UDs FIBER Grant A Title VI Grant in

UD’s FIBER Grant: A Title VI Grant in Action for the Industry Hye-Shin Kim, Ph. D Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies Title VI 50 th Anniversary Conference • March 19 -21, 2009 • Washington, D. C.

The Fashion International Business Education Response (FIBER) project seeks to enhance international business education within the apparel design and fashion merchandising curricula at the University of Delaware and support the business community to engage in international business. Project Director: Hye-Shin Kim Co-Project Directors: Marsha Dickson and Sharron Lennon Project Manager: George Irvine Assessment and Evaluation Specialist: Kathy Pusecker Funded by the U. S. Department of Education, Business and International Education Program, 2007 -2009. 1

Examples of FIBER Project Partners Business Trade • Liz Claiborne • Walter Wilhelm Associates, LLC • Nordstrom • World Trade Center Delaware • VESTEX Commission, Guatemala • The Fashion Group International • National Retail Federation • American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) • China Center for Economic Research and Beijing International MBA, Peking University Educational • Textile Science and Technology Department, Kasetsart University, Thailand • University of Rome – La Sapienza 2

Hong Kong Thailand India Guatemala Italy China 3

Faculty Development, Travel, and Research International Curriculum and Student Development International Learning Module Study Abroad and Service Learning Professional and Business Community Outreach Online FIBER Journal FIBERcast 4

Strengthen partnership for collaboration Visit business sites Conduct research for modules Faculty Development and International Travel Experience people and culture Participate in academic and industry conference 5

FIBER International Learning Modules Global Product Development, Sourcing, and Manufacturing Global Consumers and Retailing Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Global Business • Global Product Development • Global Sourcing and Manufacturing • Global Consumers • Global Retailing • Social Responsibility in Global Business • Sustainability in Global Business How to Conduct Business • Cross Cultural Business Communication • Conducting Business with Foreign Partners: The Nuts and Globally Bolts 6

Fashion International Business Education Learning Goals International Knowledge and Analysis • Demonstrate knowledge of global issues, processes, trends, and systems impacting the apparel manufacturing and retail industries. • Understand how changes in the global environment (i. e. , cultural, social, economic, technological, and political factors) impact product development/design, sourcing and distribution. • Understand how the apparel and textile industries operate in different societies in the world economy. • Analyze how the textile and apparel industries in various regions of the world work collaboratively and in competition. • Analyze how country differences can impact a company’s global strategies. • Understand the requirements and challenges of managing human resources in the international textile and apparel industries. • Understand consumers in global and comparative contexts. • Analyze the impacts and ethical aspects of decisions and policies on the apparel manufacturing and retailing industry, businesses, workers, consumers, and the environment. International Skills • Develop strategies to adapt to the current and changing global business environment. • Formulate strategies appropriate for competing in different countries. • Apply knowledge, diverse cultural frames of reference, and alternate perspectives to solve open ended problems related to global product development, sourcing, retailing, and consumer behavior. • Practice sensitivity, adaptability, and flexibility in international settings. • Display ability to work cooperatively and in a team with diverse people. • Communicate effectively (visually, verbally, and in writing) with people of diverse backgrounds and in international settings. 7

Impact of Learning Modules on Curriculum Global Product Development Examines development of apparel products from conception through line planning and technical design, including fit and quality specifications. Understand varied models that exist for collaborating and communicating with overseas manufacturers. FASH 333 Fashion Forecasting and Design Introduction to trend research, presentation, and collection design for targeted markets. Utilizes advanced techniques in computer graphics and web development for fashion design, emphasizing concept development, visualization, storyboard layout, and design presentation. 8

Impact of Learning Modules on Curriculum Global Sourcing and Manufacturing Examines working with foreign manufacturers and international sourcing opportunities in the five countries for various apparel and related products. Conducting Business with Foreign Partners: The Nuts and Bolts Examines the role of strategic alliance and joint ventures in conducting business globally. The emphasis would be on how to manage alliances and joint ventures in order to leverage synergy between foreign and local partners, and minimize the associated risks. FASH 455 Textiles and Apparel in the Global Economy Overview of the global textile and apparel industries. Examines the United States textile complex and the United States market within an international context. 9

Impact of Learning Modules on Curriculum Global Consumers Examines consumer similarities and differences across countries and cultures. Implications of such differences and similarities for consumption within the global marketplace will be considered. Cultural values and their relationship to consumption will be covered. Global Retailing Evaluates several countries’ desirability for retail development by U. S. firms. Factors to consider include risk, market attractiveness, and market saturation. The effects of culture on how business is conducted will also be investigated. Failures in international expansion will be considered. FASH 218 Fashion Merchandising Introduction to fashion merchandising by examining the fundamental concepts and strategies related to merchandising and retailing of fashion and apparel products. Current practices and trends in the fashion industry are examined. 10

