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Using Upgrading Strategy and Analytics to Provide Agility to Clothing Manufacturing Subsidiaries: With a Case Study

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  • Jolta Kacani

    (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)

  • Lucas Wunnik

    (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the typology of clothing manufacturing subsidiaries located in host territories based on the upgrading strategy and the use of analytics followed by the head office. We follow a case study methodology based on extensive fieldwork in two Italian clothing manufacturing subsidiaries located in Albania. Our first case study is Shqiperia Trikot sh.p.k, a subsidiary of Cotonella S.p.A, and the second case is Valcuvia Alba sh.p.k, a subsidiary of Valcuvia S.r.l. These subsidiaries have in common the products they manufacture, the nationality of enterprises they represent, and the host territory in which they are located. However, the two subsidiaries differ in the strategy followed by respective head offices toward their operational activity in the host economy. By comparing two different strategies of head office assignment, the typology of clothing manufacturing subsidiaries is determined based on the degree of upgrading and the level of agility obtained within the last 20 years. Our findings indicate that a clothing manufacturing subsidiary has an active typology when the head office assignment promotes upgrading and uses analytics to bring more flexibility in production. An active clothing manufacturing subsidiary is a synonym of a more flexible, adaptable, and agile enterprise operating in a host territory.

Suggested Citation

  • Jolta Kacani & Lucas Wunnik, 2017. "Using Upgrading Strategy and Analytics to Provide Agility to Clothing Manufacturing Subsidiaries: With a Case Study," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 18(1), pages 21-31, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:gjofsm:v:18:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s40171-016-0139-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s40171-016-0139-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Miguel Afonso Sellitto & Domingos Rafael Ferla Valladares & Erica Pastore & Arianna Alfieri, 2022. "Comparing Competitive Priorities of Slow Fashion and Fast Fashion Operations of Large Retailers in an Emerging Economy," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 23(1), pages 1-19, March.

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