12/19/2015

V INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - TEXTILE INDUSTRY

10 June 2016, The College of Textile Design, Technology and Management and Belgrade Chamber of Commerce will organised the

V INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH
IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY

TEXTILE DESIGN / TECHNOLOGY / MANAGEMENT

12/06/2015

Cross Cultural Management

Business on a global level leads to connecting and communicating between people of different cultures and customs. It is therefore essential that managers and employees recognize and respect the culture and traditions of other nations they do business with, because it is a basic requirement for effective communication and business success. It is especially important to adjust approaches, methods and techniques of managing business processes and actions in conditions of significant cultural differences, which is the main task of Cross Cultural Management.

Cross Cultural Management is a new management approach or a new specialized discipline of management, which was created under the influence of the globalization process and deals with managing various business processes and actions in terms of large cultural differences, aiming to spread new knowledge, experience and values in different surroundings and enable more efficient operations.

11/18/2015

Fast Fashion


Fast fashion can be defined as a business model that combinesfour elements:
§  fashionable clothes mostly for consumers under 40;
§  affordable prices in the mid-to-low range;
§  quick response;
§  frequent assortment changes.
Difference between fast fashion and traditional retailing is the way assortments are managed. For many years the industry has worked around the concept of collections. Assortments are updated twice a year: at the beginning of the calendar year, the Spring-Summer collection is introduced; at the end of the summer the Fall-Winter collection is released. This industry-wide pace of change has been supported by design (cool hunting), communication (catwalks and store mock-ups where media and wholesale customers are invited), sales and marketing (catalogs, advertising) that follow similar biannual patterns.

11/01/2015

Retail product management



Retail product management is not just about making sure that the best product range is available in the store. Equally important to the customer is how products are presented to them.The way products are displayed, whether it is on a shelf in a store or on a web site, the logic of the layout, the relationship between one product group and another and the atmosphere created around the products, are all-important aspects of the retail product management process.
In a small retail organisation product management may be incorporated into the general running of the store. In a quiet moment an owner/manager may phone through an order to a supplier or stock up a depleted shelf display; but in large retail organisations product management is an extensive task, involving many different layers of management and dedicated teams of experts in massive central buying offices.

10/16/2015

IMPORTANCE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATIONS FOR THE FASHION INDUSTRY

Creating a brand and success comes largely as a result of innovation. While competitive advantage can arise as a consequence of the size of the company or disposition of resources, more and more dominant position in the market occupied by companies that are able to mobilize knowledge, technology skills and experience to constantly create new products, and processes and services. The presented conceptualization of knowledge management is based on the need for synergy between the capabilities of advanced information technologies and human creativity and innovation to realize goals in turbulent business environment. We can say that the knowledge management is the mental, behavioural and cultural shift from the old adage ‘knowledge is power’ to the new mindset ‘sharing knowledge is power’.

8/29/2015

STANDARDIZATION OF WORK

Standardization of work is a sensitive area of management activity, so mistakes are very common to occur. The risk of error is twofold: if the standards are set too low and if they are set high. In both cases the work efficiency is being lost.

Standardization of work and determining of standards are carried out through seven steps:

6/05/2015

Book Garment Manufacturing Technology

New book Garment Manufacturing Technology


Chapter "Sewing, stitches and seams" by Colovic Gordana




4/21/2015

Fashion and Development in the Garment Industry


Fashion industry is a multimillion industry. Garment industry is divided into the production of clothes and fashion products. It is focused on achieving optimal results concerning supplies, preparation, production and distribution of fashion products. It is characterized by development of fashion trends, brands, development of distributive network and stores and optimization of logistics from production to retail stores.

Technical-technological development in the last forty years enabled garment industry to implement new methods and procedures and increase productivity while using new textiles and knitting. On that way the industry keeps up with more complex wishes of consumers, demands and fashion trends in the world. The most important tone concerning the rate of growth, design, fashion, utilization and size of assortment is given by centers of large consumption, i.e. the richest countries.

Dear colleagues, share your research and knowledge with us in Journal of Textile Science and Engineering - Special Issue Title: “Fashion and Development in the Garment Industry”!




