Strategic Planning and Decision-Making in the Textile and Fashion Industries program is free of charge and open to students from all academic backgrounds, even those with no prior experience in the fashion or textile industry. Students will have the opportunity to learn cross-culturally with students from the United States that are majoring in a variety of disciplines. The students from NC State University are pursuing a minor degree in Global Leadership & Team Decision-Making where they will learn, live and travel over a nine-week period to the Czech Republic, Scotland, and France.

The purpose of the experience is to provide an opportunity to learn from students from a variety of disciplines and work on projects from different cultures. There will be discussion, organization visits and team projects. The current class will be taught at the NC State European Center in Prague.

Strategic Planning and Decision-Making in the Textile and Fashion Industries, taught by Assistant Professor Lonny Carter

The course provides a framework for understanding and analyzing strategic planning and decision making in the textile and apparel supply chain, from fiber through retail. It integrates theory and practice through lectures, case studies, company visits, and team exercises to provide students with an understanding of the competitive dynamics in the global textile industry, including structural and behavioral components and the role of entrepreneurship.

Meeting Time: Wednesday, January 21 (afternoon, 13:00-16:30) to Wednesday, February 4; details will be discussed each day to accommodate field trips and company visits

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze competitive problems related to the textile and apparel industries.
• Identify competitive challenges for textile and apparel manufacturers and retailers
• Identify sources of competitive advantages in the textile industry complex.
• Differentiate between tangible and intangible competitive assets.
• Evaluate international corporate strategies.
• Identify the role of leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the integrated global textile industry complex.
• Perform a comprehensive strategic analysis for a textile or apparel company.

Application Deadline: 17 December, 2025

If you would like to join, complete the form by 17 December, 2025. (The deadline has been extended to 17 December, even though the questionnaire states a different date).

The course can accommodate up to 12 Charles University students.

The program syllabus is attached below.