Zara's Secret for Fast Fashion

In extremely high competitive environments like the
fashion industry, globalisation, increasing supply
and demand uncertainties and the pace of market
changes combine the intensive search for improved
customer service, reduced cost and the elusive
target of greater agility. This book discusses first
on the basis of a theoretical analysis how the
Spanish garments retailer Zara - the world s fastest
growing clothing brand - faces these challenges with
a close view at its unique supply chain
management practices. Besides the conventional
literature review, a different approach demonstrates
how a business model can also be analysed by the
application of the ''Systems Archetypes''. They are
highly effective to understand patterns of
organisations and the nature of underlying problems.
Illustrated with causal loop diagrams they offer a
basic structure, upon which a model can be further
developed and are herewith very
helpful and supportive in decision taking processes.
To get an objective overview Zara''s main competitor -
the Swedish company Hennes & Mauritz - is also
investigated which has a far more common way of
managing its business model.

Autorentext
Diploma in Business Administration in 1997. Postgraduate studies in 'International Project Management' with the degree classification MBA in 2007. International experience in the Fashion Industry with working and living e.g. in London, Paris, the USA, Dubai and Munich. Since November 2008 resident in Berlin / Germany.

Klappentext
In extremely high competitive environments like the fashion industry, globalisation, increasing supply and demand uncertainties and the pace of market changes combine the intensive search for improved customer service, reduced cost and the elusive target of greater agility. This book discusses first on the basis of a theoretical analysis how the Spanish garments retailer Zara - the world's fastest growing clothing brand - faces these challenges with a close view at its unique supply chain management practices. Besides the conventional literature review, a different approach demonstrates how a business model can also be analysed by the application of the 'Systems Archetypes'. They are highly effective to understand patterns of organisations and the nature of underlying problems. Illustrated with causal loop diagrams they offer a basic structure, upon which a model can be further developed and are herewith very helpful and supportive in decision taking processes. To get an objective overview Zara's main competitor - the Swedish company Hennes & Mauritz - is also investigated which has a far more common way of managing its business model.