Rethinking Global Production: A Comparative Analysis of Restructuring in the Clothing Industry

This book is about global restructuring and what it actually means for firms in high-wage economies. Its specific purpose is to analyse and assess how firms in one labour intensive industry have responded to the globalisation of production. The increased competitive pressures and lowering of trade barriers have forced many firms to dramatically rethink how they organise production. Some have resorted to off-shore manufacturing, some have looked to new technology to automate key factors in the production process. Still others have exploited local labour market changes and sought a competitive edge through processes of systematic intensification of work effort. The similarities and differences in these strategies are analysed, and explanations for the identified patterns of restructuring are offered. The consequences of these changes for the organisation of work and the structure of the firm are also explored.