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Deepening or delinking? Innovative capacity and global value chain participation in the ICT sectors

Author

Listed:
  • Lema, Rasmus

    (Aalborg University, and University of Johannesburg)

  • Pietrobelli, Carlo

    (UNU-MERIT, and University Roma Tre)

  • Rabellotti, Roberta

    (University of Pavia, and Aalborg University)

  • Vezzani, Antonio

    (University Roma Tre)

Abstract

Innovation trajectories in global value chains can take highly differentiated pathways. Firms and other organisations operating in a sector in a given country may gain or lose innovative capacity over time compared to their peers in other countries. In this paper we address the question: do stylised trajectories emerge from the analysis of countries' relative innovative capacity and global value chain participation? We draw explorative insights from a cluster analysis of 45 countries on the subsectors of the information and communication technology industry: hardware and software. Our analysis uncovers remarkable differences across sectors and countries. We identify different trajectories and discuss the sub-sectoral specificities which contribute to explaining these differences. The association between the strengthening of innovative capacity and deeper insertion in global value chains applies to only a handful of countries and only in the software subsector. These findings raise questions for future research on innovation in global value chains.

Suggested Citation

  • Lema, Rasmus & Pietrobelli, Carlo & Rabellotti, Roberta & Vezzani, Antonio, 2021. "Deepening or delinking? Innovative capacity and global value chain participation in the ICT sectors," MERIT Working Papers 2021-007, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2021007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nenci, Silvia & Fusacchia, Ilaria & Giunta, Anna & Montalbano, Pierluigi & Pietrobelli, Carlo, 2022. "Mapping global value chain participation and positioning in agriculture and food: stylised facts, empirical evidence and critical issues," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 11(2), July.
    2. Caliari, Thiago & Ribeiro, Leonardo Costa & Pietrobelli, Carlo & Vezzani, Antonio, 2023. "Global value chains and sectoral innovation systems: An analysis of the aerospace industry," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 36-48.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Global value chains; Innovation capacity; Innovation trajectories; Hardware; Software; ICT;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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