Skip to main content
Log in

Deshi Dosh: the case on integration of ten rivals in the fashion industry of Bangladesh

  • Case Study
  • Published:
DECISION Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bangladesh, a developing nation in South Asia, has been striving to achieve self-containment through the readymade garments sector for the last three decades. Currently, it is one of the leading readymade garments exporters of the world. However, apart from producing export quality garment products, the country has been working for promoting and sustaining the local culture and tradition through the attires of its people. Focusing on culture and tradition in the center of fashion, a number of Bangladeshi fashion houses started a revolutionary journey known as ‘Deshi Dosh.’ The main focus of the paper is to explore how a group of fashion houses operating under a unified corporate identity achieves competitive advantage in the developing country context. Theoretically, the concepts of social networks and competitive advantage have been incorporated to unfold the context. The paper finds that social ties embedded in competitors ties have led to the creation of competitive advantage in the fashion industry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarong (2013) Aarong flagship outlet. http://www.aarong.com/. Accessed 5 Apr 2014

  • Adam S (1776) Adam Smith and the wealth of nations. J Law Econ 19(3). In: Hutchison T (ed) The revolution in social thought. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 507–528

  • Ahmed MU (1999) Development of small-scale industries in Bangladesh in the new millennium: challenges and opportunities. Asian Affairs 21(1):4

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed JU (2007) Research issues in case study method: debates and comments. AIUB J Bus Econ (AJBE) 6(2):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed JU, Chowdhury MHK, Ferdous MM, Uddin MJ (2014) Sadakalo: marketing of traditional fashion in the modern fashion industry. Vision 18(2):125–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Akçomak IS, Weel B (2008) Social capital, innovation and growth: evidence from Europe. Discussion Paper No. 3341. IZA, Bonn

  • Amader Kotha (2012) Deshal—where creativity starts, August 25. http://amaderkotha.com.bd/2012/08/25/deshal-where-creativity-starts. Accessed 20 Dec 2013

  • Amader Kotha (2012) Sadakalo—the place with a difference, September 8. http://amaderkotha.com.bd/2012/09/08/sada-kalo-the-place-with-a-difference. Accessed 20 Dec 2013

  • Amader Kotha (2013) Deshi Dosh—our local pride, August 23. http://amaderkotha.com.bd/2013/08/23/deshi-dosh-our-local-pride. Accessed 20 Feb 2014

  • Anderson JC, Narus JA (1991) Partnering as a focused market strategy. Calif Manag Rev 33(3):95–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azuma N, Fernie J (2003) Fashion in the globalized world and the role of virtual networked in intrinsic fashion design. J Fash Mark Manag 7(4):413–427

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker W (1990) Market networks and corporate behavior. Am J Sociol 96:589–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banglabox (2012) Anjan’s Eid collections. By Mahmud, Banglabox, October 17, 2012

  • Banglabox (2012) Kay Kraft’s victory day collections. By Mahmud, Banglabox, December 6, 2012

  • Bangladesh Handloom Board (2011) Background. Retrieved from http://www.bhb.gov.bd/

  • Bangladesh Textile Residency (2009) Prabartana, December 28, 2009. http://bangladeshtextileresidency.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/prabartana. Accessed 20 May 2014

  • Barney JB (1991) Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. J Manag 17:99–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett CA, Ghoshal S (1998) Beyond strategic planning to organization learning: lifeblood of the individualized corporation. Strateg Leadersh 26(1):34–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basu SN (2001) Tate O Rong. Bakshi Printers, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonoma TV (1985) Case research in marketing: opportunities, problems, and a process. J Mark Res 22(2):199–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandenburger AM, Nalebuff BJ (1996) Co-opetition: a revolutionary mindset that combines competition and cooperation in the marketplace. Harvard Business School Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Burt RS (1992) Structural holes: the social structure of competition. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Curran L (2009) The EU clothing market in 2008—opening the floodgates? J Fash Mark Manag 13(3):305–310

    Google Scholar 

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Shroddha’s Eid and Puja collection, Tuesday, October 1, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Kay Kraft’s Eid line, Tuesday, July 30, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Nogordola, Tuesday, July 23, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Revisiting taant with Rang, By Karishma Ameen, Tuesday, July 23, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Eid with Anjan’s, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Westrang—a new shade of Rang, By Raiha Ahsan, Tuesday, July 2, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Jatra: a unique treasure trove. By Mehereen Aziz, Life Style, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Bibiana’s “Malua” collection for Boishakh, Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2013) Go ‘deshi’ the Deshal way!, By Sabrina Haq & Mehereen Aziz, Tuesday, April 2, 2013

  • (The) Daily Star (2012) Puja with Rang. Star Life Style, 7(40), Tuesday, October 9, 2012