Impact of Learning Modules on Curriculum Social Responsibility in Global Business Examines the role of sourcing and product development staff in determining a factory's working conditions and systems for compliance to labor standards before approving production at the factory. A case study revealing best practices from one brandname apparel manufacturer is utilized. Sustainability in Global Business Focuses on the development of sustainable practices, products, and outcomes within global business. This includes sustaining and improving the well being of people, the implementation of innovative business processes that enhance sustainability, and creative design toward environmental sustainability. FASH 455 Textiles and Apparel in the Global Economy Overview of the global textile and apparel industries. Examines the United States textile complex and the United States market within an international context. 11

Impact of Learning Modules on Curriculum Cross Cultural Business Communication FASH 430 Apparel Brand Management & Marketing Examines verbal and nonverbal communication skills, business negotiations skills, appearance management, and how to adapt to cultural customs of countries around the world. A study of the significance of brand management for fashion companies as a competitive strategy for building sales and customer base. Introduction to the essential elements of branding, the course covers major activities of brand management and marketing with a focus on apparel firms. Apparel branding examined in global context due to the global nature of industry and its impact on consumers around the world. 12

Courses proposed and revised with international learning goals FASH 210 Seminar on fashion and sustainability (new) FASH 355 International fashion consumers and retailers (new) FASH 420 Assortment planning, buying, and sourcing (revised) FASH 455 Global Apparel Textile Trade and Sourcing (revised) 13

Study Abroad and Service Learning Study Abroad Service Learning • Significantly revise study China abroad program (to be offered Winter 2010) • Develop International Internship program in Hong Kong (to be offered Summer 2010). • UD student, Rita Chang, worked on a service learning project in partnership with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to create an educational program focused on 1) expanding awareness among industry professionals working for apparel brands and retailers about the impact their decisions and actions have on workers who make their products and others in their value chains, and 2) changing behaviors of the employees so that they are more supportive of corporate goals for compliance and social responsibility, as well as commercial goals. 14

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International FIBERcast Programs • Topics related to “The Globalization of the Apparel Manufacturing and Retailing Industry – Leveraging International Business Partnerships for Success” • Four podcasts programs • Audience: SME apparel firms, academics and students Rationale for FIBERcast • Current economic conditions restrict travel and time • Leverage large readership of FIBER journal. 26

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FIBER PROJECT ASSESSMENT 29

FIBER Project Activity Faculty Development, Research, and Travel Faculty Development Faculty Research, and Travel Project Activity Achievements International Curriculum and Student Development International Learning Module Study Abroad and Service Learning Apparel Manufacturing and Retailing Industry Outreach On-line FIBER Journal On-line FIBERcast Increase international business knowledge and expertise. Disseminate knowledge to students, faculty, and businesses. Conduct research on issues in the global apparel manufacturing and retailing industry. Local and foreign partnerships with government, business and educational organizations. Increase student knowledge in the five key countries. Develop student skills to analyze an international bus. situation and develop effective strategies. Prepare students to work within an international context. Students become of aware of and address larger societal problems or needs. Facilitate internationalization of SME apparel businesses. Provide current news and information related to international business. Strengthen linkages with private-sector organizations or trade associations. Criteria Data Collection Method Examples Number of faculty trained. Number of faculty traveled. Quantity and quality activities. Effectiveness of development activities to prepare faculty for educational and business outreach activities. Number of international partners. Quality of international partnerships. Pre/post faculty survey Faculty reports Survey administered to partners External evaluator report Number of students and courses impacted the learning modules. Ability of learning modules to satisfy international business learning in Exhibit 3. Three study abroad and service learning programs offered. Number of students who participated in study abroad and service learning programs. Ability of study abroad and service learning programs to satisfy international business learning goals as outlined in Exhibit 3. Creation of e-portfolio. Number of attendees in the short course program. Number of short course seminars offered. Effective assistance to SME apparel firms and other professionals. Number of members who subscribe to the FIBER Journal. Effective collaboration with privatesector organizations and trade associations. Pre/post CFIS student survey (see Appendix) Student evaluation Student projects Service learning survey (see Appendix) Faculty reports Industry partner feedback External evaluator report Rubric Scoring of e-portfolio Diversity Perspective Index Pre/post (see Appendix) Participant evaluation of FIBERcast Survey administered to partners Number subscriptions to on-line journal and number of hits to website On-line survey administered to FIBER Journal subscribers about usefulness and accessibility of information External evaluator report End of project survey to FIBERcast participants and on-line journal 30 subscribers