NETWORKING, TECHNOLOGY, AND GOVERNANCE - LESSONS FROM NEW-ZEALAND HORTICULTURE

Cooperative business networking and technological learning have been t reated as discrete features of successful regional economies. It is ar gued that both may be understood as governance solutions within the re spective global commodity chains. Empirical evidence is examined of fi ve export-oriented horticultural industries in Hawke's Bay, New Zealan d. Within these industries a number of instances of networking and tec hnological learning are identified and are found to be operating in a variety of regulatory contexts. Evidence from field interviews and thr ee case studies, in particular, reveals the governance relations in ef fect in these commodity chains and how these lead to solutions such as networking and technological learning. These examples are also employ ed to support a more refined understanding both of governance and of r egulation.