Textile industry clusters: evolutionary and comparative analysis in the world, Brazil and the State of Minas Gerais

Abstract

The objective of this article is to demonstrate the evolutionary and comparative analysis of textile industry clusters in the world, in Brazil and in the state of Minas Gerais, pointing to the latter, the importance for the region, the strengths/weaknesses and their differentials. In section two, the methodological procedures are presented, then the theoretical reference on clusters. In section four presents the evolutionary and comparative analysis in the world, in Brazil and in the State of Minas Gerais. Finally, section five presents the final considerations that include and detail the contribution achieved. For the theoretical basis of this work, a survey was made in the following databases: Scopus (Elsevier), Materials Science & Engineering Database, Sage Publications (CrossRef), OneFile (GALE), SpringerLink, Emerald Insigth, Taylor & Francis Online were used to deepen the analysis of the information. Four pillars support the theoretical framework of this research.

Keywords:

• Cluster
• textile industry
• local productive arrangements (LPA)
• industrial district
• regional development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 According to MDIC (2014), the “Local Productive Arrangements (LPAs) are agglomerations of companies, located in the same territory, which have productive specialization and maintain links of articulation, interaction, cooperation and learning among themselves and with other local actors, such as: government, business associations, credit institutions, education and research. ”

2 Legge Reguzzoni – Versace, April 2010 (Law 55/2010), which establishes new rules under a labeling system (Made in Italy) and mandatory traceability in the textile, leather and footwear sector to guarantee the quality of products and protection for companies.

3 Marshall wrote a detailed description of what he called industrial districts – providing a model for contemporary ‘technology parks’ such as Silicon Valley (Akoorie, 2011).

4 The drop in real household income in times of recession causes other family members to enter the paid labor market, with the aim of keeping the family's consumption level unchanged. In view of the fact that men have a closer connection with the labor market, the additional worker effect has been measured primarily by the temporary entry of married women – whose husbands previously employed, become unemployed – into the labor force. The literature recognizes the significance of this effect, although, apparently, its magnitude is small in developed countries (Gonzaga & Reis, 2011).

5 Automatic mechanism suspends operations of the Exchange when there is great instability in the financial market. In Brazil, when the stock market falls 10%, it is paralyzed for 30 min. After this interval, business is reopened and the fall limit is now 15%. If the low reaches 15%, the Exchange stops again, now for an hour. After that period, operations are resumed and the downside limit increases to 20%. If the Ibovespa falls 20%, the markets may be interrupted for any period defined by the Stock Exchange (BOVESPA, 2016).