Open AccessEconomic upgrading in global value chains
Author(s) -
Marília Bassetti Marcato,
Carolina Troncoso Baltar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
revista brasileira de inovação
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2178-2822
pISSN - 1677-2504
DOI - 10.20396/rbi.v19i0.8654359
Subject(s) - global value chain , productivity , value (mathematics) , perspective (graphical) , diversity (politics) , dimension (graph theory) , industrial organization , reflection (computer programming) , economics , business , economic geography , economic system , sociology , globalization , economic growth , computer science , market economy , mathematics , machine learning , artificial intelligence , anthropology , pure mathematics , programming language
This paper has critically documented a vast literature addressing the multi-layered outcomes associated with participating in global value chains (GVCs). In particular, this paper reviews and synthesizes the definitions and quantitative measures of one particular dimension of the GVC analysis that is two-fold: the economic and social upgrading. More specifically, we discuss the economic perspective of upgrading, which is usually associated with “moving into higher value-added stages”, and it is commonly assumed to be followed by positive spillovers regarding technology and productivity. This paper emphasizes the important diversity of definitions and measures within the GVC literature, considering it as a reflection, to a certain extent, of the absence of a systematic theoretical apparatus in the GVC literature. The paper concludes with some considerations on the role of policymakers in promoting social upgrading as an important topic in the GVC research agenda.