  • (The) Daily Star (2012) Bibiana Eid 2012. Star Life Style, 7(31), Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  • (The) Daily Star (2012) Neelambor: The Shibori Touch. Star Life Style, 7(29), Tuesday, July 17, 2012

  • (The) Daily Star (2011) Nogordola. Star Life Style, 6(43), Tuesday, November 1, 2011

  • (The) Daily Star (2011) The Bangladesh in Bangladeshi fashion. By Olinda Hassan, The Star: Stories Behind the News, 10(33), August 26, 2011

  • (The) Daily Star (2011) The hunt begins. Star Life Style, 6(6), Tuesday, February 8, 2011

  • (The) Daily Star (2010) Rang. Star Life Style, 5(35), Tuesday, August 31, 2010

  • (The) Daily Star (2009) Promoting Deshibrands. By Elita Karim, Star Weekend Magazine, 8(84), August 28, 2009

  • (The) Daily Star (2009) Power of ten, a boost to local handloom: Deshi Dosh makes its debut, Thursday, August 20, 2009

  • (The) Daily Star (2010) Boutiques cheery on Eid, By Md. Fazlur Rahman, Thursday, August 19, 2010

  • (The) Daily Star (2009) Khadi: reviving the heritage. By Tithi Farhana, Star Weekend Magazine, 8(72), June 5, 2009

  • (The) Daily Star (2008) Something for everyone. By Srabonti Narmeen Ali, Star Weekend Magazine, 7(21), May 23, 2008

  • (The) Daily Star (2007) Creating affordable trends. By Elita Karim, Star Weekend Magazine, 7(38), September 19, 2007

  • (The) Daily Star (2005) Dishy designs at Deshal. By Riyana, Star Life Style, 2(57), Tuesday, August 9, 2005

  • (The) Daily Star (2005) Prabartana: An idea of indigenous development. Star Weekend Magazine, 4(52), July 1, 2005

  • (The) Daily Star (2003) Kay Kraft: A decade of alternative fashion. By Imran H. Khan, Star Magazine, The Daily Star, 1(124), September 26, 2003

  • (The) Daily Star (2003) Third showroom of Banglar Mela in second successful year. Star Life Style, June 1, 2003

  • (The) Daily Sun (2012) Anjan’s: Traditional and trendy. By Baizid Haque Joarder, Groove, October 22, 2012

  • (The) Daily Sun (2012) Panjabi market puts on poor show. By Ahammad Parvej Khan, August 5, 2012

  • (The) Daily Sun (2012) Bibiana promoting tradition. By Tanishaa Arman, Groove, July 16, 2012

  • Dakhli M, De Clercq D (2004) Human capital, social capital, and innovation: a multi-country study. Entrep Reg Dev 16(2):107–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day GS (2000) Managing market relationships. J Acad Mark Sci 28(1):24–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denscombe M (1998) The good research guide for small-scale social research projects. Open University Press, Buckingham

    Google Scholar 

  • Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (2000) The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In: The Sage handbook of qualitative research, vol 2. Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp 1–28

  • Dhaka Calling (2009) Nogordola: a fashion house with a distinct image. A Monthly Tourist Guide, 7(9), June, 2009

  • Dhaka Calling (2010) ‘Deshi Dosh Top Ten Boutique bond’, A Monthly Tourist Guide, September 12, 2010

  • Dhaka Mirror (2011) Souvenir expo begins at Drik today, February 5, 2011

  • Dodgson M (1993) Organizational learning: a review of some literatures. Organization Studies 14(3):375–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dress GG, Shaw JD (2001) Voluntary turnover, social capital and organizational performance. Acad Manag Rev 26(3):446–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Easton G (1992) Learning from case studies. Prentice Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Elster J (1989) The cement of society: a study of social order. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • (The) Financial Express (2010) Sadakalo eyes overseas market, October 24, 2010

  • (The) Financial Express (2013) Deshi Dosh shopping outlet sets its eyes on European market, Sunday, February 10, 2013

  • Fylan F (2005) Chapter 6: semi-structured interviewing. In: Miles J, Gilbert P (eds) A handbook of research methods for clinical and health psychology. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gereffi G (2002) Outsourcing and changing patterns of international competition in the apparel commodity chain. Paper presented at the conference on responding to globalization: societies, groups, and individuals. Hotel Boulderado, Boulder, 4–7 April 2002. http://www.colorado.edu/IBS/PEC/gadconf/papers/gereffi.pdf

  • Gerring J (2007) Case study research: principles and practices. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh SK, Akter MS (2005) Handloom industry on the way of extinction: an empirical study over the pre-dominant factors. BRAC Univ J 2(2):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghoshal S, Bartlett C (1990) The multinational corporation as an inter-organizational network. Acad Manag Rev 15(4):603–625

