The evolution of value chains and inter-organizational networks in a global economy

Firms operate in more and more complex, dynamic, less predictable environments. They organize themselves in a globalized economy, which has become increasingly based on global value chains. At the same time, in order to be more competitive and efficient, more export-oriented and better able to enter into global markets, these companies steady intervene on several local, regional and global production networks. Consequently, value chains are increasingly interwoven and implicated in established territorial business (localized and global) networks. Their impacts on local environments therefore directly imply their responsibility though they be global so that they be Responsible Global Value Chains (RGVCs) rather than just economic Global Value Chains. This paper then describes the GVC approach through the local and regional inter-organizational networks, form a macro-micro economic viewpoint. We will discuss the literature and provide a theoretical new reflection, few developed in the field of management which is more focused on territorial clusters and innovations, on localized forms networks and more generally on inter-organizational networks. Our framework allows to answer to this crucial question: how to combine GVC, inter-organizational networks and globalization issues in a coherent theoretical approach ?