Labor and the globalization of production

"This book brings together the work of international economists, labour economists and sociologists in a far-reaching study of global production networks and the challenges they pose for the workers of developing countries. A number of empirical and theoretical questions are addressed including: how should we characterize global production systems?; does globalized production promote 'industrial upgrading' or a 'race to the bottom'?; what roles do gender differences, labour market institutions, firm strategies and government policies play in moulding the globalization of production and influencing its welfare effects?"

"The book draws on a variety of case studies - from China to Mexico to South Africa to Eastern Europe. They show that globalized production, far from being a panacea for developing countries, creates a new set of challenges to economic development for entrepreneurs, workers, governments and international organizations. These new challenges result not from the extent of globalization per se, but from structural changes in the sphere of production and policy that globalization has brought."--Jacket.