We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
GLOBAL SOURCING, GLOBAL TRADE.
- Authors
Azoulay, Julia Fein
- Abstract
This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of global trade. There was a time when the worst pressure facing a manufacturer was scrambling to fulfill the just-in-time demands. No longer. Global trade has proven to be a double-edged sword--it's brought countless benefits in terms of both sourcing and production--but it's also unleashed massive competitive pressures. Another side effect has been challenges to communication. Technology has become increasingly central to global apparel and textiles sourcing and trade, bringing with it a new vocabulary--much of which may be obscure to industry pros. There are more straightforward language problems as well, in addition to cultural innuendo that is difficult to master. Time zone differences can wreak havoc. And the increased prevalence of a digital supply chain means that executives, designers, and sales teams all have to be on the same page--theoretically and literally. Nevertheless, possibilities opened up by global sourcing have proven to be worth the effort--and the global sourcing options are growing plentiful. The industry is a bit conflicted. Some U.S. textile and apparel firms are excited by the possibilities global sourcing is opening up, while some are deeply concerned by the damage it's doing to domestic operations.
- Subjects
INTERNATIONAL trade; TEXTILE industry; TECHNOLOGY; INDUSTRIES
- Publication
AATCC Review, 2004, Vol 4, Issue 11, p34
- ISSN
1532-8813
- Publication type
Article