Demystifying Fair Trade in France: The History of an Ambiguous Project

In France, Fair Trade arrived on the scene in the late twentieth century, and since then has passed through several experimental phases before becoming an enduring “realistic” economic alternative. To understand the transformation, this article defines Fair Trade as a social construct issues and tensions of which change depending on the point of entry. By conducting a secondary analysis of several data sets from varied sources, including documentary material, interviews, and observations, the authors trace the history of Fair Trade in France, define its introduction as a system, describe its institutionalization, and contribute to a greater understanding of how its ideals have changed and become more professional over time. The analyses reveal that the term “Fair Trade” has become ambiguous, spanning divergent and conflicting ideas and projects, including opening and closing conventional market systems and alter-globalization and anti-globalization.     

Perceived Environmental Dynamism and Managerial Risk Aversion as Antecedents of Manufacturing Outsourcing: The Moderating Effects of Firm Maturity

This study investigates how perceived environmental dynamism and managerial risk aversion influence a firm's manufacturing outsourcing activities. Based on a survey of 86 small manufacturing firms, the study found that higher levels of perceived environmental dynamism and managerial risk aversion are associated with increased outsourcing activity. These relationships are moderated by firm maturity such that newer firms engage in more manufacturing outsourcing than their mature counterparts when the environment is perceived to be more dynamic. Mature firms were found to outsource more than newer firms when their top-management teams were relatively more risk averse.     

Rethinking Development Strategy in Africa: The Imperative and Prospects Of Human-Centred Development

Abstract: What prospects are there for a fundamental improvement of human conditions and what does it take to achieve human-centred development in Africa? These arc the central issues which this article addresses. Starting off from an assessment of an increasingly deteriorating socio-economic situation, the paper argues that the reversal of Africa's economic decline and unfavourable human and social conditions cannot be achieved on the basis of the current adjustment-based economic reform policies. It further argues that a fresh vision is urgently needed on the part of all concerned — first and foremost the African people and governments but also the global community — to implement with purposefulness development strategies and policies that are truly responsive to the intertwined requirements of economic transformation and human development. Development strategies that are negligent of these requirements would remain grossly defective in their design and delinquent in their intent. The paper goes on to outline the implications of such a responsive approach in terms of the needed policy shifts and resource targeting. The final part of the paper examines the prospects for a fundamental rethinking of development strategy in Africa and also for a responsive development cooperation ethic in support thereof. Prospects of the latter are judged not to be sufficiently favourable, which leaves no choice for the Africans but to regain the initiative and truly assume the responsibility for changing their economic, social and political fortunes through deliberate and decisive actions. Opportunities for the unfolding of this scenario are also examined within the context of the nature of governance and an emerging and increasingly proactive civil society. Résumé: Quelles sont les perspectives d'une amélioration fondamentale de sort de l'homme et que faut-il pour réaliser en Afrique un développement à visage humain? Telles sont les questions centrales qu'aborde cet article. Partant d'une évaluation de la situation - socio-économique qui se dégrade de plus en plus, l'articlc soutient que les politiques actuelles de réforme économiques axées sur l'ajustement ne peuvent pas réussir à mettre fin au déclin economique et à la situation humaine et sociale défavorable. II soutient en outre qu'il faudrait de toute urgence une vision nouvelle de la part de tous les intéressés - avant tout les peuples ct les gouvernements africains, mais également la communauté internationale - pour mettre en oeuvre de manière constructive des stratégies et des politiques de développement qui répondent véritablement aux critères intimement liés de transformation économique et de développement humain. Les stratégies de développement qui négligent ces critères resteront notoirement défectueuses dans leur conception et coupables dans leur intention. L'article poursuit en présentant les implications d'une telle approche positive, en termes de modifications des politiques et de ciblage de ressources. La dernière partie de l'article examine les opportunités d'une conception fondamentalement nouvelle de la stratégic de développement en Afrique, ainsi que celles d'une éthique de coopération au développement à l'appui d'une telle stratégic L'article estime que les perspectives dans ce domaine ne sont pas suffisamment favorables. Aussi, les Africains n'ont-ils d'autre choix que de reprendre l'initiative et d'assumer véritablement la responsabilité d'un changement de leur situation économique, sociale et politique, à travers des actions délibérées et décisives. Les chances de concrétisation de ce scénario sont également examinées dans le context de la gouvernance et de l'émergence d'une société civile caractérisee par une synergie croissante.