Co-operation Activities of Middle-Sized Retailers and Manufacturers in the Fashion Industry—A Look at Competences, Potentials, Realization and Success Factors in Value Chain Activities

Abstract

This paper analyses co-operation from the perspective of 98 traditional fashion retailers and 104 manufacturers. Based on specific approaches, one purpose was to evaluate how market and supply chain oriented value chain activities are viewed in the context of co-operation, particularly in terms of own competence, perceived potential for co-operation, and the level of co-operation achieved. We postulated that retailers and manufacturers see co-operation potentials in value chain activities with both low and high levels of own competence, and that the co-operation potentials identified and the co-operation levels achieved also may differ. A second purpose addresses the relation between the co-operation levels achieved in the value chain activities and the degree of success in turnover, costs, and time-to- market.