    Google Scholar 

  • Gnyawali DR, Park BJR (2011) Co-opetition between giants: collaboration with competitors for technological innovation. Res Policy 40(5):650–663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter M (1982) The strength of weak ties: a network theory revisited. In: Marsden P, Lin N (eds) Social structure and network analysis. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp 105–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Grundström C, Wilkinson IF (2004) The role of personal networks in the development of industry standards: a case study of 3G mobile telephony. J Bus Ind Mark 19(4):283–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulf News (2001) Exquisite sarees illustrate best of Bangladesh, March 17, 2001

  • Hakim C (1987) Research design: strategies and choices in the design of social research. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamel G, Doz YL, Prahalad CK (1989) Collaborate with your competitors and win. Harvard Bus Rev 67(1):133–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Handicrafts Business—Wholesale (2008) Nogordola celebrates 2nd year in innovative business, April 3, 2008. http://indonesia-handicraft.com/news/2008/04/03/nogordola-celebrates-2nd-yr-in-innovative-business/. Accessed 10 May 2014

  • Hansen MT (1998) Combining network centrality and related knowledge: explaining effective knowledge sharing in multiunit firms. Working Paper, Harvard Business School, Boston

  • Hansen KT (2004) The world in dress: anthropological perspective on clothing, fashion, and culture. Annu Rev Anthropol 33(1):369–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartley JF (1994) Case studies in organizational research. In: Casell C, Symon G (eds) Qualitative methods in organizational research: a practical guide. Sage, London, pp 208–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Hitt MA, Ireland RD (2002) The essence of strategic leadership: managing human and social capital. J Leadersh Organ Stud 9(1):3–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hitt MA, Lee H, Yucel E (2002) The importance of social capital to the management of multinational enterprises: relational networks among Asian and Western firms. Asia Pac J Manag 19:353–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huffpost Business (2013) How Bangladesh garment industry traded workplace safety for jobs. Huffpost, May 23, 2013

  • Hutchison T (1976) Adam Smith and the wealth of nations. J Law Econ 19(3):1776: The revolution in social thought, pp 507–528

  • (The) Independent (2013) In conversation with Shahid Hussain Shamim, Thursday, August 01, 2013

  • (The) Independent (2013) Nogordola organized ‘Troyee Mela’ at Drik, Saturday, April 13, 2013

  • Ingram P, Roberts PW (2000) Friendships among competitors in the Sydney Hotel Industry. Am J Sociol 106(2):387–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Islam MA, Khadem M, Sayem A (2012) Service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty analysis in Bangladesh apparel fashion retail: an empirical study. Int J Fash Des Technol Educ 5(3):213–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kibbey J (2013) What collaboration looks like in sustainable fashion. The Guardian, Tuesday, August 20

  • King AW, Zeithaml C (2001) Competencies and firm performance: examining the causal ambiguity paradox. Strateg Manag J 22:75–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavie D (2006) The competitive advantage of interconnected firms: an extension of the resource based view. Acad Manag Rev 31(3):638–658

  • Leana CR, Van Buren HJ III (1999) Organizational social capital and employment practices. Acad Manag Rev 24:538–555

    Google Scholar 

  • Leedy PD (1997) Practical research: planning and design. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Life Stylebd (2009) Kay Kraft, November 3, 2009. http://www.lifestylebd.com. Accessed 5 Apr 2014

  • Lippman S, Rumelt R (1982) Uncertain imitability: an analysis of inter-firm differences in efficiency under competition. Bell J Econ 13:418–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovas B, Ghoshal S (2000) Strategy as guided evolution. Strateg Manag J 21:875–896

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans F, Youssef CM (2004) Human, social, and now positive psychological capital management: investing in people for competitive advantage. Org Dyn 33(2):143–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maillat D, Lecoq B (1992) New technologies and transformation of regional structures in Europe: the role of the milieu. Entrep Reg Dev 4:1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merriam SB (1988) Case study research in education: a qualitative approach. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore JF (1997) The death of competition: leadership and strategy in the age of business ecosystems. Harper Business, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nahapiet J, Ghoshal S (1998) Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage. Acad Manag Rev 23:242–266

    Google Scholar 

  • (The) New Age (2013) Deshi Dosh Art Corner, By Islam Sadequle, Tuesday, September 3, 2013

  • (The) New Age (2013) Launch of Sadakalo’s winter collection 2013, By Asmaul Housna, Tuesday, January 8, 2013

  • Nordas, H. (2004) The global textile and clothing industry post the agreement on textiles and clothing. WTO Discussion Paper No. 5. http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/discussion_papers5_e.pdf

