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Prof.Dr. Knorringa

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Prof.Dr. Peter Knorringa

Prof.Dr. Peter Knorringa

Human Resources and Local Development (SG3)

International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

Erasmus University Rotterdam

 

Professor of Private Sector & Development

 

T: +31 70 4260584

E: knorringa@remove-this.iss.nl

Room: 3.04


 

Profile

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Professional experience

Present position
Professor of Private Sector & Development
University Erasmus University Rotterdam
School International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
Department Human Resources and Local Development (SG3)
   

Research

My chair on Private Sector & Development focuses on the diverse roles and impacts of business on development. My past research has focused on small and medium scale enterprises in developing countries, operating in clusters and value chains. My present research agenda also includes the behaviour of large multinational companies, especially from China, India and Brazil. Lastly, I have always been fascinated by the survival strategies of very small and informal businesses.

I do not perceive private firms as either the ‘enemy’ or the ‘heroic deliverer’ of development. Instead, I aim to advance a more empirical and nuanced debate on where and when entrepreneurs and firms are more likely to contribute to a better balance among economic dynamism, sustainability and social responsibility.

I aim to investigate to what extent socially responsible and environmentally sustainable forms of development are possible under capitalism, and where and when these might be built upon a strengthened morality in the private sector itself. My own empirical research focuses on labour standards, CSR, ethical and fair trade, social entrepreneurship, and strategies to support survival businesses.

I have extensive experience in India and Vietnam, and have also worked in China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, South Africa, Uganda and Russia.

In the coming few years I will focus on three major activities:

  • Leader, Civic Innovation Research Initiative, one of the four ISS research programs
  • Principal researcher and coordinator, Leiden-Delft- Erasmus-theme on ‘Innovation and Technology Networks with Africa: Re-engineering the Bottom of the Pyramid’
  • Co-investigator and coordinator Consumer-Civil society work package, ESRC-funded research program on: ‘Rising Powers, Labour Standards and the Governance of Global Production Networks’

