Topic > Labor trade in global supply chains and corporate offshoring activities

By definition, although varied, globalization is a dynamic process of wide-ranging liberalization, opening and integration of markets, from labor to goods and services to capital and technology that cross borders (Dehesa, 2006). Generally, economic globalization is examined in two ways; trade liberalization and capital liberalization (increase in foreign direct investment) (Locke, 2013). This thesis focuses on labor trade in global supply chains and various corporate offshoring activities, and does not cover another dimension, capital liberalization. Overall, diversification and growth of supply chains are warranted to provide the necessary investment, employment, technology and international market access. Therefore, the integration of marginalized workers located in developing countries into GSCs is expected to contribute to economic development (Locke, 2013). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Along with trade liberalization, the rapid expansion of globalized business activities has been recognized since the post-World War II period, accompanied by the emergence and spread of multinational enterprises (MNEs) (Frobel et al., 1981; Hirst et al., 2009). In particular, during the 1960s, the significant trend towards supply chain fragmentation and the offshoring of activities in search of cheap labor and materials emerged, together with the rise of multinationals; “being a locally incorporated but foreign-controlled entity” (Kline, 2010:47). During the 1980s this trend accelerated with the Washington Consensus agreement; the package of policy recommendations for developing countries. The content of this consensus is the implementation of liberal norms such as trade and financial liberalization, deregulation, limited government, and privatization (Held and McGrew, 2000). It transformed the role of states from directly managing development to providing an institutional framework for private enterprise. With respect to businesses, corporate entities are considered a “development tool” in terms of creating wealth through the generation of employment and the provision of goods and services, but recognizing little responsibility for the impact of their activities (Blowfield and Dolan, 2014). Since then GSCs have grown significantly in recent decades, covering not only manufacturing industries but also energy, agriculture and various types of services such as call centers and R&D accounting (Gereffi, 2013). However, many scholars argue that liberal trade is out of control and beyond its assumptions. Joseph Stiglitz (2007) and Chang (2007) argue that current trade has failed to create a win-win relationship. As a result of easier access to international markets, large multinationals use this opportunity to avoid regulations by moving production to countries that lack or are less implemented regulations and seek cheaper raw materials and labor. However, in terms of the developing country's labor and resource markets, there is a risk of facing intensified competition and exploitation as they are not ready to compete with the international giant. Therefore, without adequate regulation, globalized business potentially leads to a race to the bottom by exploiting vulnerable workers and weakening social and environmental regulation, 2014).