The purpose of this study was to empirically develop a comprehensive model of undergraduate students' entrepreneurial career intention that combines both cognitive and behavioral decision-making processes. Data were collected via a questionnaire completed by textile and apparel undergraduates at four American universities (n = 345). Based on the literature, a model of personal values-attitude-behavioral intention was developed. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the model. Results revealed that self-actualization as a value significantly influenced attitudes, which, in turn, influenced entrepreneurial career intentions. Both entrepreneurial knowledge and skills moderated the relationship between self-actualization and entrepreneurial career attitudes. Findings shed light on the influence of personal values and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills on entrepreneurial career choice. Further testing of the model is needed.

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to explore strategies used by successful female entrepreneurs to manage the challenges of running a small apparel business. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research design was used. Primary and secondary data were collected on small business in three countries: Russia, South Africa and Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 11 female small apparel business owners. Businesses ranged from tailoring and custom clothing shops, to small-scale design and production, as well as small apparel retail stores. Findings – Three emergent themes highlight the similarities and differences that surfaced across the participants’ narratives. Key issues within the thematic areas point to the need for these women to be creative in finding resources to start and grow their small apparel businesses, and to manage the competition that they face within this industry. Research limitations/implications – It is difficult to generalize the findings of this study beyond the sample. Implications of the findings for understanding the needs of female apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners are considered. Originality/value – Despite the significance of women to the apparel industry as well as small business ownership, thus far, the role of women as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners has been under-examined in the literature. This study offers insight into what it is like for women seeking to succeed as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Textile and apparel industry professionals must be capable of dealing with cultural differences and diverse perspectives on a multinational scale. To address the challenges involved in educating students for the global industry workforce, a 3‐year collaborative project was conducted through partnerships between faculty at three U.S. universities and five universities in Thailand, Australia, and Russia. The project was designed to create learning modules based on real‐world industry issues to foster global competence among students in textile and apparel programs. Tested in existing courses, module effectiveness was assessed using pre‐ and post‐tests that included closed‐ and open‐ended questions designed to measure students’“cultural intelligence” as an indication of global competence. Results suggest that exposure to the modules helped to improve students’ global competence. However, further development and testing of the modules is needed to include students in programs and countries in addition to those represented by this study.

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This paper illustrates how critical thinking techniques could be used in teaching aesthetics. Exploring unfamiliar territory and moving freely between reflective and active thought processes are components important to both aesthetics and critical thinking. In keeping with the objectives of critical thinking, a classroom exercise titled "Getting Outside of Your Own Skin" was designed to help students acknowledge and address assumptions and biases they may hold about older consumers and the aging process. Students were encouraged to move beyond personal experiences to broaden their thinking about individuals unlike themselves. By working through the project, students were given the opportunity to examine their perceptions and attitudes toward the aging process and to consider their effect on this growing market.