Explore the export performance of textiles and apparel "made in the USA": a firm level analysis

Abstract

As the marketplace for textiles and apparel (T&A) becomes ever more global, U.S. T&A firms are increasingly engaged in export. Statistics show that the value of U.S. T&A exports totaled $23.5 billion in 2018, up nearly 20% from ten years ago. This study explores the export behaviors of U.S. T&A manufacturers and related affecting factors at a micro firm-level. Based on a logistic regression analysis of 122 U.S. T&A manufacturers collected from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) “Made in the USA” database, the study finds that the product category and the size of the firm were both statistically significant factors that affected a U.S. T&A manufacturer's likelihood of engaging in exports. The result of contingency analysis also shows that Western Hemisphere was a preferred export destination for U.S. T&A manufacturers than other regions in the world. The findings of the study significantly enhanced our understanding of the export behaviors of U.S. T&A manufacturers and the state of the U.S. T&A industry in today’s global economy. ☐ Keywords: Made in the USA; textile and apparel; export behaviors; Western Hemisphere