Garment Sector Research Articles

Impact of Covid-19 in Real Income of the Small Business Owners: with Special Reference to Tinsukia District of Assam

This paper aims to study the impact of Covid-19 in real income of the small business owners particularly the garment sector. The study reveals that the impact of Covid-19 in Real Income of the small business is still negative. The average real income falls from Rs 1,56,622 to Rs 1,27,471

COMPARATIVE EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT OF THE SELECTED GARMENTS FACTORIES IN BANGLADESH: AN APPLICATION OF DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (DEA)

Readymade garments sector is the largest export earning sectors in Bangladesh. The efficiency of that sector is needed to compete and survive in the competitive global market. For the purpose of identifying the inputs and output variables which are deriving the efficiency of garments factories in Bangladesh, five garment factories have been selected purposively on the basis of availability of data as a sample size. Pearson coefficient correlation has been used to find out significant input variables related with output variable of sales revenue indicating the result that only cost of material and labour has significant impact among four input variables. From the method of CRS input oriented DEA, it is estimated that two garments factory are efficient relative to the(Fawellient factory of the rest three. If it is possible to reduce the excessive used of inputs (percentages) cost of material and labour then rest three inefficient factories would be capable as like as efficient two.

Beyond the Dormitory Labour Regime: Comparing Chinese and Indian Workplace–Residence Systems as Strategies of Migrant Labour Control

This article explores two examples of worker housing in India, and compares these with China’s ‘dormitory labour regime’, arguing that these methods of labour accommodation are part of a broader, increasingly global, workplace-residence regime aimed at migrant labour control for the purposes of value extraction. Contrary to previous studies, it argues that China’s system is not unique, but part of the political economy of contemporary global capitalism. Although there exist historical and contextual variations between the two Indian case studies, drawn from the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) garment sector and the Andhra Pradesh electronics industry, as well as between the Indian and Chinese contexts, the aims and many of the outcomes are similar. Moving beyond a focus on the country- and space-specific ‘dormitory labour regime’ facilitates a broader understanding of the crucial role contemporary workplace-residence systems play in enhancing control of migrant labour for the benefit of global accumulation networks.

Penerapan AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) Pada Proses Trimming Baju Tidur Untuk Perbaikan Mutu Di CV. Aliya

CV Aliya is an industrial business engaged in the garment sector in producing nightgowns. In producing nightgowns, CV Aliya has several factors that support production activities. The several supporting factors for these activities are raw materials, production processes and completion of the final production. From the results of the first observations and short interviews with business owner CV Aliya, CV Aliya produced orders for 6,000 nightgowns. The target to be achieved is 1,000 pieces/day. With the number of sewing operators as many as 31 people in the operator section. CV Aliya received complaints from buyers regarding the poor quality of the nightgowns produced by CV Aliya. There are types of complaints that occur, namely the presence of excess long threads on the inside of the clothes, both the result of leftover stitching threads that have not been trimmed, or from the material itself, resulting in uncomfortable nightgowns when worn by consumers. This study aims to apply AQL (Acceptabel Quality Level) at CV Aliya for quality improvement. The results of this study are from the results of applying the AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) in this study we get 12 rejects and not more than 14 which has been set in the AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) table, so these rejects or lots are accepted so that in applying the AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) method Quality Level) at CV Aliya is feasible to apply and compared to CV Aliya before applying the AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) and before applying the AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) method. Before applying the AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) method, CV Aliya received 30 pcs of rejects, while after using the AQL method, CV Aliya received a smaller reject, which was 12 and did not exceed the value provisions standardized by AQL

Investigating the impact of growth mindset on empowerment, life satisfaction and turn over intention: Comparison between Indonesia and Vietnam

This study investigates the influence of growth mind-set toward empowerment, life satisfaction and turn over intention in textile industry. Since Vietnam's performance in the garment sector has surpassed Indonesia's in recent years, this study aims to examine the difference working condition between Indonesia and Vietnam. This research based on the mix of quantitative and qualitative approach by interviewing 2897 garment workers from Indonesia and 2840 from Vietnam. The quantitative data were processed using LISREL 8.51 software with structural equation modelling. The results of this study reveal the fact that turnover intention could be minimised by reducing work-family conflict, increasing life satisfaction, and provide empowerment to their workers. On top of that, companies should pay serious attention to the important of growth mind-set, which apparently could lead to effective empowerment.

