The overall importance of scientific research is evident. All the objects, real and virtual, are made as result of research activities. Highly profitable and flourishing industrial sectors are those where the research efforts and investments were the strongest. The situation in the Textile - Retail complex is different. Research activities supposed to bring higher added value to textile based obje
cts and products are not satisfying. Despite of efforts, the number of high quality scientific articles is not significant all over the world and particularly in Europe, comparing to the number of jobs and the annual turnover of our industry. This situation should change. The principal goal of AUTEX RESEARCH JOURNAL (ARJ) is to enhance the scientific knowledge base for the development and viability of European and World Textile - Retail industry. The AUTEX RESEARCH JOURNAL scientific excellence, together with the relevance to industry or to AUTEX goals, should be achieved by the strong selectivity via the reviewing process. Thus, reviewers are drawn from AUTEX and other compatible Universities, and also from industry. In addition, it is also believed that such practice can provide the flexibility and opportunity for cross-disciplinary exchange and cooperation frontier research. Professor Vladan Koncar,
ENSAIT, Roubaix, France
Former President of AUTEX