La respuesta de los sectores tradicionales frente a la globalización y el avance tecnológico. El caso de la industria textil en la C.A. del País Vasco

This article analyses the problems faced by traditional industries in advanced countries. It makes a typical case study of a traditional industry from which lessons may be extrapolated to many other activities. Specifically, it looks at the characteristics of the textile garment-manufacturing industry in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, identifying the different types of company competing in the industry. The study is essentially based on interviews conducted in twenty-one textile companies, although in analysing the companies’ results it also makes use of the Industrial Accounts produced by Eustat. The authors reveal the difficult situation being experienced by textile companies in the Basque Country at the present time. They conclude that Basque textile companies could grow and increase competitiveness by creating and managing certain intangible factors, such as brand, more flexible production arrangements (involving outsourcing of certain phases) and new formulas of interaction which bring tthe product closer to the final customer (selling through direct outlets or retailers).