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sustaInaBlE FashIon : a handBooK For Educators
suMMary
Students collect, synthesize, and analyze information from a
variety of sources and use this information to evaluate the
advantages and disadvantages of a country as a sourcing
option for a particular company and product category
(presented in a case study). Students take on one or
more decision-maker roles within the textile, apparel, and
accessories industries (e.g. labor compliance specialist,
product development specialist, trade and investment
specialist, human resources specialist, cultural liaison) in
conducting the research and communicating their analysis.
This learning activity can be completed as a team project
or as an individual project. Students are expected to
articulate, through written and oral means, the results of
their research and decision regarding a selected country
as a sourcing option for a particular company and product
category.
- InstructIons For usIng thE lEarnIng actIVIty
(E.g. BacKground concEpts, tIMIng rEQuIrEd,
rEcoMMEndEd nuMBEr oF partIcIpants)
Students are divided into teams of no more than five
students with each student in the team taking the role
of the one of the specialists. The students complete the
learning activity through a combination of individual and
group work. Each team is assigned a country for their
analysis. An overview of the project is presented in class
with time allowed for teams to get together and work
on their contract. It is recommended that the instructor
select a country not already assigned and model the group
presentation – highlighting the analysis and justification
of the sourcing decision with the advantages and
disadvantages based on the input of all five specialist areas.
Class time is required for the oral presentations by each
group. It is recommended that presentations occur over
several class periods.
- actual MatErIals proVIdEd to studEnts
global sourcing decision case studyExpected Student Learning outcomes
As a result of this project you will be able to:- Take on the role of a decision-maker within the textile,
apparel, and accessories industries in determining the
advantages and disadvantages of a country as a sourcing
option for a particular company and product category,
with particular emphasis on ethics and human resource
concerns. - Collect, synthesize, and analyze information from a
variety of sources and use this information to analyze the
advantages and disadvantages of a country as a sourcing
option for a particular company and product category. - Work as a team to analyze factors that affect a country’s
abilities to effectively participate in the global textile,
apparel, and accessories industries. - Articulate, through written and oral means, the results
of your research and group decision regarding a selected
country as a sourcing option.
Background Information
Jenny Active Wear
LaTasha Lewis and Anthony Magine are successful
graduates of Oregon State University and have started
their own private corporation: Jenny Active Wear - a chain
of specialty retail stores for women’s leisure and sports
apparel merchandise in the better price zone (based
on the price zone categories of designer, bridge, better,
moderate, and budget). Through their Jenny retail stores,
Jenny Active Wear offers both private label (store brand)
merchandise under the Jenny label and recognized national/
international brands (e.g. Nike, Champion). Business has
picked up and sales have grown more than they ever
expected. They are planning to add 20 Jenny retail stores
this year as well as expand their retail website. LaTasha and
Anthony anticipate needing 100,000 units to stock these
new stores. Because of this they have hired a US-based
consulting firm (your group) to advise them on sourcing
options for their store brand merchandise. Apparel
manufacturers from several countries have approached
the partners and they have attended MAGIC Sourcing
Fair in Las Vegas. To inform their decision-making, they
want your group to tell them whether or not they should
consider a particular country as a sourcing option for their
merchandise (you will be given a product category), and