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Comprehensive Review on Social and Environmental Practices in GVCs

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  • Belabbas Iméne

    (Zhan SU Laval University, Canada)

Abstract

Global value chains (GVCs) have become a key framework for understanding the complexities of international production divisions and sustainability outcomes. Despite their potential for enhancing sustainability, GVCs often present mixed economic, environmental, and social impacts due to the specialization and scale effects of offshoring and international trade. This paper systematically reviews the literature on sustainability in GVCs, focusing on the interplay between economic, environmental, and social outcomes. Drawing on a content analysis of over 74 articles published between 2010 and 2023, we identify key trends, theoretical frameworks, and gaps in the current body of knowledge. Our findings reveal that while GVCs can enhance sustainability and reduce social inequalities through improved technologies and practices, they also contribute to carbon leakage and the uneven distribution of social benefits. We propose a conceptual integrative model that incorporates these findings and offers directions for future research, particularly in addressing industry-specific sustainability challenges and the need for more equitable social and environmental outcomes in both emerging and advanced economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Belabbas Iméne, 2024. "Comprehensive Review on Social and Environmental Practices in GVCs," Valahian Journal of Economic Studies, Sciendo, vol. 15(2), pages 1-14.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:vaecst:v:15:y:2024:i:2:p:1-14:n:1001
    DOI: 10.2478/vjes-2024-0011
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gary Gereffi & Joonkoo Lee, 2016. "Economic and Social Upgrading in Global Value Chains and Industrial Clusters: Why Governance Matters," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(1), pages 25-38, January.
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    3. Magali Delmas & Ivan Montiel, 2009. "Greening the Supply Chain: When Is Customer Pressure Effective?," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(1), pages 171-201, March.
    4. Carlos Aguiar de Medeiros & Nicholas Trebat, 2017. "Inequality and Income Distribution in Global Value Chains," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(2), pages 401-408, April.
    5. Szymczak, Sabina, 2024. "The impact of global value chains on wages, employment, and productivity: a survey of theoretical approaches," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 58, pages 1-9.
    6. Sabina Szymczak, 2024. "The impact of global value chains on wages, employment, and productivity: a survey of theoretical approaches," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 58(1), pages 1-25, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    GVC; sustainability; governance models; systematic review;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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