Dutchak O. Labor power reproduction at Ukrainian garment factories in global supply chains.

This research develops a theoretical and methodological approach to the study of labor power reproduction. The dissertation addresses the scientific problem which lies in the contradiction between the lack of a comprehensive sociological explication of conditions, sources and structural factors of labor power reproduction at Ukrainian garment factories which are a part of the global supply chains, on one hand, and, on the onther hand, the need to ensure an adequate level of its reproduction. Based on the research results, a conceptual schema of studying conditions, sources and structural factors of labor power reproduction in global supply chains is developed. This conceptual schema is approbated on the material from Ukrainian garment factories which are a part of global supply chains of Western brands. Within the proposed conceptual schema, an evaluation of the conditions of labor power reproduction is made through explication of resources for the reproduction. It is suggested that along with material resources, temporal resources must be also taken into account and integrated into Marxist theory of labor power reproduction. This resource is a peculiar one as it is limited by natural daily frames and it is relative because time availability depends on the process of production and on additional sources of reproduction. Workers can obtain material and temporal resources from various production-related and additional sources. Market sources include formal (formal employment, banks) and informal (additional informal jobs) sources. State sources include state regulatory sources (labor legislation), state infrastructural sources (public infrastructure which supports reproductive labor) and state social security (social payments). Formal and informal social networks and self-production of goods are other additional sources for labor power reproduction. The research results support the assumption of Marxist social reproduction theory, demonstrating how a broadening of the focus from the production process to a number of activities beyond production can contribute to understanding labor power reproduction.