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Publications

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Article (14)
  • Berner, G.E., Gomez, G.M. & Knorringa, P. (2012). ‘Helping a large number of people become a little less poor’. The logic of survival entrepreneurs. European Journal of Development Research, 24(3), 382-396.
  • Grimm, M., Knorringa, P. & Lay, J. (2012). Constrained gazelles. High potentials in West Africa’s informal economy. World Development, 40(7), 1352-1368.
  • Berner, G.E., Gomez, G.M. & Knorringa, P. (2011). "Ein bisschen weniger arm": Die Logik der Subsistenzunternehmer. Peripherie. Zeitschrift für Politik und Ökonomie in der Dritten Welt, 121, 7-26.
  • Knorringa, P. & Minh Huong, N.T. (2011). Policy Choices for Vietnam's craft villages : value chain or livelihood approach? Enterprise Development and Microfinanace, 22(3), 184-195.
  • Knorringa, P. & Helmsing, A.H.J. (2008). Beyond an Enemy Perception: Unpacking and Engaging the Private Sector. Development and Change, 39(6), 1053-1062.
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2007). Unpacking Social Capital in Economic Development: How Social Relations Matter. Review of Social Economy, LXV(1), 107-135.
  • Berner, G.E. & Knorringa, P. (2007). The Logic of Survival Business. Development ISSues, 9(2), 15-17.
  • Knorringa, P. & Staveren, I.P. van (2007). Beyond Social Capital: a Critical Approach. Review of Social Economy, 65(1), 1-9.
  • Knorringa, P. & Pegler, L.J. (2006). Globalisation, Firm Upgrading and Impacts on Labour. Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 97(5), 470-479.
  • Knorringa, P. & Schmitz, H. (2000). Learning from Global Buyers. Journal of Development Studies, 37(2), 177-205.
  • Knorringa, P. (1999). Agra: An Old Cluster Facing the New Competition. World Development, 27(9), 1587-1604.
  • Knorringa, P. (1999). Artisan Labour in the Agra Footwear Industry: Continued Informality and Changing Threats. Contributions to Indian Sociology, 33(1), 303-328.
  • Knorringa, P. (1996). Operationalisation of Flexible Specialisation: Agra's Footwear Industry. Economic and Political Weekly, 31(52).
  • Knorringa, P. (1989). Industrial Linkages in a Growth Pole: An Analysis of the Small-Scale Sector in Hosur, South-India. Indian Journal of Regional Science, XXI(2), 25-46.
Book / Monograph / Book editorial (3)
Part of book - Chapter (30)
  • Otieno, G. & Knorringa, P. (2012). Localising Global Standards: Illustrative Examples from Kenya's Horticulture Sector. In M.P. van Dijk & J. Trienekens (Eds.), Global Value Chains: Linking Local Producers from Developing Countries to International Markets (pp. 119-135). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press and EADI.
  • Beers, C. van, Knorringa, P. & Leliveld, A (2012). Frugal Innovation in Africa: Tracking Unilever's Washing-powder Sachets. In J.-B. Gewald, A. Leliveld & I. Pesa (Eds.), Transforming Innovations in Africa: Explorative Studies on Appropriation in African Societies (pp. 59-78). Leiden, Boston: Brill.
  • Knorringa, P. (2011). Value chain responsibility in the global South. In S.M. Murshed, P Goulart & L.A. Serino (Eds.), South-South globalization : challenges and opportunities for development (pp. 194-208). London: Routledge.
  • Knorringa, P., Meijerink, G. & Schouten, G. (2011). Voluntary governance initiatives and the challenges of inclusion and upscaling. In A.H.J. Helmsing & S. Vellema (Eds.), Value chains, social inclusion and economic development (pp. 42-60). London: Routledge.
  • Knorringa, P. (2010). Reach and Depth of Responsible Production: Towards a Research Agenda. In A. Posthuma & D. Nathan (Eds.), Labour in Global Production Networks in India (pp. 79-97). Delhi: Oxford University Press (India).
  • Helmsing, A.H.J. & Knorringa, P. (2009). Enterprise Development Interventions by Dutch Development NGOs: Is there increased involvement of private sector actors and does that make a difference? In P. Hoebink (Ed.), The Netherlands Yearbook on International Cooperation 2008 (pp. 105-128). Assen: Van Gorcum.
  • Knorringa, P. (2009). Responsible Production in Africa: The Rise of China as a Threat or Opportunity? In M.P. van Dijk (Ed.), The New Presence of China in Africa (pp. 177-197). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press/EADI.
  • Knorringa, P. (2008). Industrial Cluster Trajectories and Opportunities for Endogenous Upgrading in Developing Countries. In M.D. Parrilli, P. Bianchi & R. Sugden (Eds.), High Technology, Productivity and Networks. A Systemic Approach to SME Development (pp. 193-208). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Knorringa, P. (2008). LED and CSR: Window-dressing or Breakthrough? In Mesopartner (Ed.), Milestones in a Process of Innovation, Change and Development: a Birthday Anthology (pp. 243-258). Buenos Aires, Dortmund: Creative Common License.
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2008). Introduction to Beyond Social Capital: a Critical Approach. In Beyond Social Capital. A Critical Approach (pp. 1-10). London: Routledge Books.
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2008). Unpacking Social Capital in Economic Development: How Social Relations Matter. In Beyond Social Capital. A Critical Approach (pp. 107-136). London: Routledge Books.
