FLEXIBLE THEORY AND FLEXIBLE REGULATION - COLLABORATION AND COMPETITION IN THE MCLAREN VALE WINE INDUSTRY IN SOUTH-AUSTRALIA

A case study of the McLaren Vale wine industry is used to challenge fo ur areas of the regulation debate. First, the uniqueness of some of th e key features underpinning the periodisations of accumulation regimes and their associated modes of social regulation is questioned. Second , concern is raised over the extent to which 'new industrial districts ' can really be described as engaging in 'new' practices. Third, the i mportance of local regulatory mechanisms is emphasised. Last, the impo rtance of nonstate, nonlegislative forms of regulation are highlighted .