Quality improvement through export item rejection reduction using the implementation of statistical quality control (SQC) tools: a case study

Garment sector is one of the industrial sectors in Ethiopia. In this sector the final products are always with defect(s) which reduces attraction from customers and economic benefit from the business. With this intention, quality enhancement of shirt products through defect(s) rejection reduction using SQC tools was a vital task of this research. The study applied Pareto Analysis and Cause-and-effect diagrams for detailed examination of top defects. From the Pareto-analysis six top defect types; cuff assembly seam slip out, sleeve hemming, button slip out, side seam puckering, button missed, and placket seam out have been identified. These defects contributed 81.68% of all defects happening in the case company. Then root-cause analyses for these top defect types have been done and solutions have been suggested to overcome causes to reduce rejected shirts. Finally, the suggested solutions have been practically implemented through the organized implementation team from different departments of the case company including the researcher. This has given remarkable results of almost 67.3%, 2222 shirts, of export rejected shirts have been saved. These saved shirts have been exported additionally to the international market in line with the defect free products of that month and increased the income of the case company by 444,400 ETB to 555,500 ETB per month.

Impact of Wages and Social Compliance on Employee Job Satisfaction in the Readymade Garments Industry of Bangladesh: The Mediating Role of Employee Motivation

Despite rapid expansion, the ready-made garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh is struggling to keep its workers satisfied. The purpose of this research is to examine the intermediary function of employee motivation in the relationship between wages and social compliance and job satisfaction in Bangladesh’s RMG sector. This study’s overarching goal is to examine the mediating function of employee motivation in the connection between wages, social compliance, employee motivation, and employee job satisfaction in the RMG sector of Bangladesh. This study uses a quantitative methodology, collecting data from 475 workers in the Bangladeshi garments sector, and analyzes it with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and SmartPLS 4.0 was used for statistical analysis. The results show that wages and social compliance have a beneficial influence on worker drive and contentment. In addition, in the RMG sector of Bangladesh, the connection between pay, societal conformity, and job satisfaction is mediated by employees’ levels of motivation. The study suggests that RMG factories should focus on providing fair wages and ensuring social compliance to improve employee motivation and job satisfaction. Additionally, it is recommended that management should encourage employee motivation through training and development programs, recognition, and rewards to enhance job satisfaction.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Garment Design: Opportunities and Challenges in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector of Bangladesh

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Garment Design: Opportunities and Challenges in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector of Bangladesh

Impact of Pandemic on Female Labor Force Participation: A Study of Female Working in Garment Sector of Lahore, Pakistan

The study's goal was to find out how COVID-19 affects female who work in the garment industry in Lahore, which is in the Pakistani province of Punjab. The research looked at how badly the female labor force had to deal with the economic crisis during COVID-19. It also looked at the effects of state-run social protection mechanisms that the female labor force could use or not use. The universe for the study was female working in the garment industry of Lahore. A simple random sampling method was used to select the sample (n=250) from different factories in Lahore, Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was developed using deductive logic to collect data from respondents. Data was collected during the month of August, 2022 retrospectively. According to the findings, there is a significant impact of COVID-19 on female labor participation and economic crisis (unemployment) on women laborers working in garment industry. It was also found that majority of the women are not aware of the state operated social protected system. Those who were aware, showed dissatisfaction with the financial aid provided by state. However, they were satisfied with the provision of medical services during pandemic. It is suggested that state should develop sustainable policies regarding source of earning during pandemic and other natural disasters.

Costs of LDC graduation on market access: evidence from emerging Bangladesh

We empirically estimate the costs of LDC graduation on market access for Bangladesh using a computable general equilibrium modelling framework. If developed countries impose standard generalized system of preferences (GSP) tariffs while importing from Bangladesh and at the same time Bangladesh eliminates its export subsidies, our modelling suggests that real gross domestic product (GDP) may drop by about 0.38 per cent and exports could fall by about six percent for Bangladesh. The ready-made garment sector could be affected severely, with results suggesting exports could decline by about 14 per cent. Our analysis indicates that the income of urban households could decrease by three per cent, and household consumption may shrink by about four per cent. To minimize these potentially adverse impacts, Bangladesh should aim to ensure market access continues through signing preferential trade agreements. In addition, streamlined subsidy policies, enhanced domestic productivity, export diversification, and increased foreign investment, are likely to be important areas of focus for a smooth LDC graduation.

