Development of a conceptual framework relating to ready-to-wear clothing for Ghanaian women for manufacturing strategies

Adu-Boakye, Stella (2012) Development of a conceptual framework relating to ready-to-wear clothing for Ghanaian women for manufacturing strategies. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

In recent years there has been a remarkable increase in anthropometric surveys taking place worldwide for development of sizing systems. It has been acknowledged that the extent to which one sizing system may be applied to different populations is limited due to the variability of body shapes and sizes. Various countries have developed their own sizing systems in order to reduce problems associated with clothing sizes and fit. This study established that no official anthropometric survey has been conducted in Ghana. The absence of any publication of a national sizing system, intended for clothing purposes has resulted in the need for a sizing system that will relate to Ghanaian women and satisfy their different body shapes. This study was undertaken to develop a conceptual framework to facilitate the understanding of clothing sizes, body shapes and manufacturing strategies for the production of ready-to-wear for Ghanaian women aged between of 16-35 years. A mixed approach to research methods was adopted which incorporated interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires and anthropometric survey to achieve the aims of the research after an extensive review of literature. The grounded theory approach was used to analyse the qualitative data to ascertain key issues related to sizing systems, body shapes and manufacturing strategies. Data was obtained from clothing manufacturers, stakeholders and consumers in Ghana using non-probability purposive sampling methods. Twenty clothing manufacturers and four stakeholders were interviewed. Four focus groups were formed for the discussions and 400 questionnaires were administered to consumers. Eight hundred and forty two Ghanaian women aged between 16-35 years were measured using the manual body measurement procedures. A quantitative approach using correlation and one-way ANOVA programmes from the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to determine the relationships among the variables and to obtain statistical information for the development of the sizing system. The grounded theory using an inductive approach was used to analyse the qualitative data from the interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of this study have implications for manufacturing strategy for clothing manufacturers for the Ghanaian market. A conceptual framework was developed to help facilitate the understanding of clothing sizes, body shape and manufacturing strategy for the production of ready-to-wear clothing. The anthropometric survey helped to develop a size chart for Ghanaian women aged between 16-35 years in order to improve well fitted and quality garments to satisfy consumer clothing needs. This study also established significant relationships between body shape, body cathexis and clothing. It contributes greatly to knowledge by providing a detailed procedure involved in developing a research based anthropometric, which will serve as the basis for other future national anthropometric surveys for men and children in Ghana as well as West Africa. This study also provides original baseline data for future research on body shape and body cathexis on Ghanaian women of all ages.