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Circular transitions in global production networks?: : a multi-scalar approach to anticipating socio-economic and socio-environmental effects of ‘x-shoring’

Friedrich, Jonathan LU ; Stihl, Linda LU orcid and Grillitsch, Markus LU (2024) In Papers in Innovation Studies 2024(9).
Abstract
The circular economy (CE) is argued as a possible model for dealing with value chain instabilities in global production networks. Since geographical proximity is central to unlocking circular potential, x-shoring (including concepts like reshoring, resourcing, or friendshoring) is arguably key to this process. Often, spatial restructurings of the CE are embraced without a critical examination of their multi-scalar effects. Nevertheless, spatial restructuring of the economy inevitably produces winners and losers. To navigate the tensions that arise in the context of uneven development and environmental (in)justice, we present a framework for anticipating plausible socio-economic and socio-environmental effects of x-shoring processes across... (More)
The circular economy (CE) is argued as a possible model for dealing with value chain instabilities in global production networks. Since geographical proximity is central to unlocking circular potential, x-shoring (including concepts like reshoring, resourcing, or friendshoring) is arguably key to this process. Often, spatial restructurings of the CE are embraced without a critical examination of their multi-scalar effects. Nevertheless, spatial restructuring of the economy inevitably produces winners and losers. To navigate the tensions that arise in the context of uneven development and environmental (in)justice, we present a framework for anticipating plausible socio-economic and socio-environmental effects of x-shoring processes across place, scale, and time. We illustrate our framework with insights from the literature on old industrial regions and cases documented in the Environmental Justice Atlas. Our framework represents a holistic approach that integrates interdisciplinary literature from different disciplines. We discuss the ambivalent effects of x-shoring across space, scale, and time, principles for navigating the tensions that arise, and outline research avenues for a thorough exploration of the geography of x-shoring in the CE and beyond. Because of the ambivalence of these processes, we conclude that research must embrace the complexity of these developments by employing integrative, multi-scalar approaches that empower local agency. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Working paper/Preprint
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Global production networks, global value chains, trade-off, Circular economy, anticipation
in
Papers in Innovation Studies
volume
2024
issue
9
pages
36 pages
project
Circular Value & Supply Chains, Regional Development, and Multi-Level Policy Dynamics
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
549a9d39-2d77-4a4e-875f-21b1b8f089cc
alternative location
https://swopec.hhs.se/lucirc/abs/lucirc2024_009.htm
date added to LUP
2024-08-09 12:30:20
date last changed
2024-08-12 13:37:28
@misc{549a9d39-2d77-4a4e-875f-21b1b8f089cc,
  abstract     = {{The circular economy (CE) is argued as a possible model for dealing with value chain instabilities in global production networks. Since geographical proximity is central to unlocking circular potential, x-shoring (including concepts like reshoring, resourcing, or friendshoring) is arguably key to this process. Often, spatial restructurings of the CE are embraced without a critical examination of their multi-scalar effects. Nevertheless, spatial restructuring of the economy inevitably produces winners and losers. To navigate the tensions that arise in the context of uneven development and environmental (in)justice, we present a framework for anticipating plausible socio-economic and socio-environmental effects of x-shoring processes across place, scale, and time. We illustrate our framework with insights from the literature on old industrial regions and cases documented in the Environmental Justice Atlas. Our framework represents a holistic approach that integrates interdisciplinary literature from different disciplines. We discuss the ambivalent effects of x-shoring across space, scale, and time, principles for navigating the tensions that arise, and outline research avenues for a thorough exploration of the geography of x-shoring in the CE and beyond. Because of the ambivalence of these processes, we conclude that research must embrace the complexity of these developments by employing integrative, multi-scalar approaches that empower local agency.}},
  author       = {{Friedrich, Jonathan and Stihl, Linda and Grillitsch, Markus}},
  keywords     = {{Global production networks; global value chains; trade-off; Circular economy; anticipation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  note         = {{Working Paper}},
  number       = {{9}},
  series       = {{Papers in Innovation Studies}},
  title        = {{Circular transitions in global production networks?: : a multi-scalar approach to anticipating socio-economic and socio-environmental effects of ‘x-shoring’}},
  url          = {{https://swopec.hhs.se/lucirc/abs/lucirc2024_009.htm}},
  volume       = {{2024}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}