The US and Japanese apparel demand conditions: implications for industry competitiveness

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Elena Karpova, Putman & Hayes Distinguished Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Purpose- The purpose of this paper is to investigate aggregated apparel demand in the USA and Japan and to assess the positions of apparel products manufactured in the USA and Japan in comparison to imported apparel.Design/methodology/approach- Based on Porter's industry competitiveness theory as a theoretical framework, the two-step demand analysis, time-series market analysis and elasticities of demand using “Almost ideal demand system” was conducted in order to reveal the overall market conditions of the USA and Japan and the market positions of domestically manufactured and imported apparel products in both countries.Findings- Regardless of the country of origin, US consumers were price conscious in purchasing apparel products because they decreased purchase for not only domestically produced products but also imported products when prices increased. However, Japanese consumers' price concept toward apparel products was dual. They increased their purchase of domestically made products if the price was higher, and decreased their purchase of imported products.Originality/value- This paper provides a framework for the apparel industry competitiveness assessment with regard to the demand-side analysis of Porter's competitiveness theory. Moreover, there is no research in the current literature that assessed the US apparel demand with regard to industry competitiveness and a cross national view, especially compared with the Japanese apparel industry.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 15(1), 76-90.
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
clothing, competitive strategy, demand management, United States of America, Japan

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