Determinants of firm competitiveness: case of the Turkish textile and apparel industry

This article explores different determinants of competitiveness in the booming textile and apparel industry of Turkey. By using focus groups, survey data, and explanatory factor analysis, we have identified 27 competitive items grouped into eight constructs. According to Turkish managers, the competitiveness of textile and apparel firm is heavily determined by product differentiation, efforts across foreign markets, and availability of government incentives. In contrast to existing studies, we find little evidence that networking in different forms, such as close relationship politicians and state employees, clustering, and participating in the industry associations, have a major impact on a firm competitiveness.