Title: Product development process in small and medium clothing companies: focus on relations with suppliers, retailers and final client

Authors: Yslene Rocha Kachba; André Mathias Souza Plath; Marcelo Gomes Gitirana Ferreira; Fernando Antonio Forcellini

Addresses: Department of Production and Systems Engineering, Federal University at Santa Catarina, Garden Trindade S/N, Florianópolis City, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil ' Department of Textile Engineering, Federal Technology University at Paraná, Street Marcilio Dias, N.: 454, Apucarana City, Paraná, 86812-460, Brazil ' Department of Design, State University of Santa Catarina, Avenue Madre Benvenuta, N.: 2007, Itacoribi Florianópolis City, Santa Catarina, 88035-001, Brazil ' Department of Production and Systems Engineering, Federal University at Santa Catarina, Garden Trindade S/N, Florianópolis City, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify and analyse the product development process (PDP) at small and medium size manufacturing companies in the clothing and textile sector. It focuses on company relations with suppliers, retailers and final clients. Methodologically, the study was conducted by means of multiple case studies at five small and medium size clothing manufacturing companies in Southern Brazil. It found a lack of partnerships with suppliers; a lack of participation of final clients in PDP; the organisation of the sector in functional teams; and the centralisation of decisions and actions of the PDP sectors among the owners.

Keywords: product development; small and medium-sized enterprises; textile SMEs; clothing SMEs; clothing industry; garment industry; apparel industry; clothing manufacturing; Brazil; supplier partnerships; final clients; client participation; centralisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2014.059764

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2014 Vol.17 No.3, pp.303 - 317

Published online: 21 Jun 2014 *

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