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Networks of value, commodities and regions: reworking divisions of labour in macro-regional economies

Networks of value, commodities and regions: reworking divisions of labour in macro-regional economies
Networks of value, commodities and regions: reworking divisions of labour in macro-regional economies
The aim of this paper is to explore a theoretical framework that can assist in understanding the extent to which the increased integration of macro-regional economies (such as the European and North American) and the global economy is leading to divergence and/or convergence in the pattern of economic activity and the distribution of value-added and wealth. In particular, the paper focuses on the extent to which changing divisions of labour, the production, appropriation and allocation of value, and economic organization underpin these processes of convergence/divergence. We focus on developing an understanding of the changing divisions of labour across space in increasingly integrated macro-regional economies such as Europe and North America, and the (unequal) flows of value between places that underpin mosaics of territorial inequality. We argue that the production and flows of value associated with different forms of economic activities and commodity production and exchange in different localities provides a framework for understanding changing geographical divisions of labour. We also argue that a critical engagement with the range of work associated with analysing 'commodity chains' and 'commodity networks' provides a way into thinking about the (dis)organization of economic activity and value creation, appropriation and distribution. In particular, we argue that the focus on the commodity, while initially helpful, is misplaced because commodities embody and carry with them relations of value. Consequently, our attention should be focused on the organization of the production, appropriation and realization of value flows and the various forces that structure these processes, such as state governance, labour organization, corporate practices and so on, that are fundamental to understanding the (re)configuration of economic activity in macro-regional economies.
global commodity chains, globalisation, networks of value, regional economic integration, territorial development, the state and labour
1477-0288
41-63
Smith, A.M.
b309cd9a-3999-400f-b6c5-e720d7058b62
Rainnie, A.
ae68d4e9-bfc1-4735-9535-1a7e7be3d7d5
Dunford, M.
a110582c-3505-4b43-a9ef-0b2c4c33f213
Hardy, J.
51c3d710-21f2-443a-a7a2-82a3d6ade62e
Hudson, R.
236920c5-6563-4c6a-947d-45f2ebf982cb
Sadler, D.
ee014a72-d36c-4fba-a835-d82bf8657cb8
Smith, A.M.
b309cd9a-3999-400f-b6c5-e720d7058b62
Rainnie, A.
ae68d4e9-bfc1-4735-9535-1a7e7be3d7d5
Dunford, M.
a110582c-3505-4b43-a9ef-0b2c4c33f213
Hardy, J.
51c3d710-21f2-443a-a7a2-82a3d6ade62e
Hudson, R.
236920c5-6563-4c6a-947d-45f2ebf982cb
Sadler, D.
ee014a72-d36c-4fba-a835-d82bf8657cb8

Smith, A.M., Rainnie, A., Dunford, M., Hardy, J., Hudson, R. and Sadler, D. (2002) Networks of value, commodities and regions: reworking divisions of labour in macro-regional economies. Progress in Human Geography, 26 (1), 41-63. (doi:10.1191/0309132502ph355ra).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore a theoretical framework that can assist in understanding the extent to which the increased integration of macro-regional economies (such as the European and North American) and the global economy is leading to divergence and/or convergence in the pattern of economic activity and the distribution of value-added and wealth. In particular, the paper focuses on the extent to which changing divisions of labour, the production, appropriation and allocation of value, and economic organization underpin these processes of convergence/divergence. We focus on developing an understanding of the changing divisions of labour across space in increasingly integrated macro-regional economies such as Europe and North America, and the (unequal) flows of value between places that underpin mosaics of territorial inequality. We argue that the production and flows of value associated with different forms of economic activities and commodity production and exchange in different localities provides a framework for understanding changing geographical divisions of labour. We also argue that a critical engagement with the range of work associated with analysing 'commodity chains' and 'commodity networks' provides a way into thinking about the (dis)organization of economic activity and value creation, appropriation and distribution. In particular, we argue that the focus on the commodity, while initially helpful, is misplaced because commodities embody and carry with them relations of value. Consequently, our attention should be focused on the organization of the production, appropriation and realization of value flows and the various forces that structure these processes, such as state governance, labour organization, corporate practices and so on, that are fundamental to understanding the (re)configuration of economic activity in macro-regional economies.

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More information

Published date: 2002
Keywords: global commodity chains, globalisation, networks of value, regional economic integration, territorial development, the state and labour

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 15183
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/15183
ISSN: 1477-0288
PURE UUID: 37df0783-8db1-4273-be96-5db80ea600a9

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Date deposited: 11 Apr 2005
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:36

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Contributors

Author: A.M. Smith
Author: A. Rainnie
Author: M. Dunford
Author: J. Hardy
Author: R. Hudson
Author: D. Sadler

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