Abstract:
Sewing efficiency has become the key determinant of the success in the apparel
industry in Sri Lanka. This research was built up in a circumstance where this
company was running below the targeted sewing efficiency level continuously. The
main objective of the study was to explore the factors affecting the poor sewing
efficiency of machine operators in Brandix Apparel Solutions in Wathupitiwala. The
study followed the quantitative research approach. Here, the researcher selected six
factors that affect sewing efficiency such as: working environment, supervision,
machine operators’ job satisfaction, skills level, level of education and the sewing
related experience through the past studies, to test their relationship and effect on
sewing efficiency of machine operators in this company. A standardized and validated
questionnaire was distributed among 104 machine operators in the company for the
primary data collection. These 104 machine operators out of the population of 230
machine operators were randomly selected. The validity and reliability of the
questionnaire were tested using Cronbach’s alpha and KMO value. Descriptive
statistics, correlation and multiple regression analysis were employed as the data
analysis techniques. Finally, the study concluded that the working environment,
supervision, job satisfaction and skills level positively affected the sewing efficiency
of machine operators in Brandix Apparel Solution in Wathupitiwala and also it
concluded that machine operators’ education level and experience has a positive
relationship with their sewing efficiency.
