Prospects for the Hong Kong Textile and Clothing Industries in the 1990s

Abstract

This paper addresses some of the issues which underlay the pattern of evolution of the Hong Kong textile and clothing industries in the past and are likely to continue to play a role in shaping the industries' future. These issues include the changing market characteristics, organisational characteristics, technological development, labour-supply situation, and competitive behaviour within the global context. The industries' textile sectors are segregating in view of increasingly stringent government control on environmental pollution, rising operational costs, and the shadow of 1997. The clothing sector, though partially affected by the declining support of the textile sector, is more resilient in the face of adverse environmental conditions. In the view of the author, the popularity of speed sourcing among U.S. merchandise buyers and the practice of increasing globalised sourcing adopted by the Japanese due to their rising exchange rate and by E.C. countries that want to take the first-mover advantage of the Single European Market will bring more benefits than ever before to the Hong Kong clothing sector. In order to reap the benefits of these opportunities, clothing firms need to revise their traditional approach to workplace organisation, work attitudes, and customer service and to develop further strengths as flexible manufacturers, regional sourcing experts, and global brand suppliers. The first part of this paper provides a brief review of the facts and figures of the industries. The remainder examines the changing nature of the Hong Kong industrial environment and the impact of the changing marketing environment upon clothing suppliers' strategic options.

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