Postcolonial Perspectives on Global Production Networks: Insights from Flower Valley in South Africa

Hughes, Alex; McEwan, Cheryl; Bek, David

doi:10.1068/a130083p

Postcolonial Perspectives on Global Production Networks: Insights from Flower Valley in South Africa

Hughes, Alex; McEwan, Cheryl; Bek, David

Authors

Alex Hughes

Professor Cheryl Mcewan cheryl.mcewan@durham.ac.uk
Head Of Department

David Bek

Abstract

This paper proposes dialogue between postcolonial theory and the analytical frameworks of global value chains (GVCs) and global production networks (GPNs). It does so in order to open up more culturally sensitive accounts of global supply networks and exporting localities than those provided by prevailing political-economic approaches. Particular focus is placed on Zein-Elabdin’s postcolonial notion of economic hybridity to advance understanding of the institutional contexts shaping production networks. The value of applying this concept to GVC/GPN studies is illustrated in the case of a sustainable wildflower harvesting supply network in South Africa’s Western Cape, which supplies ethically promoted bouquets to domestic and European markets. Transnational cultural politics, including those associated with colonial encounters, are shown to shape the hybrid institutional context of this production network. It is suggested that such a perspective on institutional hybridity offers just one fruitful conversation between postcolonial approaches and GVC/GPN frameworks.

Citation

Hughes, A., McEwan, C., & Bek, D. (2015). Postcolonial Perspectives on Global Production Networks: Insights from Flower Valley in South Africa. Environment and Planning A, 47(2), 249-266. https://doi.org/10.1068/a130083p

Journal Article Type	Article
Online Publication Date	Jan 1, 2015
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2015
Deposit Date	Oct 7, 2014
Publicly Available Date	Jan 1, 2016
Journal	Environment and Planning A
Print ISSN	0308-518X
Electronic ISSN	1472-3409
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	47
Issue	2
Pages	249-266
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1068/a130083p
Keywords	Global production networks, Global value chains, Postcolonial theory, South Africa.

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Copyright Statement
Hughes A, McEwan C, Bek D, 2015. The definitive, peer-reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Environment and Planning A 47(2) 249-266, 2015, 10.1068/a130083p.