A value‐added approach to investigate the performance of Hong Kong's clothing manufacturing industry

This paper examines the performance in value‐added terms of the local clothing manufacturing industry. A longitudinal study was carried out by means of analysing industry production data over a period of ten years. Results seemed not to support the proposition that the industry had shifted to focus on higher value‐added production so as to improve its productivity. On the contrary, there was a strong indication that a gradual decay of productivity in value‐added terms had occurred. The paper concluded with suggesting a few probable reasons for the apparent reduction in value‐added productivity of the industry and recommendations for further research in related areas.