International workshop
The Manchester 2015 International workshop took place on Tuesday 30th June – Wednesday 1st July, bringing together a small number of leading international and UK academics working on the issue of ‘Global Production and Local Outcomes’. This collection of researchers are using the distinct frameworks of GVCs (international development); GPNs (economic geography) and ‘global factories’ (international business). A number of key policy actors are also invited from multi-lateral trade organisations, private sector and key global civil society organisations.
The 2 day International Workshop was organised as follows:
The first day was academically driven, aiming to learn about the dynamics of global production from the distinct conceptual frameworks of GVC, GPN and IB perspectives. It asked how can research in this field can be improved through a multidisciplinary engagement? What empirical insights does recent research have to offer on our understanding of global production and local outcomes, and the consequences for global and local governance? What are the implications of GVC/GPN/IB research for policy actors in improving governance outcomes at the local scale of production? To this end, leading international and UK academics produced a brief concept note and/or paper, outlining their thinking on these issues and future avenues for research. 
The second day was policy driven, with a focus on global sourcing and how future research can better inform policy actors and practitioners. It asked, how can governance be more effective in ensuring positive local outcomes from local production? What research tools would enable better understanding of processes of change and more effective strategies and policies?