Textile and Apparel Management electronic theses and dissertations (MU)
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The items in this collection are the theses and dissertations written by students of the Department of Textile and Apparel Management. Some items may be viewed only by members of the University of Missouri System and/or University of Missouri-Columbia. Click on one of the browse buttons above for a complete listing of the works.
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Item Embracing the shift : change message, employee psychological capital, and digital readiness to in-store automation technology in the fashion retail context(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2025) Sun, Xun; Ha-Brookshire, JungThe rapid evolution of in-store automation technology (ISAT) in the fashion retail industry challenges fashion retail frontline employees (FLEs) to adapt to these changes. Utilizing the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model, change readiness theory, and psychological capital theory, this study investigated how the messages about change (change messages, e.g., digital change appropriateness, digital-oriented organizational learning, quality of change communication, digital leadership support) affect FLEs' tri-dimensional digital readiness (i.e., cognitive, intentional, and emotional readiness). The moderating role of digital capability was also explored. Data were collected in spring 2025 through the Prolific platform from the U.S. fashion FLEs who are currently working with ISAT and have experienced the changes brought by the ISAT. A total of 419 responses were analyzed using the PLE-SEM method. The results indicated significant positive relationships between four change messages and FLEs' psychological capital. Furthermore, this study's results confirmed the significant positive relationship between FLEs' psychological capital and their tri-dimensional digital readiness. The findings underscored the important moderating role of digital capability in the relationship between FLEs' psychological capital and their cognitive readiness. This research contributes to understanding the S-O-R mechanism and provides practical insights to enhance FLEs' digital readiness in the face of evolving retail technologies.Item Economic class and Indonesian mothers' self-discrepancy in counterfeit children's apparel consumption(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2025) Putra, Angga Ranggana; Kopot, CarolineThis study examines the influence of mothers' actual-ideal self-discrepancy on counterfeit children's apparel brands' purchase intention. In addition, this study also aims to investigate the mediation effect of consumer xenocentrism and perceived social value moderated by product accessibility on the relationship between actual-ideal selfdiscrepancy and purchase intention of counterfeit children's apparel brands. This study also confirmed whether the purchase intention of counterfeit children is higher in mothers from the lower-middle income class than mothers from the higher-middle income class. Guided by several theories, such as self-discrepancy theory, theory of consumption value, extended-self theory, and system justification theory, this study contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of consumer behavior in global south. Using partial least square-structural equation modeling, this study found that mothers' actualideal self discrepancy does not significantly positively influence purchase intention of counterfeit children's apparel brands. However, when mediated by consumer xenocentrism and perceived social value, the relationship between actual-ideal selfdiscrepancy and purchase intention of counterfeit children's apparel brands became significantly positive. Thus, mediation effect of those variables influenced the relationship. However, the moderation effect did not signicifanly influence purchase intention. In addition, multigroup analysis were also conducted and it was found mixed different between two groups. This study is important in understanding how intergenerational consumption effect on counterfeit consumption. Study limitation and future recommendation has provided.Item "The customer has all of the answers and all of the questions" : an investigation of the size-inclusive apparel product development process for U.S. women's clothing through a design thinking lens(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2025) Ipaye, Halimat Iris Omolara; McBee-Black, Kerri; Morris, KristenThe purpose of this study is to explore and document the apparel product development process of firms producing and selling size-inclusive apparel for women in the United States. Despite the significant growth of the U.S. women's apparel market, many consumers at the higher and lower ends of the sizing spectrum continue to face challenges in finding well-fitting and stylish clothing. This research examines how size-inclusive apparel firms integrate design thinking principles into their product development processes, identifying both alignments and deviations from traditional design thinking frameworks. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyze qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews with professionals in the size-inclusive apparel industry. Findings indicate that iteration and user empathy play a crucial role in the size-inclusive apparel product development (SIAPD) process, but unlike conventional design thinking, SIAPD requires a more nuanced, body-centered approach. Additionally, the study identifies the role of internal advocates in driving size inclusivity initiatives, highlighting the importance of organizational commitment to size inclusivity. The study also explores how firms employ multiple fit models and pattern blocks to refine garment fit and enhance consumer satisfaction. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of inclusive design and offer implications for apparel brands, policymakers, and researchers looking to advance size inclusivity in apparel. This research extends theoretical discussions on design thinking by demonstrating how it is adapted within the apparel industry to meet the needs of historically underserved consumers.Item A case study to develop an adaptive ski jacket for alpine recreational sit skier -- user-centered design method(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024) Wu, Jia; Zhao, Li; McBee-Black, KerriThis study aims to develop an adaptive ski jacket tailored for alpine recreational sit skiers through a user-centered design approach. The research integrates 3D body scanning and virtual simulation to tailor designs that address the unique needs of sit skiers. Employing case study and qualitative interview research methods, data was collected from a series of semi-structured interviews and observations of a case study participant and six qualitative interview participants, enabling an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the physical and social-psychological apparel comfort requirements. Key findings suggest that the integration of a user-centered design framework, clothing comfort model, and 3D technologies significantly enhances the fit, comfort, and functionality of the ski jacket, contributing positively to the mobility and overall skiing experience of sit skiers. This research contributes to the fields of fashion design and adaptive clothing by demonstrating how advanced technology and a deep understanding of user needs lead to more effective apparel solutions for people with disabilities. It also proposes recommendations for future research and potential industry applications, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in activewear design.Item The impact of perceived design similarity and consumers' IPR morality on their expected utility of legally copied products(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024) Kim, Seong Eun; Ha-Brookshire, JungDesign appropriation in the fashion industry often breaches original creators' intellectual property rights (IPRs). Due to inadequate legal protection under current U.S. IPR law, many copiers can legally produce and sell similar designs, known as legally copied products (LCPs). Despite being legally sold, consumers' perceptions of LCPs vary based on their IPR morality. Some consumers may prioritize the design similarities between LCPs and original designs when evaluating the perceived value of LCPs. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how consumers perceive the utility of LCPs and how much they are willing to purchase LCPs through the lens of decision theory in the philosophy literature, utilizing the expected utility concept. This study collected 314 U.S. female consumers who were over 18 and conducted partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study findings showed that the participants' IPR morality could weaken the positive relationship between the perceived social value and low-end LCP purchase intention. The study also found that when the participants perceived design similarities at more than a moderate level, the relationship between the perceived quality and purchase intention was positively amplified. These results have several theoretical and managerial implications. Most important to the existing literature and fashion industry, this study showed that consumers' IPR morality could shape or reshape their low-end LCP purchasing decision-making mechanisms by lowering the expected utility of LCPs.