Logistics and global value chains: In Puebla’s automotive sector

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to analyze the role played by logistics in the reconfiguration of space, particularly in global value chains (GVC), on a production scale and merchandise circulation, as well as to reflect on the transformations in the dynamics of social life. The automotive sector in Puebla, which includes the automotive and auto parts industry, is taken as a case study. This research is carried out based on a geospatial analysis, through maps, in which it is observed how much the environment has changed the automotive sector inserted in the CGV, in addition, it incorporates interviews with testimonies of the workers and makes a theoretical analysis of the most important elements. Since the arrival of the VW assembly plant, the landscape of the area has changed drastically in a relatively short time, going from large fields and crops to a fully industrialized area. The impact has been such that the entire environment outside the company has changed, with the construction of numerous communication routes, with housing developments, etc. These transformations have taken place in order to satisfy the needs of the plant: first, to achieve the easy transfer of goods finals and inputs; and second, looking for the workers to Logística y cadenas gLobaLes de vaLor: en eL sector automotor de PuebLa267 settle, like the companies, as close as possible to have easy and immediate access to the labor force.