Exercising power over labour governance in the electronics industry

Power relationships between contract manufacturers and brands in the electronics industry global production network are changing. Brands show increasing dependency on contract manufacturers, whereas contract manufacturers show the opposite dynamic. This paper argues that using different understandings of power in inter-firm relationships reveal an opportunity for contract manufacturers to exercise collective power against brand firm behaviours that can cause labour violations in their factories. This requires non-firm actors in the global production network to create risk and obligation that would compel contract manufacturers to exercise more power over labour governance, for example, through the establishment of a 'floor' on labour costs and working conditions.