Opportunities for Cooperation Between Educators and Apparel and Textile Trade Associations

Abstract

Reaching out to business and industry and securing outside sources of research support might be satisfied through relationships with individual firms and/or apparel and textile trade associations (ATTAs). This study explores the nature of ATTAs and examines the potential for greater involvement between apparel and textile educators and ATTAs. An interview schedule was administered by telephone to 99 ATTA executives. Data were analyzed with content analysis and simple summary statistics. Every element of the apparel and textile industry was represented by one or more trade associations. Seventy-six ATTA executives indicated they would be willing to work with apparel and textile educators while only 45 reported previously working with a small number of apparel and textile educators. Executives who were unwilling to cooperate with educators cited previous experiences and poorly prepared students. Many ATTA executives were unaware of apparel and textile programs and emphasized that interactions between industry and education should be mutually beneficial.