Global Production Networks: Debates and Challenges GPERG workshop Manchester, Jan, 2007 GPNs/GVCs and Multi-Scalar Standards Khalid Nadvi IDPM,SED, Univ. of Manchester

Standards & GVCs: Current Focus Typologies of standards: –Product versus Process Focus on process standards (Quality, Environmental, Labour/Social/Ethical) –Distinct types (Company Codes, Labels, National and International Standards) –Coverage (Firms, Chains, Sectors, Generic) –Who are the key drivers? (Business, NGOs, Govt, International Bodies) –Who certifies? (internal/independent audits, private auditors, NGOs, Govt) –What regulatory implications? (voluntary, market requirement, mandatory) –Geographical Scale (sub-national, National, Regional, Global)

Existing Research Focus What implications for governance and upgrading within GVC/GPN ties? Empirical GVC studies on standards in: –Agro-processing & Food Sectors (Quality, SPS, Food Safety, Environmental, Labour/Ethical) –Garments, Leather, Footwear (Labour, Social/Ethical, Environmental) –Metal Products (Quality Assurance)

Gaps and Issues arising from current focus How relevant are existing typologies? –Boundaries Blurring Between Product and Process Within Process standards –Increasing Complexity Relative neglect of: –Product & Technological Standards Some exceptions – Telecoms

Product and Technological Standards Key Issues (Hess & Coe 2006) –Co-ordination and Competition –Standards and Technical Innovation –Complexity –Pluralism – of actors –Role of Govt/Regional Regulators –Regional Specificities & Cultural Embeddedness Innovation Networks and Standards Formation – Standards and National Innovation Systems Distinct Governance Implications

Environmental Standards Focus in particular on health and food safety issues –Power of global supermarkets –Governance Implications – moves towards internalisation/externalisation of functions –Increasing role of intermediary actors –Weak role for local governance

Labour and Social Standards Global NGOs & Global Brands – The power of naming and shaming International Bodies –ILO – as a standard setting and monitoring agency –ETI – shaping company codes Complex Partnerships –Brands, Global NGOs, International Bodies –Weak role for local actors (Govt, NGOs, Business, TUs) Diverse Governance Implications

Standards: Challenges for the Future I Linkages between Product Standards and Technological Innovation – clusters, GVC/GPN, innovation systems Social/Environmental Standards –Complex Public-Private Partnerships –Role of non-corporate actors in GVC/GPN networks and GVC governance

Standards: Challenges for the Future II China and India – –Reshaping the Geography of Globalisation and GVC/GPN Ties? Consequences for Standard Formulation –Specific Sectors or Generalised? –Distinguished by End-Markets –Role of State and Civil Society Actors within China/India on Environmental & Labour Standards –Regional Standards & Regional Markets –Standards and Rent Capture

Standards: Challenges for the Future III Standards and Trajectories -Convergence or Divergence? –Product/Technological –Quality –Environmental –Labour/Social/Ethical