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Labor organizing at chokepoints along Amazon’s supply chain: Locating geo-strategic nodes

Author

Listed:
  • Spencer Louis Potiker

    (University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA)

  • David A. Smith

    (University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA)

  • Paul S. Ciccantell

    (Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA)

  • Elizabeth Sowers

    (CSU-Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, USA)

  • Luc McKenzie

    (University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA)

Abstract

Amazon seems to be creating a new hybrid model of capitalism combining some elements of classical Fordist vertical integration, or even the over hundred-year-old “Taylorism†of scientific management, with 21st century elements of labor “flexibility†and reliance on gig labor and subcontracting. This hybrid model offers opportunities for organized labor to gain a foothold within some of Amazon’s vertically integrated nodes as the firm lengthens its corporate commodity chain to grow increasingly close to consumers. Building on earlier work on opportunities for, and constraints on, labor in a variety of global commodity chains, our empirical cases examine how Amazon’s corporate strategies may open opportunities for labor in three illustrative cases ensconced in fulfillment centers—the Fordist vertical integration side of the model—in the Inland Empire and Otay Mesa (both in southern California) and Northern Kentucky.

Suggested Citation

  • Spencer Louis Potiker & David A. Smith & Paul S. Ciccantell & Elizabeth Sowers & Luc McKenzie, 2024. "Labor organizing at chokepoints along Amazon’s supply chain: Locating geo-strategic nodes," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(5), pages 1521-1538, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:56:y:2024:i:5:p:1521-1538
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X241228991
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