Working out of Poverty
Paid work provides a critical path out of poverty. Most poor households have few assets, except the ability to work. Generating and enhancing decent work is central to sustainable poverty reduction. Our research examines and promotes key dimensions of Working out of Poverty, with a particular focus on the role of business.
Working out of Poverty is composed of two research programmes:
Capturing the Gains: Economic and Social Upgrading in Global Production Networks
Firms in the North increasingly outsource production and services to developing countries. Trade is coordinated by lead firms across multiple countries through Global Production Networks (GPNs). Our research aims to inform and influence stakeholders on how to promote economic and social upgrading for producers and workers in GPNs in the South. It examines four sectors:
- apparel;
- agrofood;
- mobile phones;
- tourism.
People
Dr Stephanie Barrientos (University of Manchester).
Professor Gary Gereffi (Duke University).
Funding
Capturing the Gains is based in BWPI, and has received co-funding for 2010-2012 from:
- Department for International Development (£1.5m);
- Sustainable Consumption Institute (£99,000);
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) (£8,500).
Publications
Stephanie Barrientos (July 2011), ‘Labour chains’: analysing the role of labour contractors in global production networks (pdf).
More detailed information can be found at the Capturing the Gains website.
Business for Development
This research area has two themes:
Chocolate Futures: Sustainable Cocoa Production
Cadbury and Green & Black's have funded research at The University of Manchester (BWPI and Sustainable Consumption Institute) into the social and economic sustainability of their chocolate value chains in Ghana, the Dominican Republic and India.
Based on this research, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership was launched (£50 million) to support cocoa farmers and their communities. Cadbury Dairy Milk and Green & Black's entire range of chocolate bars were converted to Fairtrade.
People
Dr Stephanie Barrientos (University of Manchester).
Dr Amanda Berlan (University of Manchester).
Further information on this theme.
Gender and Agribusiness
This research aims to analyse the changing role of women in global food sourcing, particularly in Africa and Asia. The research will inform companies and policy makers on the gender dimension of food sourcing and retail, and how to support women farmers, workers and producers.
People
Dr Stephanie Barrientos (University of Manchester).
Dr Barbara Evers (University of Manchester).