A Tale of Two Industries: An Interpretive Analysis of Media Reports on Textiles and Apparel in North Carolina

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Nancy J. Nelson Hodges, Burlington Industries Professor and Head (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: This qualitative study explores recent textile and apparel industry dynamics from the point of view of the news media to understand how such dynamics are presented to the general public. North Carolina, having been home to many jobs in these industries, was used as a case study. Data were a total of 600 articles from two of the state’s primary newspapers spanning the period from 1998 to 2003. Content of these articles was analyzed via a hermeneutic, interpretative framework to develop a thematic interpretation of the image of the two industries provided by the news media. Several themes were tied together through three broad topical areas—industry changes, strategic initiatives, and the impact of loss—and provide a multidimensional view of the industries as presented to the public. Further research is needed to understand the impact this image might have on public perceptions of the future of these industries.

Additional Information

Publication
Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 26(3), 253-272.
Language: English
Date: 2008
Keywords
textile industry, apparel industry, mass media, North Carolina

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