Description
Book SynopsisThe Politics of Global Supply Chains analyses the changing politics of power and distribution within contemporary global supply chains.
Trade Review"Marrying theoretical and empirical analysis seamlessly, this book skilfully deciphers the increasingly complex world of supply chain management and politics. It is essential reading for scholars, activists and policy makers concerned with business regulation, changing patterns of transnational governance and the appropriate roles of public and private actors in crafting a more just economic system."
Peter Utting, Deputy Director, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development "Global supply chains play an important role not only in the world economy but also in global politics, and no one interested in them can afford to ignore this landmark study. Kate Macdonald's ability to combine rigorous and enlightening analyses of global trends with invaluable insights into local processes and experiences, gathered through painstaking fieldwork over several years, is truly impressive."
Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, London School of Economics "Macdonald brings alive the politics of supply chains, using rich case analysis to identify – and question – key production and regulation practices in today's global economy. Thorough research yields helpful insights for theorists and activists alike."
Jan Aart Scholte, University of WarwickTable of ContentsAcronyms vii
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction: The Politics of Global Supply Chains 1
1 Power and Governance in Garment Supply Chains 18
2 The Emergence of Non-State Governance: Anti-Sweatshop Campaigns 44
3 The Private Sector Response: Codes of Conduct 71
4 Dispersed Power Within Coffee Supply Chains 87
5 The Transformative Challenge: Fair Trade as an ‘Alternative’ Institutional Model 103
6 Starbucks CAFÉ Practices: The ‘Responsible’ Corporation Responds 129
7 Interaction Between Initiatives: Diffusing Change Beyond ‘Niche’ Supply Chains 147
8 Lessons and Synthesis: Power, Responsibility and Governance Beyond the State 165
Conclusion: Ongoing Political Contests in Global Supply Chains 191
Notes 194
References 222
Index 245
