areas are improved it may help improve productivity and competitiveness of products, enhance growth of clothing industry and boost the economy at large.
Downloads
References
Akansel, M., Yagmahan, B., & Emel, E. (2017). Determination of standard times for process Improvement: A case study. Global journal of Business, Economics and Management. 7 (1). 62-68.
Aliyan, (2011). Zimbabwe-Textile and Clothing Industry. Retrieved 22 May 2019 from
www.yarnsandfibres.com
Anderson, D.J., & Carmichael, A. (2016). Essential Kan ban Condensed. Blue Hole Press.
Arora, M. (2021). Progressive Bundle System. SCRIBD. Retrieved on 17 June 2021From scribd.com
Azmeh, S., & Nadvi, K. (2014). Asian firms and the restructuring of global value chains. International Business Review 23(2014)708717
Banton, C. (2019). Retrieved 17 July 2019 from https://www.investopedia.com
Barbera, S. (2016). What is apparel lean manufacturing? How new technology can streamline your garment business. Retrieved 14 November 2019 from https://www.cgsinc.com/blog/lean-manufacturing-garment-industry-apparel-business.
Cao, H. & Ji, X. (2021). Prediction of garment production cycle time based on a neutral network. Retrieved 6 August 2022. DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0014.5036
Chingono, N. (2016). Zimbabwe clothing industry smarts from imports. The Financial Gazette November 10
Chiromo, F., Nel, A. & Sebele, T. O. (2015). Lean manufacturing challenges in a South
African clothing company. International Association for management of Technology (IAMOT) 2015 Proceedings. P265. 1966-1974.
Chisosa, D.F., & Chipambwa, W. (2018). An exploration of how work study techniques can optimize production in Zimbabwe's Clothing industry. Chinhoyi University of Technology. Zimbabwe. 10(3), 1-10.
Chuma, C., Chipambwa, W., & Komichi, R. (2018). Staying competitive in the fast fashion Era in a developing economy. International journal of Costume and fashion.18 (2). 1-12
Daal, C. (2018). Can the US compete with lean manufacturing brands like Zara? Retrieved On 14 November 2019 fromhttps:/makescrow.com/blog/2018/01/can-the-us-compete-with-lean-manufacturing-brands-like -Zara/
Dai, T. & Tayur, S. (2017). The evolution trends of POM research in manufacturing. U.K. In Routledge companion to Production and Operations Management. M. Starr and Gupta (Eds). 647-662.
Delago, L.C., Machado, M.E., & de Brito, F.O. (2016). Learning lean philosophy through 3D game- based simulation. Winter Simulation Conference (WSC), VA, USA, 11-14 December 2016, 338 5-3392.IEEE.
Dewitt, K. (2016). Benefits of hiring young employees. Patriot. Retrieved on 24 July 2021 from patriotsoftware.com
Dimitrescu, A., Babis, C., Niculae, E., Chivu, O., &Dascalu, L. (2019). Efficiency of a production line by application of Kanban method. Journal of Research and Innovation for sustainable society. 1(1).29-34.
Dimple, K. (2019). Garment Production System. Institute of apparel production management. Retrieved on 15 June 2021 from academia, Edu
Esmaeel, R. I., Zakuan, N., Jamal, N.M., & Taherdoost, H. (2017). Understanding of business performance from the perspective of manufacturing strategies: Fit manufacturing and overall equipment effectiveness. Romania. 11th International Conference Interdisplinarity in Engineering, INTER-ENG 2017, 5-6 October 2017, Procedia Manufacturing 22(2018)998-1006.
Fakhar, (2017). Why lean manufacturing is essential for apparel industry. Wisdom Treasure. Retrieved 14 November 2019 from textilepeople.com/lean-manufacturing-for-apparel-industry
Gemma, (2019). Advantages and Disadvantages of Batch Production in Manufacturing. LAC Conveyers and Automation. Retrieved on 7 May 2021 from lacconveyers.co.uk/batch-production/#
Golchev, R., Jovanoski, B., Gechevska, V. & Minovski, R. (2015). Kanban simulation model for production process optimization. Journal of Engineering Management and Competitiveness. 5(2). 55-60
Goriwondo, W. M., Mhlanga, S., & Mutsambwa, T. (2013). Agility for sustainability in Zimbabwe: A Case Study for Manufacturing Companies in Bulawayo. China- USA Business Review, January 2013, 12(1), 38-51.
Gujar, S. A. & Moroliya, M. R. (2018). Increasing the productivity by using work study in a manufacturing industry- Lit review. International journal of Mechanical and Production Engineering Research and Development. 8 (2). 369-374
Iannuzzi, M. (2019). What is Kan ban Manufacturing? Michigan Manufacturing Intl. Retrieved on 14 August 2020 from michmfg.com
IIyas, W., Farooqi, Y.A., & Ahmad, M. (2016). Effects of human resource management practices on employee performances. A study of telecom sector. Journal of resources development and management. 20,(4), 61-71.
International Labour Organization. (2017). Lean manufacturing techniques for Ready-made garments industry. Switzerland. International Labour Office.
