Workshop Call for Papers
Asian Connections:
Linking Mobilities of Capital and Labour in Theory and Practice
May 12-13, 2017
York University
Toronto, Canada
Deadline for Paper Proposals: November 30, 2016
Purpose
This workshop seeks to reunite the study of corporate and migrant
transnationalisms by exploring how they are causally or structurally
connected in the context of cross-border mobilities of capital and labour
into, out of, and within, Asia. The workshop aims to generate new insights
by bringing together scholars working in diverse theoretical frameworks,
disciplinary traditions, methodologies, historical periods and geographical
contexts.
Context
Capitalist development in all parts of the world has always been
characterized by the restless mobility of both capital and labour, in
search of profit and livelihood respectively. Capital, in the form of
transnational corporate organizations, may relocate or outsource production
for various reasons including supply chain configurations, market access,
regulatory considerations and the cost, skill or availability of labour.
Workers may move in search of employment, security, career advancement or
entrepreneurial opportunities. These two forms of mobility are not,
however, unconnected: capital flows may attract inward migration to
employment opportunities; transnational corporations may rely on the
mobility of expatriate staff; the new jobs and wealth that rounds of
corporate investment bring, along with disruptions of social structures,
may enable or induce outward migration; new corporate investment patterns
may follow earlier migrations; and capital and labour mobility may be
controlled through the same regulatory frameworks such as trade agreements,
albeit in different ways. The mobilities of capital and labour are, then,
often linked and yet they are usually researched as separate phenomena.
Saskia Sassen’s comment almost three decades ago, that the two processes of
capital and labour mobility “have been constructed into unrelated
categories” (1988:12), still largely holds true.
Questions and topics might include (but are not limited to):
· What are the legacies of historical transnational corporate
structures for post-colonial mobilities of capital and labour?
· How do multi-level institutions influence the processes of capital
and labour mobility into, from and within Asia?
· How is temporary migrant labour central to corporate strategy in
certain sectors?
· How is development in sites of new industrialization connected to
processes of outmigration?
· How do the interactions of capital and labour mobilities compare
across North-South versus South-South flows? How do migrations shape
investment patterns?
· How do large diasporas shift corporate strategies in sending
countries?
· Is corporate mobility dependent on expat employee mobility?
The format of the workshop will feature detailed discussion and feedback on
12 individual papers over two days. The goal of the workshop is to produce
an edited collection or journal special issue from a selection of papers
presented.
Travel and accommodation expenses for selected participants in the workshop
will be covered.
We hope to attract participants at all career academic career stages with a
strong track record of research and publication related to the theme of the
workshop.
Submission of Proposals
Paper proposals can be sent to the workshop organizers listed below and
should include:
1) a title and abstract (250 words maximum)
2) a CV or personal statement indicating a record of research and
publication related to the workshop theme.
The deadline for submission of these items is November 30, 2016.
Successful applicants will be notified by January 6, 2017 and will be asked
to send in a completed draft paper (5000-8000 words) by April 1, 2017.
Conference Organizers:
Dr. Preet S. Aulakh, Professor of Strategy and International Business
Pierre Lassonde Chair in International Business, Schulich School of
Business, York University. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Dr. Philip Kelly, Professor of Geography, and Director, York Centre for
Asian Research York University. Email: [log in to unmask]
(See attached file: Asian Connections Call For Papers.pdf)
********************************************************
Preet S. Aulakh, Ph.D.
Professor of Strategy
Pierre Lassonde Chair in International Business
Schulich School of Business, N305C
York University
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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