1. Global Production Networks: Debates and Challenges GPERG workshop Manchester, 25-26 Jan, 2007 GPNs/GVCs and Multi-Scalar Standards Khalid Nadvi IDPM,SED, Univ. of Manchester

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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