Adoption of Information Technology by Leading Korean Apparel Companies

Abstract

This study was performed to assess the use and needs of information technology in Korean apparel companies. The researchers surveyed eight leading Korean apparel companies in September 2002. The results show that most of the companies perceived that sales and distribution departments needed to adopt information technology in advance. All of the subjects used servers and had internal network systems. External network systems were starting to be utilized. Companies with existing external network systems communicated closely with their contractors and suppliers. Most companies claimed that EDI systems and business processes should be standardized before adopting information technology for the apparel industry; and they perceived that the IT infrastructure is useful for sharing information on working production processes between apparel manufacturer's headquarters and sewing contractors. This study shows that the adoption of IT in Korean apparel industry is not matured yet, but is progressing.