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Space, Place and Global Digital Work pp 11–30Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Production of ‘Placelessness’: Digital Service Work in Global Value Chains

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Part of the book series: Dynamics of Virtual Work ((DVW))

Abstract

This chapter explores the spatial dynamics of value chains and networks, the delocalisation and relocation of digital work and the degree of its local embeddedness. The main aim is to argue that ICT-intensive business functions and jobs are not as such highly mobile or independent from place. Rather, such features are usually the result of lengthy restructuring and reorganisation projects or processes in which ‘placelessness’ is being produced. We examine value chain dynamics and the delocalisation and relocation of digital work, drawing on three cases: software development, shared service centres and business process outsourcing, and crowdsourcing via online-platforms.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Jörg Flecker & Annika Schönauer

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  1. Jörg Flecker
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  2. Annika Schönauer
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst fur Soziologie, Univ of Vienna Inst fur Soziologie, Wien, Austria

    Jörg Flecker

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Flecker, J., Schönauer, A. (2016). The Production of ‘Placelessness’: Digital Service Work in Global Value Chains. In: Flecker, J. (eds) Space, Place and Global Digital Work. Dynamics of Virtual Work. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-48087-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-48087-3_2

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-48086-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-48087-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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