Trade

Auroi, C. (2003). Improving sustainable chain management through fair trade. Greener Management International, (43), 25-35.

The international fair-trade movement is expanding slowly but steadily. Fair trade principles can be considered as important elements in the discussion about the more sustainable management of value chains. They are aimed at, and often succeed in, redistribution income more equitable between the various actors involved. Within the globalisation processes of the world economy, fair trade has the potential to make a valuable contribution as an example of good practice, proving that production and trade can be organised in a more sustainable way. Analysis of the coffee sector shows the balancing effects of fair trade on the supply chain. However, the concentration of corporate companies is so strong today that fair trade will also have to expand to those corporate enterprises if its philosophy is to be better known and taken into account. For this objective to be achieved discussions will need to be started between the main actors of the trade system, and international organisations must also be involved. Peasant and consumer associations should also be considered as active contributors to the implementation of fair-trade principles within world trade. (Auroi, 2003)

Brown, M. B. (2007). 'Fair trade' with africa. Review of African Political Economy, 34(112), 267-277.

The origin of Africa's current failure to benefit from the expansion of world trade lies in the colonial division of labour, the consequences of which persist in economic structures far more than in other continents. The consequent economic distortions emphasising export of primary products have been preserved by external forces and are now being reinforced by free markets. The 'fair trade' concept seeks to ensure a measure of surplus for some producers that the market - dominated by middle-men and oligopsonistic Western corporations - denies them. A leading force in the movement, TWIN, originated in London in the 1980s, and the movement now has worldwide trade approaching L1 billion, mainly in coffee, cocoa and tea, but also in rice and cotton. African countries have been prime beneficiaries. Although growth of 'fair trade' is extremely high, it is unlikely ever to displace 'free trade' in importance, but it may nevertheless promote a way out of poverty (including dependence on the commodities in question) for many people otherwise trapped in the hangover of colonial power. This may be through gaining increasing control over the commodity chains of which at present they are only the first, fragmented element. Adapted from the source document.

Castaldo, J. (2009). Fair trade. Canadian Business, 82(4), 16-16.

Research by Compas Inc. into the positions that executives take on free trade issues and U.S.-Canada relations is addressed. Executives expressed concerns about border management and ensuring the free flow of goods between countries. The also expressed their positions on global warming prevention as a hemispheric issue.

Clarke, J. (2009). It's a super mark-up. New Statesman, 138(4946), 16-17.

The article examines issue arising from the increased commerce in fair trade food items in Great Britain. The focus of the article is how much of the fair trade price is passed along to the producers of the commodities, typically farmers in developing countries. Also examined in the article are social and financial criticisms of the fair trade movement.  (Clarke, 2009)

Davies, I. A. (2007). The eras and participants of fair trade: An industry structure/stakeholder perspective on the growth of the fair trade industry. Corporate Governance, 7(4), 455.

This paper aims to investigate the increased mass-marketing in the fair trade industry to provide a robust analysis of the industry, participants and growth for use both as a starting-point for researchers in this field and as a case study for readers with an interest in any ethical trading initiative. Utilizing data from a longitudinal exploratory research project, participant observation from two organizations and in-depth interviews from a total of 15 organizations are combined to build a strong theory grounded in the data. The paper provides insight into the nature of participants and industry structure in fair trade over time. Four distinct eras are identified which reflect both current literature and the practitioners' perspective. This paper provides deep empirically grounded theory from which fair trade research can grow. It also provides future insights from participants in the industry, advancing current theory. (Davies, 2007)

Dyker, D. A. (1993). Free trade and fair trade with eastern europe. RFE/RL Research Report,Vol.2, Issue 26, p.39-42, 2(26), 39-42.

As the west prepares to extend additional aid to easterne Europe, especially Russia, a number of important trade issues are cming to the fore in recent months, both the European community commission and the US Government have imposed quantitative restrictions or punitive duties on cheap imports from eastern Europe. This is dangerous for Eastern Europe because it could abort the normal process of economic development through the exploitation of comparative advantage and could reinforce anti-competitive tendencies. The west must also consider carefully whether coordination between aid and trade policies does not need to be improved in order to maintain cost-effective support for economic transformation in eastern Europe.

Enjoy! The weel-onformed coffee drinkers directory.(1995). New Internationalist, (271), 26.

Features organizations and companies promoting fair-traded coffee products. Includes Trade Aid Importers; Community Aid Abroad Trading; Fair Trade Foundation.

Equality watch: Fair work, fair trade.(2004). New Internationalist, (364), 34-34.

