Exploring the interaction between Business & Development: The Garment Industry in Southern Africa and Enclave Development

Abstract:

The study explores how and why the efforts of different actors in the garment industry in Southern Africa have led to restricted, partial (Enclave) type of development? The study discusses ‘Enclave Development’ in contrast to the policy and development visions of the garment industry as ‘foot-in-the-door’ industry providing the first step in establishing a manufacturing base for wider industrialization, creating (decent) jobs, ensuring income generation and eventually contributing to (social) development. The study applies an integrated, multi-scalar perspective bridging a gap within Business and Development studies among disconnected literatures on firm level theory, labour studies, industrial policies and development sociology. Scrutinizing the similarities and differences between the garment industries in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, the research aims to fill this gap through in-depth empirical investigation contributing to the theoretical discussions on Enclave development.