• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2008

In recent years, Korea's apparel exports to the USA have faced a great threat, as the trade environment around the world has changed continually. The purpose of this study is to analyze the competitive position of Korean apparel exports to the USA, and to enhance export competitiveness by applying to offshore sourcing. The trade data of the Office of Textiles and Apparel(OTEXA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce were selected for inquiry about export competitiveness of apparel products made in Korea. In addition, we targeted members of the Korea Apparel Industry Association among the 500 exporters of clothing items in "The Import and Export Textile Product 2003." A total 70 sheets were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Korean apparel exports to USA have decreased by 20-35 percent per year since 2005 under the Free Trade Area, showing that Korean apparel industries have not adapted to the new trade environment. Although Korean apparel exports to USA have indicated a trade surplus from now on, Korean apparel industries should find new ways to overcome this situation, diminishing exports and increasing imports. 2) Korean apparel companies selected more offshore sourcing than domestic sourcing. Also, as Korean apparel companies manufactured apparel products offshore, foreign subcontracting outranked manufacturing in their own foreign plants. When they chose foreign countries to source, they turned mainly to China and Vietnam. Also, they considered the target country's manufacturing price, labor stability, apparel products, quality, lead time, and so on. In order to increase apparel exports, Korean apparel industries should focus more on developing competitively new apparel products, improving the ability of sourcing management, and establishing on-the-spot agencies.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.147-160
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• 2022

This study aim to use the GTAP model to analyze the impact of RCEP Fermentation in the Korean manufacturing industry by quantifying the RCEP tariff commitment table. The research results show RCEP has boosted output in all sub-manufactures except wood and printed matter due to increased export volumes. Wood products, on the other hand, are more reliant on imports due to lower production due to lower domestic sales or overall exports. After RCEP came into effect, the import and export scale of Korea's manufacturing industry expanded effectively. Among them, the positive impact on the intensive low-tech manufacturing industries such as clothing and leather products, wood products and printing products, and food, beverage and tobacco products is greater than the positive impact on the technology-intensive medium and high-tech and high-tech manufacturing industries. And found that the growth rate of Korea's manufacturing trade is basically proportional to the tax reduction rate of RCEP. Finally, in order to promote the development of the manufacturing industry, some suggestions are put forward that need the government's policy support and strengthen the regional cooperation with RCEP member countries.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.145-159
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• 2011

The study aimed to analyze the status quo of manufacturing work environment and the work clothes' clothing comfort and wearer mobility of welding and grinding work processes in the machine and shipbuilding industries in South Korea. A questionnaire survey was conducted for the study, which consisted of questions about work clothes' clothing comfort and wearer mobility according to body parts. The findings derived from the research were: the high impact levels of work environment factors on welding and grinding work processes were noise, metal fragment, superheat, toxic gas, UV ray factors. Subject workers' assessment of work clothes' clothing pressures were in the levels between 3 (i.e. moderate) and 4 (i.e. comfortable) in a range of 5-point scale. The impact levels of wearer mobility factor were high on the work processes of welding and grinding in machine and grinding in shipbuilding. While welding process in shipbuilding showed a 'moderate' wearer mobility level and this was because its work postures were uncomfortable yet the rate of the motion change was low. The consideration to develop the work clothes specialized for certain work processes should include the materials' protecting performance from the hazardous work environment factors; and work clothes' designs that provides workers with maximized clothing comfort and wearer mobility for bending or tilting postures of upper, lower and lateral body parts defined in the study.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to develop the size and grading increments chart for the middle-aged obese women compared with normal women in middle age. Seven hundred and thirty three women's data from the 4th National Korean Size Survey for Standardization (1997) were analyzed. It was found that size increment of bust and hip girth of obese women was different from that of ordinary middle-aged women. The rate of coverage for a certain set of size specification and the grading increment value for the clothing of Korean obese women in middle aged group were also suggested. The relative percentage value of grading rule based on the change in bust girth increment of Korean obese women was quite different from that of American women. In conclusion, it was noted that the characteristics of the body size specification of obese women was quite different from those of the corresponding age group, so that the separated size specification and grading rule are needed to be used in the manufacturing process of obese women's clothing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.330-341
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• 2016

This study suggested criterion for Petite-size and analyzed the body size and characteristics that were proper to manufacture clothing for Korean Petite-size women aged 18 to 34. It also analyzed size information about pattern making for Petite-size women through a comparison of the size and proportion of Petite-size with Regular-size. The criterion of Petite-size was decided in consideration of the distribution and perception of stature; subsequently, the stature range for Petite-size was defined as under 157.5cm. Body size and proportion of Petite-size were analyzed through calculating the mean from 25 to 75 percentiles of a Petite-size stature range. The Petite-size of this study was compared to KS Petite and total subjects through One way ANOVA. It was confirmed that the Petite-size of this study had body characteristics like KS Petite; however, Petite-size was larger in height and vertical length than KS Petite. The significant differences between Petite-size and Regular-size were identified in the same bust girth range, that required a revised calculation formula for pattern making that would be proper for Petite-size. It is expected that the Body size and proportion could be utilized as a reference for manufacturing or purchasing Petite-size clothing. The result of this study will contribute to enhance the fit satisfaction for Petite-size women aged 18 to 34.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.385-396
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyze and categorize the factors of appearance management motivation of male and female college students in Busan. It also aimed to analyze the differences in their clothing behavior and make-up behavior. The data were analyzed by Factor analysis, Cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test, and multi-response analysis. The results of this study are as follows: There were four factors including self -development, emphasis on the physical appearance, individuality-seeking, and sexual appealing. These subjects were categorized into three different types of groups: social-self-management type, passive appearance management type, and individuality-seeking type. In terms of the differences in the clothing purchase behavior of the physical appearance management motivation group, there were significant differences in the criteria of their selections for clothing. The most important factor was the design, followed by the price and the fabrics. The differences in cosmetics selection were investigated in order to analyze the differences in their make-up behavior of physical appearance management motivation group. The results showed that the quality, the price, and the manufacturing country were considered as the most important criteria for their selection of cosmetics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.1-14
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• 2011