Jadhav, J. R., Mautha, S. S., & Rane, S.B. (2015). Analysis of interactions among the barriers to JIT production: Interpretive structural modeling approach. Journal of Industrial Engineering International. 11 (3). 331-352
Knowledgebase Team, (2017). Batch Production System: Characteristics Advantages/Disadvantages. Retrieved on 12 June 2021 from knowledgiate.com
Kumar, S.B. (2016). Value stream mapping- A lean manufacturing approach to reduce the process wastages in clothing industry. International Journal of Advances in Management and Economics. 5(5).23-33
Magana, M. M., Olyguin-Tiznado, J. E., Garcia-Alcaraz, J.L., Camago-Wilson, C., Lopez-Barreras, J. A. & Perez-Lopez, R. (2018). Impact of the planning from the Kan ban system on the company's operating benefits. Califonia. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2506, pp 1-24
Mangudhla, T. (2014). Textile Industry at 10% capacity. The Zimbabwe Independent. Zimbabwe, June 27
Maware, C., & Adetunji, O. (2019).Lean manufacturing implementation in Zimbabwean industries: Impact on operational performance. International journal of Engineering Business Management. 11(2), 1-12
Maxwell, L. L. (2020). Lean manufacturing concepts and how to use them. Retrieved on 12 December 2020 from planview.com
Mhlanga, F. (2020). Second hand clothes, cheap imports choke Zim retailers. The Independent, October 23 2020.
Minakshi, J. (2017). Work study: Meaning, Concept and Techniques Industry. Retrieved 17 July 2019 from www.yourarticlelibrary.com
Mohan, M.P. (2015). Clothing and textiles Industries in Zimbabwe: An Analysis of consumption and production trends of several key industries (2004-2014). Taffglobal. Retrieved on 22 May 2019 from https://www.taffglobal.com
Moktadir, M.A., Ahmed, S., Zohra, F.T. & Sultana, R. (2017). Productivity improvement
Work study technique: A case on leather products industry Bangladesh. Industrial Engineering and Management 2017. 6(1), 1-11.
Morris, M. & Staritz, C. (2017). Industrial upgrading and development in Lesotho's apparel industry: Global value chains, foreign direct investment and market diversification. Oxford Development Studies, 45:3,303-320,DOI:10.80/13600818.2016.1237624
Mpofu, T. (2013). Challenges faced by the clothing sector in Zimbabwe. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) 13 (5), 83-84.
Nimlaor, C., Trimestoontorn, J. & Fongsuwan, W. (2015).AEC Garment Industry Competitiveness: A Structural Equation Model of Thailand's Role. Research Journal of Business Management 9(1), 25-46
Nyoni, M. (2017). Influx of second hand clothes chokes textile industry. Newsday July 12
Ocampo, L.A. & Clark, E. E. (2015). A sustainable manufacturing strategy framework: the convergence of two fields. Asian Academy of management Journal, volume 20 (2), 29-57.
Rai, A. K. & Medha, S. (2013). The antecedents of customer loyalty: An empirical investigation in Life insurance context. Journal of competitiveness, 5 (2) 1-10.
Ramachandran, S. (2019). Kanban Inventory: System & Process. Retrieved 17 July 2019 from https://study.com
Sedex, (2021). Apparel Manufacturing. Sedex Manufacturing Insights Report, 2021
Shah, M. K., Deshpande, V.A. & Ramchandra, M. P. (2015). A review on lean tools And techniques: Continuous improvement in the industry. International Journal of Advance Industrial Engineering. 3(4), 200-207
Shalini, R., Geetharani, R., & Ramakrishnan, G. (2019). Lean manufacturing in garment Industry. Retrieved on 13 November 2019 from www.fibre2fashion.com
Shivam, M. (2019). Motion Study: Meaning, Objectives and Procedure. Retrieved on 28 November 2019 fromeconomicsdiscussion.net/engineering-economics/Motion-study-meaning-objectives-and-procedure/21683
Singh, M.P. & Yadav, H., (2016). Improvement in process industries by using work Study methods: a case study. IJMET, 7, 426-436
Sobuj, M. S. (2018). Progressive Bundle System. Bangladesh University of Textiles. Retrieved on 17 June 2021 from textilestudycentre.com
Staritz, C., Gereffi, G. & Cattaneo, O. (2011). Shifting end markets and upgrading prospects in Global value chain. International journal of technological learning, innovation and development, Volume 4, Nos 1/2/3/. 2011
Tahiduzzaman, M., Rahman, M., Dey, S. K. & Kapuria, T. K. (2018). Minimization of sewing defects of an Apparel Industry in Bangladesh with 5S and PDCA. American Journal of Industrial Engineering. 5(1), 17-24
Tanenbaum, M. (2019). Production System. Encyclopedia Britanica. Retrieved on 14 July 2021
Triana, N. E., & Beatrix, M.E. (2019). Production system improvement through Kanban application in labor intensive company. SINERGI. Volume 23, No. 1, 2019, 33-40
University of Cambridge. (2016). Institute of Manufacturing. Retrieved 18 July 2019 from https://www.cam.ac.uk
UNWOMEN (2017), Zimbabwe's Annual Manufacturing Survey features a gender analysis component. Retrieved on 17 March 2021 from Africa.unwomen.org
Vitez, O. (2017). Skilled Labour Vs Unskilled labour. Career Trend. Retrieved on 25 June 2021 from careertrend.com
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Cathrine Mauwa, Dr. Dandira Tarirai, Dr. Chimbindi Felisia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