  • Pegler, L.J. & Knorringa, P. (2007). Integrating Labour Issues in Global Value Chain Analysis: Exploring Implications for Labour Research and Unions. In V. Schmidt (Ed.), Trade union responses to globalization: trends, challenges and responses (pp. 35-51). Geneva: ILO.
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2007). Social Capital and Social Economics. In P. Riordan (Ed.), Values in Public Life: Aspects of Common Goods (Studies in Religion, Ethics and Public Life) (pp. 53-76). Berlin & NewBrunswick & London: LIT VERLAG and Transaction Publishers.
  • Pegler, L.J. & Knorringa, P. (2007). Integrating Labour Issues in Global Value Chain Analysis: Exploring Implications for Labour Research and Unions. In V. Schmidt (Ed.), Trade union responses to globalization: trends, challenges and responses (pp. 35-51). Geneva: ILO.
  • Knorringa, P. & Meyer-Stamer, J. (2007). Local Development, Global Value Chains and Latecomer Development. In J. Haar & J. Meyer-Stamer (Eds.), Small firms, global markets : competitive challenges in the new economy (pp. 18-37). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Knorringa, P. (2005). Trayectorias De Clusters Urbanos Y Oportunidades De Mejora Endógena En Países En Vías De Desarrollo. In R. Sugden, M.D. Parrilli & P. Bianchi (Eds.), Alta Tecnología, productividad y Redes: un Enfoque Sistémico para el Desarrollo de las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (pp. 307-324). Mexico DC: Instituto di Politica per lo Sviluppo Industriale.
  • Knorringa, P. (2005). An Italian Model and an Indian Reality: Searching for a Way-Out of Deteriorating Sweatshop Conditions. In K. Das (Ed.), Indian Industrial Clusters (pp. 21-36). Aldershot: Ashgate.
  • Knorringa, P. (2002). Urban Cluster Trajectories in Developing Countries: Beyond the Industrial District Model. In (pp. 63-78) Aldershot/Brookfield: Ashgate.
  • Knorringa, P. (2002). Cluster Trajectories and the Likelihood of Endogenous Upgrading. In (pp. 48-65) Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
  • Knorringa, P. (2001). Beyond the Industrial District Model: Urban Cluster Trajectories. In (pp. 245-258) Amsterdam: AGIDS, University of Amsterdam.
  • Knorringa, P. (1999). Un Modello Italiano e una Realta Indiana: l'industria calzaturiera ad Agra. In (pp. 131-154) Bologna: Societa Editrice il Mulino.
  • Knorringa, P. (1999). Artisan Labour in the Agra Footwear Industry: Continued Informality and Changing Threats. In (pp. 303-328) London: Sage.
  • Knorringa, P. (1999). Trust and Distrust in Artisan - Trader Relations in the Agra Footwear Industry, India. In (pp. 67-80) Amsterdam: Spinhuis.
  • Knorringa, P. & Meyer-Stamer, J. (1999). New Dimensions in Local Enterprise Co-operation and Development: From Clusters to Industrial Districts. In (pp. 89-115) Campinas, Brazil: Universidade Estadual de Campinas.
  • Knorringa, P. (1998). Barriers to Flexible Specialization in Agra's Footwear Industry. In (pp. 283-307) London: Sage.
  • Knorringa, P. (1996). Small Enterprises in the Indian Footwear Industry (Madras & Amsterdam: Central Leather Research Institute & University of Amsterdam). In (pp. 164-199) Amsterdam: University of Amsterdam.
  • Knorringa, P. (1994). Lack of Interaction Between Traders and Producers in the Agra Footwear Cluster. In (pp. 71-83) London: Intermediate Technology Publications.
  • Knorringa, P. (1993). Subcontracting: the Incorporation of Small Producers in Dynamic Industrial Networks. In: I.S.A. Baud and G.A. de Bruijne (eds.) - Gender, Small-Scale Industry and Development Policy. In London: Intermediate Technology Publications.
  • Knorringa, P. (1992). Industrial Policy and the Role of Small Scale Industries. In: J.J.F. Heins & E.N. Meijer (eds.) - Factories and Families. A Study of a Growth Pole in South India. In New Delhi: Manohar Publications.
  • Knorringa, P., Bruijne, G.A. de & Sommeling, H.J. (1990). Regional Development Policy in Tamil Nadu: Some Results of Investigations. In (pp. 25-35) New Delhi: Heritage Publishers.
Report (19)
  • Grimm, M., Knorringa, P. & Lay, J. (2012). Constrained gazelles. High potentials in West Africa’s informal economy. (ISS working papers. General series537 ). The Hague: International Institute of Social Studies.
  • Knorringa, P. & Berner, G.E. (2008). Evaluation of Woord en Daad SMED Activities carried out in Cooperation with CSS in Bangladesh. The Hague: ISS.
  • Knorringa, P. (2007). Asian Drivers and the Future of Responsible Production and Consumption: Exploring a Research Question and Hypotheses for Future Research. (ISS Working Papers, General Series442 ). The Hague: ISS.
  • Dietz, T., Ruijter, A. de, Dongen, E. van, Helmsing, A.H.J. & Knorringa, P. (2006). Evaluation of the Theme based Co-financing Programme (TMF) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Synthesis Report. The Hague: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2006). Social Capital for Industrial Development: Operationalizing the Concept. Vienna: UNIDO.
  • Knorringa, P. (2003). Fair Trade Effect Study: Pilot-phase Synthesis Report. Report for the Dutch Fair Trade Organisation. The Hague: ISS.
