Advancing US small business apparel production: a state-level mixed-method exploration

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Abstract

Purpose

This study highlights the impact of attaining and incorporating knowledge and building relationships with other firms in US apparel production.

Design/methodology/approach

Producers of apparel and sewn products operating within a US state form the sample for this mixed methods exploration. Study 1 involves a qualitative analysis of the producers highlighting knowledge in interorganizational discussions. Study 2 quantitatively measures responses from 38 producing firms. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to measure associations, and simple slopes were computed to examine interactions.

Findings

The knowledge exchanged, according to participants in study 1, was limited, thus warranting further examination. Results from study 2 revealed strong associations among knowledge absorptive capacity, social interaction and people-oriented culture with network ties. A two-way interaction effect was found for absorptive capacity and social interaction, indicating association between social interaction and network ties was more positive at higher levels of absorption capacity and vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

Findings provide theoretical and applied support for building network ties. This research operationalizes complicated-to-measure constructs critical to the empirical measurement of junctions from two theoretical frameworks, in the context of a specific industry. Though acceptable for exploratory research, additional work is needed to refine reliability measures and to examine a national sample.

Originality/value

This study links elements of social capital- and knowledge-based views of the firm necessary for reviving US apparel production. Broader outcomes from this research include job creation providing support and growth in the US sewn apparel and goods industry that will drive US economy.

Related collections

Most cited references 71

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Three approaches to qualitative content analysis.

Hsiu-Fang Hsieh, Sarah Shannon (2016)

Content analysis is a widely used qualitative research technique. Rather than being a single method, current applications of content analysis show three distinct approaches: conventional, directed, or summative. All three approaches are used to interpret meaning from the content of text data and, hence, adhere to the naturalistic paradigm. The major differences among the approaches are coding schemes, origins of codes, and threats to trustworthiness. In conventional content analysis, coding categories are derived directly from the text data. With a directed approach, analysis starts with a theory or relevant research findings as guidance for initial codes. A summative content analysis involves counting and comparisons, usually of keywords or content, followed by the interpretation of the underlying context. The authors delineate analytic procedures specific to each approach and techniques addressing trustworthiness with hypothetical examples drawn from the area of end-of-life care.

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The Discovery of Grounded Theory

Barney G. Glaser, Anselm L. Strauss (1967)

Most writing on sociological method has been concerned with how accurate facts can be obtained and how theory can thereby be more rigorously tested. In The Discovery of Grounded Theory, Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss address the equally Important enterprise of how the discovery of theory from data--systematically obtained and analyzed in social research--can be furthered. The discovery of theory from data--grounded theory--is a major task confronting sociology, for such a theory fits empirical situations, and is understandable to sociologists and laymen alike. Most important, it provides relevant predictions, explanations, interpretations, and applications.In Part I of the book, Generation Theory by Comparative Analysis, the authors present a strategy whereby sociologists can facilitate the discovery of grounded theory, both substantive and formal. This strategy involves the systematic choice and study of several comparison groups. In Part II, The Flexible Use of Data, the generation of theory from qualitative, especially documentary, and quantitative data Is considered. In Part III, Implications of Grounded Theory, Glaser and Strauss examine the credibility of grounded theory.The Discovery of Grounded Theory is directed toward improving social scientists' capacity for generating theory that will be relevant to their research. While aimed primarily at sociologists, it will be useful to anyone Interested In studying social phenomena--political, educational, economic, industrial-- especially If their studies are based on qualitative data.