Monday, January 27, 2014

Q2. The dynamics of the apparel value chain and how the global apparel industry is classified as a buyer-driven industry

The dynamics of the apparel value chain and how the global apparel industry is classified as a buyer-driven industry

1.     The dynamics of the apparel value chain
1.1 Two types of value chains
Ø   based on the concentration
of power between buyers and suppliers
1. producer-driven value chains
2. buyer-driven value chains

In the past
q  Producer-driven value chains
q  In producer-driven value chains, usually transnational, manufactures play the central roles in coordinating production networks.
Ø  push system

Present
q  Buyer-driven value chain
q  Buyer-driven value chains are those in which large retailers, marketers and branded manufacturers play the pivotal roles in setting up decentralized production networks
Ø  power shift to downstream
Ø  pull system

1.2 Other dynamics
Ø   Globalization
q  Highly competitive
q  Globally decentralized factory systems
q  Low entry barriers
Ø   China’s accession into the WTO
q  Elimination of all textile quotas


 
 
 
 
 
2.     How the global apparel industry is classified as a buyer-driven industry.

2.1 Buyer-driven industry
Ø   buyers (retailers, marketers and branded manufacturers) play the key role in setting up decentralized production networks
Ø   in a variety of exporting countries such as some developing countries

2.2 Retailer:
Ø  exercise the main role at the design and retail stages
Ø  have higher power concentration
Ø  develop a higher entry barrier among members of the value chain
Ø  high entry barriers at the branding and retail stages will result in higher market power and profitability

2.3 Use of IT
Use of advanced information systems, retailers can:
Ø   gain real-time market knowledge from the front line
Ø   streamline supply chain operations at the back end
Ø   manage their extensive global sourcing networks

2.4 Suppliers and manufacturers:
Ø  weak members in the value chain
Ø  they have to compete in highly competitive and globally decentralized factory systems with low entry barriers
Ø  resulted in an ill-balanced and highly buyer-driven apparel industry on a global scale.



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