1. Introduction

This section introduces into the dynamics of global production networks from the perspective of Bangladesh’s little diversified economy. It puts recent disasters such as the collapse of Rana Plaza in April 2013 into a larger perspective of low-cost sourcing strategies of northern multinational companies. Against the backdrop of the garment industry being the central driver of Bangladesh’s economy, the leather sector has been picked as a case study to showcase the coordination of inter-firm linkages in a marginalised but globally integrated industry. This work identifies institutional limitations that constrain competitiveness, points to adaptation strategies of local producers and presents the potential for improvement along the supply chain. Questions are raised as to what enterprises are actively involved in the global leather production network. Different from studies examining trade flows from the Global South to northern consumption markets, this book focuses on power relationships between local lead firms and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) supplying and being subcontracted within local production networks. In particular, the conditions under which local MSMEs achieve exports are often overlooked and will be subject to analysis.