The Financial Lives of the Workers: An Analysis Amid Corona Pandemic in Bangladesh

This paper has tried to explore the nature of the living patterns of the workers amid the CORONA pandemic in Bangladesh. The article is shaped entirely by qualitative and secondary data based. However, Bangladesh has achieved tremendous success in the readymade garment sector. Readymade garment sectors are altogether dependent on male and female workers who are contributing to the nation as well as to the sectors. Nevertheless, due to the outbreak of the CORONA virus in 2020, Bangladesh is facing a pandemic situation that makes the workers more vulnerable. They are suffering difficulties in many forms, including layoff, closed or reduced remuneration, factory shutdown, congested working settings, prolonged working hours and overtime, unsecured workplace, lack of protective measures, lack of rehabilitating supports, delay of their children's education, traumatic and fearful environment of worker's children, and insufficient health facilities for them. Moreover, the pandemic is hampering the activities of apparel workers, and other informal workers such as rickshaws and van pullers, agriculturists, construction laborers, hawkers, rag pickers, transport workers, and part-time domestic employees are all examples of part-time domestic workers. They are the most vulnerable segment of the CORONA pandemic situation in Bangladesh. As a result, they cannot afford the necessities of family members, including daily food, education, nutrition, and health, due to low income.

Strategi Bisnis UMKM Berbasis E-Commerce Pada Online Shop Adiva Shakila

Digital transformation is an urgency for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in facing global challenges. The benefits of digital transformation through the application of e-commerce include entering the global market, increasing productivity and efficiency. Adiva Shakila Perlengkapan Bhayangkari dan Organisasi (ASPBO) is an e-commerce-based MSME that experienced a decline in profits throughout 2020 and 2021. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the decline in APSBO performance, formulate business strategies that are in accordance with the external and internal environment ASPBO, and determine priority strategies that can be implemented by ASPBO. The selection of respondents was carried out using the purposive sampling method with the assumption that the respondent's knowledge of the object of study. The analytical tools used in this research are internal factor evaluation, external factor evaluation, strength weakness opportunity threat, and quantitative strategic planning matrix. The results of this study indicated that social restrictions are the main threat, the unemployment rate in the textile and textile product industry is the main opportunity, a good reputation is the main strength, and the disruption of product supply is the main weakness. The results also showed that there are four strategy formulations with the first priority, namely empowering the surrounding community who have expertise in the garment sector as an alternative supplier, the second priority is the evaluation and efficiency of business activities, the third priority is sales promotion through the provision of discounts and online advertising, and the fourth priority. namely increasing consumer loyalty. Keywords: e-commerce, MSMEs, QSPM, strategy formulation, SWOT

Limits to disclosures and the continuum of labour exploitation in the Bangladeshi ready-made garment sector

ABSTRACT This paper questions if enough is done to tackle modern slavery within the ready-made garments (RMG) supply chains, through the lens of disclosures in improving work practices. Using evidence from Bangladesh, we find how there is a continuum of labour exploitation where the reality of forced labour is not a static one, but a continuum of experiences highlighting the complexity of the exploitative environment within the dominant neoliberal logic of transparency disclosures. It is imperative not only to make disclosures more robust through due diligence, but support capacity to address exploitation at the lower end of the supply chain.

An Assessment of Energy and Groundwater Consumption of Textile Dyeing Mills in Bangladesh and Minimization of Environmental Impacts via Long-Term Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Baseline

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sectors have evolved to increase market share in the global textile supply chain. Textile sectors heavily rely on energy and groundwater consumption during production; mainly, textile dyeing mills contribute to the carbon footprint and water footprint impact to the environment. Textile dyeing mills have become one of the major industries responsible for the continuous depletion of groundwater levels and severe water pollution to the environment. Reduction of long-term key performance indicators (KPI) can be set to a baseline by reducing energy and groundwater consumption in textile dyeing mills. This study has analyzed the energy and groundwater consumption trend based on 15 textile dyeing mills in Bangladesh in 2019. The average dyed fabric production of 15 textile dyeing mills in 2019 was 7602.88 tons by consuming electricity and groundwater, and discharging treated effluent wastewater to the environment, in the amounts of 17,689.43 MWh, 961.26 million liters, and 640.24 million liters, respectively. The average KPI of treated effluent discharged wastewater was 97.27 L/kg, and energy consumption was 2.58 kWh/kg. Considering yearly 5% reduction strategies of groundwater and energy consumption for each factory could save around 355.43 million liters of water and 6540.68 MWh of electricity in 10 years (equivalent to 4167.08-ton CO2 emission).