4/05/2015

Critical success factors

Critical success factors for textile and garment industry are:
  
  • Innovations, high value products, eco-friendly products, eco-labels;
  • Fast responsiveness to market changes, flexibility, collaborative supply chain networks, shortening lead times, speed-to-the market deliveries, information logistics;
  • Industry such as quality, flexibility, supply chain management, strategy formulation and implementation;
  • abour-intensive vs. capital-intensive textiles;
  • Innovative products and process especially in technical textiles, fashion and creativity, product quality, R&D, education, human resources, efficient use of resources, customisation, protection of intellectual property;

2/06/2015

The Garment Manufacturers Risk Assessment – Swot Analysis

Risk is defined as calculation forecast emergence of negative events (hazards) 
that cause loss or calculation forecast emergence of positive events 
(opportunities/chances), which bring us benefits .

Risk is a condition in which there is a possibility of negative deviations from 
the desired outcomes that we expect or hope will happen. In terms of business, 
risk is an unfulfillment of desired business objectives and it must include 
threats and opportunities from the environment that can potentially contribute to 
the growth and development of the company, but prevent development, and 
thus endanger the very survival of a company.



2/05/2015

Sitting or Standing Operator Workplace?

In the design of the workplace, the position of the operator must be considered. Should the operator work from a sitting position, standing position or a combined sitting and standing position? 

Sitting is physiologically most favorable position at work and should be used whenever the nature of the work allows. When sitting, a human spends only about 5% more energy than when lying quietly. What the static muscle strain will be while sitting depends largely on the design of the chair and its connection to the workplace. Sitting, if the body is supported ideally, consumes 20% less energy than standing when doing the same job. The pressure on the spine in a sitting bent position is up to 50% less than in the upright standing. 
Workers position in workplace
Workers position in workplace
When sitting the energy consumption is reduced, and the legs are free of load. Sitting gives stability to the upper body and less strain on the cardiovascular system. According to research, people tend to sit: 
  • At the front of the chair seat 15%.
  • In the middle of the chair seat 52%.
  • On the back of the chair seat 33%.
  • Leaned back in the chair 42%, and
  • Hands resting on the table 40%.

Problems arising when sitting are the following: 
  • deviation of the spine,
  • weakening of the abdominal muscles – so-called "sitting stomach", and
  • bad effect on digestive organs.

For comfortable sitting not only the characteristics of the seat and backrest are important, but also the other factors such as feelings, relief, comfort and relaxation of the body, as well as fatigue, biomechanical conditions, stress and blood circulation. According to De Looze, Kujit-Evers and Van Dieën J. theoretical model of comfort and discomfort and its underlying factors at the human, seat and context level. 
Worker position diagram
Worker position diagram 
Where prolonged sitting at work is required, the following measures should be taken: 

1. Adopt a good sitting position by learning how to adjust the workstation to fit individual needs for specific tasks. 
2. Select a chair with: 
  • controls that are easy to operate from sitting position
  • a seat that adjusts for both height and tilt
  • a seat that does not put pressure the back of thighs or knees
  • a backrest that is shaped to support the lower back and does not give way
  • a front edge curved downwards
  • non-slip, breathable fabric on the seat
  • a stable five-point base
  • a minimum seat width of 40 cm
  • arm rests where practical, that do not interfere with free movements within the workstation
3. Adjust the chair’s height to 25-35 cm below the work surface. 
4. Introduce five minutes of exercise, such as walking for every 40 to 50 minutes of sitting. 

Standing is one of the basic positions of the body. Standing workplace is defined as the workplace at which the task is done in a relatively static standing position at one workplace. In a standing position, the body is held upright with the help of large muscles of the lower extremities and trunk. When standing with the help of the upper extremities the burden can be carried, with the movements of lower torso and legs used to enable the force to move these loads. In order to perform work tasks certain movements of the whole body must be performed, such as bending, turning and moving the trunk, reaching up and aside, while the legs remain in a relatively stable position. 

Standing, in contrast to sitting, includes the static strain of major muscle groups, so that the energy consumption is by about 10-15% higher than at rest in a lying position. But standing is a very productive position for people with regard to the fact that energy consumption and normal standing on two legs hardly require any effort. Moderately hard and difficult task should be performed while standing, because the body must use large force. In applying large forces the body uses large muscles that are found on the shoulders, back and thighs. 

A person's body is affected by the arrangement of the work area and by the tasks that he or she does while standing. The layout of the workstation, the tools, and the placement of keys, controls and displays that the worker needs to operate or observe will determine, and as rule, limit the body positions that the worker can assume while standing. As a result, the worker has fewer body positions to choose from, and the positions themselves are more rigid. This gives the worker less freedom to move around and to rest working muscles. 

