Business owners were studied to determine if women approach business differently from men (integrative perspective). The population (n = 578) served as the sample of Texas apparel manufacturing owners identified by U.S. Standard Industrial Classification codes. Validity and reliability were established for the five scales. Data analyses were conducted on 199 responses. Few significant differences were found between males and females on their individual, organization, and action dimensions expressed by business strategies, negotiating skills, management activities, and strategic postures. Some significant differences were found on the dimensions within the integrative perspective and sociodemographics. The conclusion is that women did not approach their business from an integrative perspective except in a few dimensions. Research should be continued to dismiss the stereotype that women often do not own successful businesses.

The purpose of this study was to investigate Brush's (1992) integrative perspective of female business owners. The sample included 22 women apparel-manufacturing owners purposively chosen to participate in on-site interviews. A 36-item interview schedule was used to assess business owners' current business practices, provide information about their family, and to characterize their career as a business owner in apparel manufacturing. A Windows version of NUD*IST 4 was used to analyze the data. These women perceived being their own boss as a benefit and measured success in non-economic terms. Motives for business creation were personal fulfillment and professional achievement. They expressed regret about ownership if spouses were reported as unsupportive or if children were in the home. Brush's (1992) integrative perspective was validated, in part. These women perceived themselves in a network of work and family relationships.

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The purpose of this study was to survey owners of apparel manufacturing firms as to their successful and less‐successful business activities. A secondary purpose was to profile the demographic characteristics of the owners. Subjects (N = 200) included male andfemale owners in businessfor more than a year who were in the production of women's, children's, and infants' clothing and accessories and headquartered in the state of Texas. The Dillman method was used for development of a survey questionnaire and the procedure for two mailings and a telephone follow‐up. Data were analyzed using chi‐square, t tests, logistic regression, and profile analysis of repeated measures. Successful owners had more negotiating skills, used differentiating strategies, worked more hours per week, and were more conservative in their risk posture than less‐successful owners. The findings of this study have important implicationsfor (a) effective management practices concerning business strategies and strategic posture of management, and (b) course content in apparel design programs.

Quick Response (QR) has been promoted for the U.S. sewn products industry to survive in a competitive international market. The purpose of this study was to provide information on the diffusion of QR in the Texas sewn products industry. Texas ranksfourth largest in the United States for number of sewn products operations and second largest for retail markets. A mail questionnaire was sent to all Texas manufacturers of sewn products; 123 usable instruments were analyzed with 39 identified as QR users. These 39 executives were in the early majority phase according to diffusion theory. QR users were likely to have a high risk propensity and to have large firms. A number of significant differences were found between QR users and QR nonusers. Results of the study provide information that may help maximize QR diffusion. Implications of this study contribute to the sewn products industry, academia, and education.