Achieving inclusive growth? Wage dynamics in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

ABSTRACT This paper assesses whether industrial growth in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam has been inclusive. While inclusiveness of growth is both a highly debated topic in the development discourse and an official government ambition in all three countries, it has not been assessed systematically in this context. In this paper, we focus specifically on one aspect of inclusiveness by examining the wage inequality between five occupational levels in the manufacturing sector. Based on survey data of companies operating in the electronics, food and beverage, and garment sectors, we show that average wage levels have increased for all occupational levels (although at different rates). We observe a U-shaped wage growth distribution, and argue that this could be a result of automation, dependency on foreign buyers, or an oversupply of pre-employment training programs at the technician level. We further observe particularly high wage growth for lower occupational levels in Cambodia and Laos – indicating relatively inclusive wage growth. In Vietnam, however, there is a development towards more wage inequality. Lastly, our study finds a clear convergence effect in the manufacturing sector; here, improved market information or increased labor mobility and reallocation of (training) resources could be contributing factors.

EVALUATION OF FAIR-TRADE BUSINESS POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN GARMENT INDUSTRY: A COMPANY AND CONSUMER ORIENTED STUDY

Purpose: This research article aims to evaluate the fairness of the textile industry policies and practices in a double way, by examining both companies and consumers dynamics. To find out how equitable the garment sector market is, official reports from the most prominent companies were studied, to determine what they claim to be doing to improve the situation with workers from developing countries, if they meet their self-stablished criteria or not, and the actions that have been consequently taken. Furthermore, this research reflects consumers’ dynamics and points out whether they are ethical and consequent with their opinions. Methodology: Two different approaches were used, one for each different path. The first one consisted of assessing the level of fairness in labor conditions of workers who belong to big supply chains contractors. To do so, this study applied a variation of Grey’s Approach and created some standards. The second one was designing a survey whose data was subsequently analyzed with the objective of finding out if buyers made a conscious and equitable consumption of clothes. Consequently, the survey was divided into questions about buyers’ knowledge of the situation and industry, common purchase practices, and their opinion. Findings: This paper proposes a quantitative way to evaluate how well are supply chains managing to provide a fair environment for workers coming from subcontracts in developing countries, as well as it allows some comparison between brands and give clues on how to improve. In addition, the perception and consumption pattern of common textile buyers was captured and appraised. These conclusions have helped to accurately describe the current situation of production chains in the garment sector. Originality: To the authors’ knowledge, there is no other research that describes how companies perceive the current situation of production chains and subcontracted workers in the garment sector using their own published data. In addition, this research also takes account of the point of view of the consumer, giving a full view of the industry situation. Keywords: supply chain, clothes, consumers, fair labour conditions, delocalization

Human resource issues and challenges prevailing in Indian textile & garment industry

The textiles and garment sector is a major source of export earnings, government revenue and employment for India. The sector also contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of Indian economy. Indian textile sector is facing many challenges around the globe, especially post-COVID economic recession and rising cost of production. Therefore, mapping of the human resource requirements and their enhancement to facilitate skilled labour is required for the entire gamut of the textile industry. The shortage of skilled manpower is a major constraint affecting the growth of the Indian textile industry which needs a lot of augmentation and technical and financial assistance from both governments and foreign development partners. To overcome the huge skill gap Integrated Skill Development Scheme has been launched to train workers in various segments - textiles, apparel, handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture, jute etc. and sophisticated HRD strategies for better performance. With the objectives of sustainable HRD and promoting R&D to improve productivity across the entire textiles value chain, the Strategic Plan (2011-16) of the Ministry of Textiles focused on skill promotion of all textile workers and creation of new employment opportunities. Integration of sustainability in HRD has become a new central organizing focus for apparel and textiles higher education. Today’s textile trainees are prospective human resources for textile and apparel industry. Our textile education institutes require producing most efficient, highly competitive, technologically updated, resourceful, creative, environment friendly, skilful managers. The HR engaged in T&G industry must be acquainted with the impact of all of the production, distribution, consumption and disposal activities on physical, social, ethical and economic environment, including total quality management, eco-textiles, waste control, recycling, product life cycle analysis, CSR, labour laws, social welfare and healthy labour practices etc. The challenges like sweatshops, child labour, low wages, unhealthy work environment, lack of social capital for technology adaption, need of quality and creativity led policies rather than increasing the quantity of workforce, lack of academia and industry linkage and many more must be treated appropriately for better development of human resources in textile and garment industry. The proper strategy of curriculum designs and models can play a key role in the textile and apparel industry and institutions for generating better resourceful, eco-efficient, cost-efficient, customer-friendly, ethical and socially responsible human resources and by this means nurturing the fascinating dream of sustainable lifestyle of the people around the globe.

