Learning from global buyers

An increasing number of developing countries engage in contract manufacturing for a decreasing number of global buyers. This constellation characterises many labour intensive export sectors. The positioning of developing country enterprises in such buyer-driven chains is central to research concerned with identifying the winners and losers from globalization. This study contributes to this debate by seeking answers to two questions: first, what can researchers learn from global buyers about the relative strengths and weaknesses of developing country producers; second, what can these producers learn from global buyers and what circumstances facilitate or constrain such learning.