A competitive framework for the South African clothing industry

The SA clothing industry has shed over 67 000 jobs in the past three years. There is a possibility that more jobs may be shed in the South African clothing industry over the next few years. The SA clothing industry is facing a great challenge because of the rapidly changing business environment with respect to global competition, market performance, and advancing technology. The study is part of doctoral thesis and has focused on the development of a framework that would assist to reaffirm and re-establish strategies that may improve the current plight of manufacturers and help prevent job losses through innovative thinking (www.dti.org.za). The methodology adopted in the research includes a review of existing literature and documents on the industry from Clofed, Texfed, relevant research reports from the DTI, NEPAD, newspaper articles, journal articles such as the International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology and Operations Management, interviews and discussions with organizational staff and management.