Beyond “Global Production Networks”: Australian Fashion Week's Trans‐Sectoral Synergies

Abstract

When studies of industrial organisation are informed by commodity chain, actor network or global production network theories and focus on tracing commodity flows, social networks or a combination of the two, they can easily overlook the less routine trans-sectoral associations that are crucial to the creation and realisation of value. This paper shifts attention to identifying the sites at which diverse specialisations meet to concentrate and amplify mutually reinforcing circuits of value. These valorisation processes are demonstrated in the case of Australian Fashion Week, an event in which multiple interests converge to synchronize different expressions of fashion ideas, actively construct fashion markets and enhance the value of a diverse range of fashionable commodities. Conceptualising these interconnected industries as components of a transsectoral fashion complex has implications for understanding regional development, world cities, production location and the manner in which production systems 'touch down' in different places.

Theorizing global business spaces

“…There is evidence of more specific 'hot-office' provision by dedicated firms in global cities, where a full temporary office facility can be hired out by firms for mobile employees to use on a short-term basis as required. Finally, a growing literature has also indicated the growing prevalence and use of trade fairs, business exhibitions and conventions in the global economy which also represent another form of temporary material space in which transnational business is taking place (Maskell et al 2006;Weller 2008). Whilst trade fairs have been a longstanding feature of international business , the si for some time, the size, scale and reach of these events is being transformed by globalization, as well as function they perform for firms.…”

“…This includes those discussed how smart office buildings have developed as a consequence of the ICT needs (Sinopoli 2006), of how factory spaces have similarly been transformed by ICT production systems and new technologies of production such as robotic assembly lines in automobile assembly plants (Ihara 2007). Furthermore, and third, a growing segment of literature has become interested in new temporary and alternative business spaces including hot-desking (Daniels 1994;Stocks 1998) (Maskell et al 2006;Weller 2008), business class work spaces (Breure and van Meel 2003) and home-working (Huws et al 1999;Johnson et al 2007).…”

Cost-competitive places: shifting fortunes and the closure of Dell’s manufacturing facility in Ireland

“…Dell's Limerick operation has seen some gains come about from the corporations restructuring by positioning its surrounding region (workforce, business environment, access to market) to match the corporation's evolving needs. Importantly, the subsidiary's ability to diversify from branch plant to marketing node through varying forms of organisational innovation has enabled it to position itself well in terms of the evolving markets for Dell's produce (Weller, 2008).…”

Place Of Creation And Place Of Production: Spatial Dimensions Of The Berlin Fashion-Design Production Network

“…Therefore, fashion events "[...] help reproduce the community of fashion workers, bringing them together to circulate and 'perform' fashion knowledge" (Entwistle 2010: 8). These events are also bound with their location and can bring positive development at the regional economic level (IBB 2011;Schepers 2011;Senat WiTF 2009;McRobbie 1998: 69;Weller 2008) and develop network relations among fashion actors through both official and informal events, such as parties (cf. Weller 2008;Kawamura 2006;Entwistle 2010).…”