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The Evolutionary Dynamics of Biofuel Value Chains: From Unipolar and Government-Driven to Multipolar Governance

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  • Stefano Ponte

    (Department of Business and Politics, Copenhagen Business School, Steen Blichers Vej 22, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark)

Abstract

In this paper I propose to push the frontier of global value chain (GVC) governance analysis through the concept of ‘polarity’. Much of the existing GVC literature has focused on ‘unipolar’ value chains, where one group of ‘lead firms’ inhabiting a specific function in a chain plays a dominant role in governing it. Some scholars have explored the dynamics of governance in GVCs characterized as ‘bipolar’, where two sets of actors in different functional positions both drive the chain. I expand this direction further to suggest conceptualizing governance within a continuum between unipolarity and multipolarity Empirically, I do so by examining the evolutionary dynamics of governance in biofuel value chains, with specific focus on the key regulatory and institutional features that facilitated their emergence and expansion. First, I examine the formation, evolution, and governance of three national/regional value chains (in Brazil, the US, and the EU); then, I provide evidence to support a trend towards the increasing but still partial formation of a global biofuel value chain and examine its governance traits.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Ponte, 2014. "The Evolutionary Dynamics of Biofuel Value Chains: From Unipolar and Government-Driven to Multipolar Governance," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 46(2), pages 353-372, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:46:y:2014:i:2:p:353-372
    DOI: 10.1068/a46112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jay Sterling Gregg & Simon Bolwig & Teis Hansen & Ola Solér & Sara Ben Amer-Allam & Júlia Pladevall Viladecans & Antje Klitkou & Arne Fevolden, 2017. "Value Chain Structures that Define European Cellulosic Ethanol Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Magnani, Giovanna & Zucchella, Antonella & Strange, Roger, 2019. "The dynamics of outsourcing relationships in global value chains: Perspectives from MNEs and their suppliers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 581-595.
    3. Torsten Menge, 2019. "How Far Does the European Union Reach? Foreign Land Acquisitions and the Boundaries of Political Communities," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-15, March.

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