  • Park HS, Luo Y (2001) Guanxi and organizational dynamics: organizational networking in Chinese firms. Strateg Manag J 22(5):455–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrick JA, Scherer RF, Brodzinski JD, Quinn JF, Ainina QM (1999) Global leadership skills and reputational capital: intangible resources for sustainable competitive advantage. Acad Manag Exec 13(1):58–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter ME (1980) Competitive strategy: techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Free Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter ME (1985) Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter ME, Miller VE (1985) How information gives you competitive advantage. Harvard Bus Rev 63(4):49–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell TC, Lovallo D, Caringal C (2006) Causal ambiguity, management perception, and firm performance. Acad Manag Rev 31(1):175–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prabartana (2009) About us: Prabartana for quality handloom. http://prabartana.com.bd/. Accessed 5 Apr 2014

  • Priest A (2005) Uniformity and differentiation in fashion. Int J Cloth Sci Technol 17(3/4):253–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priyo News (2011) Dhaka’s fashion triumph, Tuesday, June 28, 2011

  • Quinn J (1979) Technological innovation, entrepreneurship and strategy. Sloan Manag Rev 20:19–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Raihan S (1999) The textile and clothing industry of Bangladesh in a changing world economy. Centre for Policy Dialogue Report No. 18 (December). Centre for Policy Dialogue, Dhaka

  • Rajput N, Kesharwani S, Khanna A (2012) Consumers’ attitude towards branded apparels: gender perspective. Int J Mark Stud 4(2):111–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Rang (2013) About Rang. http://rang-bd.com. Accessed 5 Apr 2014

  • Reed R, DeFillipi R (1990) Causal ambiguity, barriers to imitation, and sustainable competitive advantage. Acad Manag Rev 15:88–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritter T, Wilkinson IF, Johnston WJ (2004) Managing in complex business networks. Ind Mark Manag 33(3):175–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robson C (1993) Real world research. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Romo FP, Schwartz M (1995) Structural embeddedness of business decisions: a sociological assessment of the migration behavior of plants in New York State between 1960 and 1985. Am Sociol Rev 60:874–907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rumelt RP (1987) Theory, strategy and entrepreneurship. In: Teece D (ed) The competitive challenge: strategies for industrial innovation and renewal. Ballinger, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons H (1996) The paradox of case study. Camb J Educ 26(2):225–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivadas E, Dwyer F (2000) An examination of organizational factors influencing new product success in internal and alliance based processes. J Mark 64:31–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smitka M (1991) Competitive ties: subcontracting in the Japanese automotive industry. Columbia University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Sproles GB (1981) Analyzing fashion life cycles: principles and perspectives. J Mark 45(40):116–124

  • Stake RE (1995) The art of case study research. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Stake RE (2005) Qualitative case studies. In Denzinand NK, Lincoln YS (eds) The Sage handbook of qualitative research, 3rd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp 443–466

  • Taylor M (1982) Community, anarchy and liberty. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • (The) Times of Oman (2013) Bangladesh crafts make their mark, By Moign Khawaja, February, 2013

  • Teece DJ (1994) Information sharing, innovation and antitrust. Antitrust Law Journal 62:465–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Teece DJ, Pisano G, Shuen A (1997) Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strateg Manag J 18(7):509–533

  • The Hindu Business Line (2011) Indian apparel industry braces for competition from Bangladesh, September 7, 2011

  • Uzzi B (1997) Social structure and competition in inter-firm networks: the paradox of embeddedness. Adm Sci Q 42:35–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wee-Liang T (2006) Social capital in Asia: an exploratory study. Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch D, Welch LS, Wilkinson IF, Young LC (1996) Export grouping relationships and networks: evidence from an Australian scheme. Int J Res Mark 13:463–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wernerfelt B (1984) A resource-based view of the firm. Strateg Manag J 5:171–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Women Magazine (2010) Pahela Boishakhh, April 5, 2010

  • Women Magazine (2011) Dhaka Fashion Week takes a bow, June 20, 2011

  • Picot A, Reichwald R, Wigand RT (2001) Die grenzenlose Unternehmung: Information, organization and management. Lehrbuchzur Unternehmensführungim Informationszeitalter. Springer, Berlin

  • Yin RK (2009) Case study research: design and methods. Sage, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoom Information (2007) Prabartana, weaving back the lost heritage, May 13, 2007

  • Zoom Information (2009) Nipun Crafts Limited: manufacturer and exporter of handloom handicrafts, June 10, 2009

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jashim Uddin Ahmed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ahmed, J.U., Rifat, A., Nisha, N. et al. Deshi Dosh: the case on integration of ten rivals in the fashion industry of Bangladesh. Decision 42, 87–103 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40622-015-0075-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40622-015-0075-3

Keywords

Navigation