Reports on the increasing resistance of people toward unfair trade and workplace inequality. Trade of bananas, coffee, and other products to other countries around the world; Discovery that many of the fair-trade producers are also part of cooperatives; Issue of subsidies received by U.S. cotton growers to increase cotton harvests.

Klitgaard, T., & Schiele, K. (1998). Free versus fair trade: The dumping issue. (cover story). Current Issues in Economics & Finance, 4(8), 1.

Focuses on the effects of trade liberalization on the use of antidumping tariffs. Growing use of antidumping tariffs; Two perspectives on antidumping actions; Alternatives to antidumping tariffs. INSET: Lowering the world's trade barriers.

Available online: http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/current_issues/ci4-8.pdf

Moran, A. (2003). Free trade or fair trade? Review - Institute of Public Affairs, 55(2), 33.

Reduced trade barriers have been key elements in the increased prosperity the world has seen in the post-1945 era. These lower barriers have allowed greater specialization of production, with consequent gains in cheaper goods enjoyed by all parties. At the present time, the average tariff on imports into Australia is 3.8%. Australia's transformation into an internationally oriented economy with reduced trade barriers has turned the country into one of the world's strongest and most prosperous economies. Further reductions in our trade restraints are the way forward. The preferred route, multilateral trade agreements, is being shut off by those who seek to use trade negotiations as a tool of social and environmental policy. To accept this means stagnation. (Moran, 2003)

Palmberg, E. (2004). Not a fair trade. Sojourners Magazine, 33(6), 7-7.

Comments on the implications of the Central American Free Trade Agreement for developing countries. Argument against free trade agreements; Assessment of the possible effect of the free trade agreement on Nicaragua; Actions taken by church and civil society groups in Central America against the agreement.

Ransom, D. (2005). Fair trade for sale. New Internationalist, (377), 34-35.

Provides some insights into the history and evolution of the fair trade movement. Global justice movement and its implications for the international trading system; Improvement of the range, quality and availability of labeled fairtrade products; Commercial laws and fair trade specifications for businesses citing the case of Starbucks, Tesco and Nestles.

Raynolds, L. (2009). Mainstreaming fair trade coffee: From partnership to traceability. World Development, 37(6), 1083.

This article analyzes the recent growth of Fair Trade and the mainstreaming of this previously alternative arena. Focusing on coffee, I identify a continuum of buyers ranging from "mission-driven" enterprises that uphold alternative ideas and practices based on social, ecological, and place-based commitments, to "quality-driven" firms that selectively foster Fair Trade conventions to ensure reliable supplies of excellent coffee, to "market-driven" corporations that largely pursue commercial/industrial conventions rooted in price competition and product regulation. Using a commodity network approach, my analysis illuminates the impacts of diverse buyer relations on producer groups and how relations are in some cases shifting from partnership to traceability. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Raynolds, L. T. (2002). Consumer/Producer links in fair trade coffee networks. Sociologia Ruralis, 42(4), 404.

This article analyzes the multifaceted connections linking consumers and producers in expanding North/South Fair Trade coffee networks. I develop a commodity network framework that builds on the commodity chain tradition, integrating insights from cultural studies, actor-network theory, and conventions approaches. This framework illuminates how material and ideological relations are negotiated across production and consumption arenas. In the case of Fair Trade, progressive ideas and practices related to trust, equality, and global responsibility are intertwined with traditional commercial and industrial conventions. As I demonstrate, the negotiation of these divergent conventions shortens the social distance between Fair Trade coffee consumers and producers. I conclude that by re-linking consumers and producers, commodity network analysis provides a robust entré for academic inquiry and engagement in alternative food politics. (Raynolds, 2002)

Rousu, M. C., & Corrigan, J. R. (2008). Consumer preferences for fair trade foods: Implications for trade policy. Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm & Resource Issues, 23(2), 53-55.

The article focuses on free international trade and goods. Free international trade refers to absence of tariff and other barriers to trade. Free trade is opposed due to exploitation of labor and environment of the exporting country which is why stricter labor and environmental standards are proposed for countries exporting their products. Since consumers are not willing to pay for free trade designation as additional production costs are passed on to them, it is suggested that stricter standards should not be imposed on trade partners.

Available online: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/article.php?article=22

Sommerhoff, E. W. (2003). Fair trade. Architecture, 92(2), 19.

Focuses on the creation of multilateral trade liberalization policy in the field of architecture. Details on an accord that will promote mobility of architects in European Union countries and the U.S.; Principles of the agreement; Right of architects from Europe to acquire licenses to practice in the U.S.