IR 4.0 Readiness of Apparel Industry in Bangladesh

Innovation and technological advancement are crucial for the apparel industry, particularly in manufacturing, made-to-order items, and customer requirements. This industry has become one of the most critical aspects of Bangladesh's industrialization process. However, businesses now strategically drive a series of changes, both from an organizational productivity perspective and a technologically supportive one. Industry 4.0 has significant potential to swap the business and manufacturing processes. Although perceptible advancement has been made in the practice of Industry 4.0 technologies and innovation in the manufacturing industries in industrialized countries, there is hesitation about the readiness of competitive businesses and manufacturing industries in developing countries like Bangladesh to adopt Industry 4.0. This study investigates the Bangladeshi apparel Industry's preparedness to implement Industry 4.0. A mixed-methods strategy has been implemented to evaluate the Bangladesh garment sector's readiness. The quantitative information was gathered through an online survey backed by a questionnaire instrument and quantitative methods of the Impulse Foundation of the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau-VDMA). Furthermore, the qualitative data was taken through key informant interviews (KIIs). This exploratory research focused on how companies use technological tools and methodologies and how prepared to adopt the massive changes brought forward by IR 4.0. Based on this study's findings, apparel companies should use technologies such as ERP, Big Data, Cloud, M2M Communication to boost Bangladesh's global competitiveness. In addition, respondents believed that digital transformation could create a smart factory to optimize the manufacturing system, which has a very substantial impact on industry 4.0. Moreover, this exploratory study revealed that Bangladesh's garment companies face significant difficulties in IR 4.0 strategy design and equipment organization to meet IR 4.0 expectations. It is also revealed in this research that skills related to Industry 4.0 exist in hands in Bangladesh. Therefore, further research is needed to discover more features of Industry 4.0 adoption and skilled employee prerequisites.

Occupational stress and health risk of employees working in the garments sector of Bangladesh: An empirical study.

The present study was conducted with a view to examining the impact of occupational stress on employees' health risk. A total number of 350 garment employees (114 supervisors and 236 workers) were selected from 25 readymade garment factories of Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur industrial areas of Bangladesh on a random sampling basis. Occupational stress was estimated using an ERIs modified questionnaire; when self-reported health problems, work related information and socio-demographic information were obtained using face-to-face interviews using a pre-formed questionnaire. The survey was conducted for 2 years from January 2020 to December 2021 in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur districts where most of the garment industries in Bangladesh are located. All data were processed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Decision Analyst Stats, Version 2.0. For analyzing data, suitable statistical tools such as two-way ANOVA, z-test, chi-square test, Pearson's product-moment correlation, stepwise multiple regressions, and descriptive statistics were used. The results of the present study reveal that the occupational stress had a significant positive influence on health risk. The findings also reveal that both the male and female employees perceived garment job highly stressful and risky for their health causes many dies and sickness, but it was higher among the female employees than their counterparts. Study suggests that due to major illness and diseases garments' employees are lacks of sound health that have to consider remedying for reducing occupational stress and health risk.

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND NON-FINANCIAL JOB SATISFACTION: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE RMG SECTOR OF BANGLADESH

This study aims to assess the impact on Human Resource Management (HRM) practices of the Ready-made Garments Sector, evaluate major changes due to COVID-19 in HRM, and examine employees' non-financial job satisfaction during COVID-19. This study collected data from 100 randomly selected respondents from Ready-made Garments of Bangladesh to accomplish these objectives. The findings show that job satisfaction (non-financial) has positive significant (p<0.05) relation with working environment conditions (WEC) and also has a positive significant (p<0.05) association with employee management relationship (EMR). In contrast, a similar positive correlation is also found between WEC and EMR. However, during COVID-19, non-financial job satisfaction, including hand sanitizer, soap, masks, sick leave, health safety issues, etc., was increased and indicated a satisfactory rank. This suggests that most firms maintain health issues, safety, and others during a pandemic, which enhances non-financial job satisfaction. On the contrary, financial benefits are reduced, loss of jobs, and lack of job safety increases, which cannot be ignored. Moreover, this study also recommends several policies that may improve the employees' productivity and the industry as a whole.