Product development process in small and medium clothing companies: focus on relations with suppliers, retailers and final client

The purpose of this article is to identify and analyse the product development process (PDP) at small and medium size manufacturing companies in the clothing and textile sector. It focuses on company relations with suppliers, retailers and final clients. Methodologically, the study was conducted by means of multiple case studies at five small and medium size clothing manufacturing companies in Southern Brazil. It found a lack of partnerships with suppliers; a lack of participation of final clients in PDP; the organisation of the sector in functional teams; and the centralisation of decisions and actions of the PDP sectors among the owners.