World Textile Industry

The textiles industry is a major sector in the world economy and has been changing over the last 200 years. There are many factors that have influenced this change, including demand, related and supporting industries, firm strategy, structure and national rivalry. The competitive advantage of countries in the textiles industry has shifted over time, with countries becoming more or less competitive based on different factors. This book provides an international perspective on the competitive forces that dominate the textiles industry and how they are likely to change in the future.

This work analyzes the competitive forces which dominate this major sector and traces how the nature of competition has evolved during the last 200 years. Through an analysis of key factors, including demand, related and supporting industries, firm strategy, structure and national rivalry, chance and government policy, the author explains how and why the locus of competitive advantage in textiles and apparel has moved from country to country, particularly in the period since 1945. Drawing on Porter's recent work on the competitive advantage of nations, a new framework of analysis is developed with which to assess the forces likely to influence the direction of the textiles industry in the long era. Presenting an international perspective which encompasses the textile complexes of the UK, continental Europe, the USA, Japan and the emerging economies of Asia, this title provides an insight into one of the major industries of the world.