“Manufacturing is the dominant form of secondary activity and is evidence of economic advancement beyond the subsistence level. Location theories are based on simplifying assumptions about fixed and variable costs of production and distribution, including costs of raw materials, power, labor, market accessibility, and transportation. … The most advanced countries … are undergoing deindustrialization as newly industrializing countries with more favorable cost structures compete for markets” (Getis et al. 2009: 377-378).
Garments are a basic human necessity and were handmade since the beginning of humanity. The clothing industry, which makes most of the garments we use today, is regarded as the first one to become global. In fact, this is considered the most geographically dispersed industry (globalized). This assertion can be easily proved by looking at the tags with the origin of the items purchased in local malls in March 2022 (“Made in” column) and the location of the companies’ headquarters that made these items (Table # 1).
Table # 1: Garments purchased in Miami, FL malls (March 2022)
Garment
Made in
Company
Company Headquarters
Pant
Bangladesh
Tommy Hilfiger
The Netherlands
Pant
India
Levi’s
USA
Pant
Cambodia
Old Navy
USA
Shirt
China
Gap
USA
Shirt
Dominican Republic
Dockers
USA
Shirt
Bangladesh
Banana Republic
USA
T-shirt
Peru
Life is Good
USA
T-shirt
Indonesia
Adidas
Germany
Coat
Bangladesh
H&M
Sweden
Coat
Morocco
Zara
Spain
Considering the information included in Table # 1, answer the following questions using key definitions related to this this topic and included in our course textbook (Getis et al. 2009). These include but are not limited to the following terms: de-industrialization, transnational corporations, outsourcing, offshoring, locational factors, etc.
1. Where were these garments made? Where are the headquarters of the companies that made them located? What are the similarities and differences of these countries (producing countries vs countries were company headquarters are located)?
2. Why are these garments made in these countries? or, in other words, What locational factors determine the production of garments in these countries? Explain.
3. Why can we say that the clothing industry is of a global nature? Explain.
Your answer must reflect knowledge of the topic applying the concepts learned in our course, and, most importantly, using your own words. It is not allowed to work in teams. Separate each answer clearly using titles/numbers for each question. Explain your answer in NO less than 500 words and no more than 800 words. Essays that are less than 500 words in total will lose points. The word count does not include your name, PID, the title of your essay, or if you copy the question posed in your work. Your work must also include at-least a one-page image (picture) related to the examples provided, including a title (top center of the picture) and a reference of the source where we can find this information, both in your essay (bottom of the picture) and in your bibliography page.
In case you use an external source, you must cite this/these source/s in the text, using parenthesis at the end of the sentence using quotation marks if it is a direct quote, include the last name/s of the authors/s, year of publication and the page number (i.e., Neumann 2013: 63). If you are using an external source writing this information in your own words, then you must cite at the end of the sentence, using parenthesis, the last name/s of the author/s and the year of publication (i.e., Neumann and Price 2013). All sources cited in your essay must also be included in a separate page on a Bibliography/Reference section at the end of your essay. See note at the end regarding plagiarism issues.
You must post your answer to these questions by uploading your work before the deadline to receive full credit.
NOTE: You must submit your work in a word document and this must be formatted according to the required Technical Aspects described in the course syllabus: a) 12-point font (Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, or Book Antiqua); one-inch margins all around; double-spaced; and, number the pages. Any written assignment that does not include all the required technical aspects will receive a 10-point deduction in their grade.
Bibliography
Getis, A., Getis, J. and J. Fellmann. 2009. Introduction to geography. New York: McGraw Hill.
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