THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING VIRTUAL METHODS TO OBTAIN THE GARMENT PROTOTYPE (2D/3D AND 3D/2D)

With the progress and development of science and technology, virtual reality technology is becoming more and more present, its application in digital creations is becoming more and more widespread. Everything the user does is calculated by the computer and has real-time feedback, making this virtual environment more realistic and giving the user an immersive experience. This technology integrates the latest developments in computer science, computer simulation, artificial intelligence, recognition, display and online parallel processing. Virtual prototyping offers a new way to explore the design and subsequent changes that need to be made to the product before it is manufactured in larger quantities or put into production. The development of new product models using virtual tools requires a certain level of training of the designer; he/she must have skills in understanding and using the specific tools for CAD systems (2D and 3D) and technical knowledge regarding the ways of conceptual product development. This paper presents the methodology of the virtual development process for an apparel product model, using the tools of the 2D and 3D digital environments. The first solution is to design the 2D patterns of the components of an apparel product, followed by a 3D simulation that verifies the aforementioned solution. The second solution is to design the 3D components using the tools of the 3D digital environment (the software used is Clo3D) and then extract the 2D parts required for the classical manufacturing process.

Significance of operational capabilities of suppliers on the front-end decision making in apparel product innovation in Sri Lanka

Purpose The suppliers are recognized as important external sources who can significantly contribute by working together with the buyer during the innovation process. Operational capabilities of suppliers can be one of the considerable factors when selecting them to participate in the activities at the front-end of innovation. However, proper understanding of the influence of operational capabilities of suppliers on front-end decision-making in apparel product innovation is still very limited particularly in the context of the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence of operational capabilities of suppliers on the front-end decision making in apparel product innovation in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach Both semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey were used as data collection techniques. Six senior managers for the interviews and 60 participants for the questionnaire were randomly selected. All those who participated in interviews and the questionnaire respondents have been involved in the front-end of innovation in different apparel manufacturing organizations in Sri Lanka. Findings The results indicated that the operational capabilities of suppliers had a direct positive influence on front-end decision-making, and the suppliers’ production flexibility was found to be the most influential. Further, the results highlighted that 27.3% of the front-end decisions associated with apparel product innovation in Sri Lanka were influenced by the factors governing operational capabilities of suppliers. Originality/value The findings of the research will be beneficial for both academia and industry. The findings will be useful to extend the current understanding and make a noteworthy contribution to this topic and to provide useful and practical guidance to material suppliers and supporting industries who work with Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing.

Modeling Advertising Practices for Product Involvement and Consumer Impulsivity in Branded Apparel: A Case Study of Indian Consumers

The exponential growth of advertising in enhancing consumer impulsivity has drawn the interest of many researchers to explore the various dimensions of advertising and its effective modeling. The branded apparel product market has grown significantly, a large number of competitors have entered into the market with variant quality, and there are a number of attractive advertising practices. The main aim of this study was to analyze the advertising practices and their relationship with consumer product involvement and the impulsive buying behavior of consumers in branded apparel in India. In a survey of 445 Indian customers, the study indicated that advertising practices significantly affect consumer involvement in branded apparel products and enhance their impulsivity toward products. The study also indicated that the level of consumer involvement in the branded apparel product significantly mediates the relationship between advertising practices and consumer impulsive buying behavior. Effective advertising practices will help companies to enhance consumer involvement that will enable branded apparel companies in enhancing consumer impulsiveness toward products. Some of the managerial implications, limitations, and scope of future research are also presented in the study.

Are negative and positive reviews regarding apparel fit influential?

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to explore how valenced fit reviews affect the consumer decision-making process during online apparel shopping.Design/methodology/approachA single factor (valence of fit review) within-subject experimental design was employed to examine how the valenced fit review (negative vs positive) affects the consumer online purchase decision process. A mock website was created to simulate the online shopping environment through four steps for developing a stimulus website for the main study. The data were analyzed using repeated multivariate analysis of variance and structural equation modeling.FindingsA total of 418 female consumers completed an online self-administrated survey. Results showed that positive fit review was more compelling than negative fit review for female consumers when they like the apparel product. Two aspects of information credibility (review and site credibility) and confidence in purchase decision evoked by both fit reviews and overall product information were significant determinants of the consumer purchase decision process in increasing consumers’ future purchase intentions through attitude to the online retailer.Originality/valueThe current study was an attempt to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the crucial role of fit reviews in apparel product purchase decisions in an online context. This study confirmed the type of fit reviews that would be influential on female consumers’ online purchase decision-making process for apparel products when they liked the apparel product, supporting positive confirmation bias from the information processing point of view. This study contributed to the importance of the two concepts (i.e. credibility and confidence in the purchase decision) in online information processing and purchase decision-making process.