My research interests are located at the confluence of globalization, livelihoods and informality, particularly in southern Mexico. Recently, I have focused on the local implications of neoliberalism and globalization, specifically: changes in the nature of work and informal employment; access to credit as a result of the increasing integration in financial services; and the impacts of the globalization of food retailing on the organization of supply networks and the livelihoods of small-scale agricultural producers.

Recent papers

Biles, J.J. & T. Lindley. 2009. Globalization, geography and the liberation of overseas study. Journal of Geography 108 (forthcoming). LINK

Biles, J.J. 2009. Informal work in Latin America: recent debates and competing perspectives. Geography Compass 3, 1 (forthcoming). LINK

Biles, J.J. 2008. Informal work and livelihoods in Mexico: getting by or getting ahead? The Professional Geographer 60, 4, 541-555. LINK

Biles, J.J. 2008. Wal-Mart and the “supermarket revolution” in Mexico. Geographische Rundschau- International Edition 4, 2, 44-49. LINK

Biles, J.J. et al. 2007. Globalization of food retailing in southeastern Mexico: transformation of supply networks and consequences for small-scale agricultural producers. Journal of Latin American Geography 6, 2, 55-75. LINK

Biles, J.J. 2006. Globalization of food retailing and the consequences of walmartization in Mexico, in S. Brunn, ed.,Wal-Mart World: The World’s Biggest Corporation in the Global Economy. New York: Routledge (pp. 347-359). LINK

Biles, J.J. 2005. Globalization of banking and local access to financial resources: a case study from southeastern Mexico. The Industrial Geographer 2, 2, 159-173. LINK