With the trend of wearing mountaineering wear as casual apparel as well as a continuous increase of mountaineers, mountaineering wear market has rapidly grown. New techniques to improve mountaineering apparel have been developed. Construction Without Sewing(CWS) is one of them. It is a sewing technique to improve performance and functions of new functional mountaineering apparel. CWS employs a welding machine with an adhesive tape and press instead of sewing so that it makes the apparel lighter and have better wearability, durability, and windproof and waterproof function, than sewed apparel. This study focuses on the concept, nature, and applications of the mountaineering wear manufactured by CWS. It also made an analysis of manufacturing process, and proposed three designs for the mountaineering wear created by CWS. With introducing the merits of CWS, the costumers will be have better understanding of CWS and break their stereotype that functional clothing is simply expensive without considering its benefits.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.703-714
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• 2010

This study assumes that Korea's offshore outsourcing is used for diverse purposes such as designing, the supply of raw and subsidiary materials, production, and manufacturing. The purpose for production exists in the beginning stages of development, because it would have grown in scope since the 1990s when offshore outsourcing began in earnest. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 firms with an annual production capacity of more than 200,000 pieces among clothing brands for the domestic market, clothing exporters, and promotion agencies. The interviews took place from December 18, 2008 to January 30, 2009. The interviewees were limited to the officers who had the authority to select manufacturers and decide on production volumes. Responses from the in-depth interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. The study results are summarized as follows: First, Korean clothing companies were found to rely on offshore outsourcing (China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia). Second, offshore outsourcing focused on the purposes for production; however, even fabrics were often outsourced in the case of production in China. Third, the interviewed firms mentioned cost savings, production cost reduction, and labor cost reduction most frequently as the main reasons for offshore outsourcing. Fourth, customs duties were considered most important in offshore outsourcing. Finally, when deciding on foreign manufacturers for offshore outsourcing, the surveyed clothing companies were found to: select manufacturers after market research in their outsourced countries, maintain existing contracts, or consider design capabilities and price quotations of candidate manufacturers.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.167-191
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• 1989

The present study was conducted to devlop and appropriate retirement home model for the elderly in terms of clothing and textiles; nutrition, health, and foodservice; housing and environment; and psychological adaptation. Specifically, the purposes of the study were: 1) to provide basic guidelines for clothing by comparing the clothing behavior of the elderly living in the retirement home and those living in their own homes with family, 2) to provide basic guidelines for balanced diet and effective foodservice, 3) to develop an ideal life space and facilities, and 4) to assess the psychological characteristics of the elderly. Questionnaires, observation, experimental method, and survey of literature were used for the study. Clothing behavior showed that the elderly were much concerned about clothing, and they preferred comfortable as well as fashionable designs. The elderly in the retirement homes complained of a lack of quantity and variety in clothing. They preferred natural fiber rather than blended fabrics. Flame resistance, thermal insulation, and flexibility of textile fabrics were found to be prime considerations in manufacturing and selecting clothing materials for the elderly. The health status of the surveyed elderly was generally good, but some poor eating habits were observed. Dietary nutrients intakes were generally sufficient, but several nutrients intakes were insufficient. The level of equipment in the kitchens of the institutions was low. Furthermore, the employment rate of dietitians in institutional settings was extremely low. This resulted in a lack of systematic foodservice management. Residents in the institution were generally satisfied with present life space and facilities but this was mainly because of abandonment, adaptation, and past experience. Optimal allocation of residents per bedroom and an adequate design for storage, bathroom, utility room, and dining room were recommended. The comparison of psychological status of the elderly living at home was more stable than those living in an institution. The emotional state of the elderly living in the institution was characterized by loneliness; they did not have close interpersonal relationships or future plans. An appropriate model for the elderly was developed on the basis of these findings.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.723-732
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• 2009

The quick response(QR) system is very popular in Korean apparel companies. However, the usage of QR system was not known well. The purpose of this study is to identify the usage of the quick response decision support system(QR DSS) and postponement manufacturing in the Korean apparel company. The researched company was the only one which used the QR DSS. The researchers carried out the depth interview with the QR decision makers of the company. This company had 14 brands, and had used the QR DSS since January, 2008. The results are as follows: The QR DSS was supportive computer software program, and it helped the staffs to make agile decision about QR repeat production of clothing. The QR DSS automatically calculated the related data, and suggested the expected sales volume and the proper supply amounts of the styles. There were four functions in QR DSS : 'QR Alert', 'Proper Supply Amount Simulation', 'Sensible QR', and 'Supply/Sales Simulation by Item'. The men's clothing brands effectively used 'Supply/Sales Simulation by Item' function. And the women's clothing brands effectively used 'QR Alert' function. This company also used the postponement production system for QR repeat production. The postponement production was conducted with four methods : the yarn stocking, the grey fabric stocking, the dyed fabric stocking, and the fabric sourcing. The men's clothing brands usually used of the yarn stocking methods and the dyed fabric stocking methods. The women's clothing brands usually used the grey fabric stocking methods. By using QR DSS and postponement production system the company was able to shorten the lead time for QR decision making.