Different body positions during working
Different body positions during working
The basic principles of good job design for standing work are: 
  • Change working positions frequently so that working in one position is of a reasonably short duration.
  • Avoid extreme bending, stretching and twisting.
  • Pace work appropriately.
  • Allow workers suitable rest periods to relax; exercises may also help.
  • Provide instruction on proper work practices and the use of rest breaks.

Continuous standing or sitting while working is a common source of discomfort and fatigue. Frequent changes of body positions, including alternating between sitting and standing, help to avoid fatigue. It is therefore desirable to have both standing and sitting arrangement for any work task. Whenever possible, a worker should be able to work sitting or standing at will. 

References 
  1. Colovic G (2010). Management of technology systems in the garment industry, Woodhead Publishing Ltd.
  2. Colovic G (2014). Ergonomics in the garment industry, Woodhead Publishing Limited Ltd.
  3. De Looze MP, Kujit-Evers LFM and Van Dieën J (2003), 'Sitting comfort and discomfort and the relationships with objective measures', Ergonomics, 46 (10): 985- 997.
  4. Ergonomie an Näharbeitsplätzen (2009), Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Textil Elektro, Köln
  5. European Agency for Health and Safety at Work (Available at www.europe.osha)
  6. Health and Safety Executive (Available at www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm)
  7. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html)


Read more: http://textiletribune.blogspot.com/2015/02/sitting-or-standing-operator-workplace.html


1/16/2015

Book Review | Strategic Management In The Garment Industry By Gordana Co...



Foreword
After the project to present Management of technology systems in the garment industry in a new way, the logical sequence after conducted researches imposed the need to create a new paradigm for Strategic management in garment industry.

The essence of this book is in the development and survival of products in garment industry. The book represents a milestone and applied concept for a modern environment that is characterized by permanent changes due to rapid development of technology and information systems. This requires a multidisciplinary approach to strategic management in garment industry, as the author presents through six areas of this unique book.

Chapter one shows what influenced the need to use strategic management in garment industry. The influence of environment, abilities and constant innovations in production-business system directly affect the existence, survival and success of the company. The answers to strategic questions where we are now, where we want to be and how to get there are given in other chapters of the book.

Garment industry employs millions of people around the world, and profits are measured in billions of euros. In this way, the industry follows the increasingly complex consumer desires, demands and fashion trends in the world. The basic tone in terms of growth rates, design, fashion, functionality and wide range of products is given by the centres with high consumption i.e. the richest states. The second chapter discusses the necessity of garment producers to invest in the professionals who will be able to explore the market, management strategies and methods for new product development and optimization of technological process of making clothes.

In garment industry today there are major problems in terms of market research, monitoring competition, investing in one’s own development, making original creations and scientific approach to introducing fashion products in the market. The third chapter describes the sequence analysis of marketing methods in which the first step is the analysis of consumers, the study of sales data and estimating fashion trends. It is necessary to determine the size and purchasing power of consumers, the acceptability of garment products in the market, eliminating weaknesses in the sales channels, distribution and promotional activities. Marketing strategies with examples of famous fashion companies give examples of how to use information technology in the globalization of markets, and how to apply knowledge management where necessary and when necessary.

The fourth chapter deals with efficient operations which, in conditions of high competition and global economic crisis, make quality clothing products possible to exist. Therefore it is necessary to know and plan the strategy of garment production, analyze and adjust to market and business changes and apply it adequately: Strategic business conditions, Strategic planning, PEST analysis, Portfolio Analysis, Strategic control, Benchmarking, Brand strategic...
Organization in modern environment is characterized by continuous change. The fifth chapter discusses how to do business which requires more flexible organizational structure, process approach and work teams. Methods and techniques for predicting scientific and technological progress are described in details, so it is possible to use, within strategic management in garment industry, the methods and techniques by which the effectiveness and efficiency in realizing planned goals are achieved: SWOT analysis, Scenario method, Gap analysis and Five Forces Analysis.

The sixth chapter describes a modern company that has organizational culture as a part of organizational mission. Modern organizational structure should be a successfully modelled complex system with the characteristics of flexibility, dynamics as well as cohesion. The study of organizational behaviour provides obtaining the competences required for successful workers, work groups, work team leaders or managers, together with talented individuals.

Dr Danijela Paunovic