Managing and Negotiating: Approaches to Quality Work in Clothing and Textiles Companies

Abstract

This qualitative study examines how various clothing companies approach quality and integrate it in their strategy and operations. It highlights the work required for reaching and maintaining a certain level of quality. The paper synthetizes these various approaches toward quality, with an aim to contribute to enhancing clothing longevity and other sustainable practices. The study is based on 15 semi-structured interviews with industry experts from the field of clothing and textiles, and analyzed by thematic analysis. It identifies the multilayered quality work that companies do on different core areas of business practice. The study shows how companies have to manage several aspects simultaneously in their quality related work, and negotiate and compromise between different activities to implement the quality level they are aiming for. The paper aims to show the different ideas regarding quality on the strategic level and to highlight their importance as the basis of quality work for clothing and textile companies. It is significant to define and align the company’s core values with the overall strategy and operations to best support the quality work and also enhance clothing longevity.