  • Helmsing, A.H.J. & Knorringa, P. (2002). Contours of an LED Strategy for Durban: Connecting External Positioning with Internal Transformation (Report submitted to the EU Durban project, Durban. March 2002). : .
  • Truong, T. & Knorringa, P. (2001). Micro Enterprises in Vietnam's Industrialisation: A Gender Analysis of the Policy Environment and its Implications on Training (Report submitted to MSM-SAIL). : .
  • Schmitz, H. & Knorringa, P. (1999). Learning from Global Buyers. Helsinki: IDS.
  • Knorringa, P. (1998). Cluster Trajectories in Developing Countries. : .
  • Berner, G.E. & Knorringa, P. (1998). Poverty Alleviation in South and Southeast Asia: Nepal Refresher Course Report. The Hague: ISS.
  • Knorringa, P. (1997). Artisan Labour in the Agra Footwear Industry, India. : .
  • Knorringa, P. (1997). Transferability of Industrial District Models and Policies. : .
  • Knorringa, P. (1997). Trust and Distrust in Artisan-trader Relations in the Agra Footwear Industry, India. : .
  • Knorringa, P. (1997). Clustered Indian Shoemakers facing the New Competition. : .
  • Knorringa, P. (1992). Importance of Trust in the Subsector Approach: An Example from the Footwear Industry in Agra, India. (Research Memorandum No. 1992-43. Amsterdam: Faculty of Economics and Econometrics, Free University). Amsterdam: Free University Amsterdam.
  • Knorringa, P. & Kox, H. (1992). Transaction Regimes: An Instrument for Research in Industrial Organization (Research Memorandum No. 1992-34. Amsterdam: Faculty of Economics and Econometrics, Free University). Amsterdam: Free University Amsterdam.
  • Knorringa, P. & Sandee, H. (1989). Changes in the Organization of Marketing and Production in Rural Industry. (UPPW Working Paper, No.24. Salatiga: Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Indonesia). : .
  • Knorringa, P. (1988). The Small-Scale Sector in a Growth Pole. A Case Study of Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India (MA Thesis published as: Working Document, no.6. Amsterdam: Centre for Asian Studies Amsterdam). : .
Inaugural speech (1)
  • Knorringa, P. (2010). A Balancing Act: Private Actors in Development Processes.. Inaugural lecture delivered on 4 November 2010, upon the acceptance of the Endowed Chair of Private Sector and Development, at the International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus Univ. Rotterdam. Rotterdam: Erasmus University, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS).
Doctoral thesis (1)
  • Knorringa, P.. Economics of Collaboration in Producer-Trader Relations: Transaction Regimes Between Market and Hierarchy in the Agra Footwear Cluster, India. Amsterdam (Amsterdam: Free University Amsterdam). Prom./coprom.: .
Other output (9)
  • Knorringa, P., Berner, G.E. & Gomez, G. (2008). The Logic of Survival Entrepreneurs and the Moral Economy of the Slum (Paper presented at Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: Concepts, Measurements, and Impacts, UNU-WIDER, Helsinki, August 21-23 2008).
  • Knorringa, P., Berner, G.E. & Gomez, G.M. (2008). The Logic of Survival Entrepreneurs and the Moral Economy of the Slum. Conference on Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: Concepts, Measurements, and Impacts: Helsinki (2008, augustus 21 - 2008, augustus 23).
  • Knorringa, P. (2007). The Reach and Depth of Responsible Production (Paper presented at the conference on 'Production Networks and Decent Work in India' organised by ILO in cooperation with Institute of Human Development (New Delhi, India) and Institute of Social and Economic Change (Bangalore, India), 18-20 November 2007).
  • Knorringa, P. & Staveren, I.P. van (2006). Social Capital for Industrial Development: Operationalizing the concept.
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2006). Social Capital in Economic Development: How Social Relations Matter (Paper presented at the Economics Department of University of Utrecht, Utrecht, 18 January 2006).
  • Staveren, I.P. van & Knorringa, P. (2006). Social Capital: How Social Relations Matter (Paper presented at the seminar on 'Values in Social Life' organised by Theological Department University of London - Heythrop College. London, 25 February 2006).
  • Knorringa, P. (2005). Trust and Networks of Entrepreneurs in the Footwear Industry in Ethiopia and Vietnam. Paper presented to European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management, 3rd Workshop on Trust, 28-29 October, Amsterdam.
  • Knorringa, P. & Pegler, L.J. (2003). Shifting Perceptions of Labour Rights and Conditions: SMEs in Global Value Chains (Paper presented at the EADI Small Enterprise Development and Employment Workshop). The EADI Small Enterprise Development and Employment Workshop: Amsterdam (2003, januari 17 - 2003, januari 18).
  • Knorringa, P. & Pegler, L.J. (2003). Shifting Perceptions of Labor Rights and Conditions: SMEs in Global Value Chains (Paper presented at the IPRW 2 Workshop, RLDS at Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, 28-29 April 2003; paper is an updated version of the EADI paper presented in Amsterdam, 17-18 January 2003). IPRW2 Workshop, RLDS: .