Economic and Social Upgrading in Global Value Chains

“Finally, a set of analyses that explicitly brings power relations into the study of Global Value Chains. This excellent book highlights various dimensions of a critical but understudied feature: power asymmetries of both demand and supply at each stage, which give rise to rent seeking in the upper levels and reduce capacities for upgrading at the lower levels of the chain. Public policies are crucial in determining the outcomes, which makes this book essential reading for anyone interested in economic development.”

 — Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, USA. 

“This book is an important contribution to the debate on global value chains. It is particularly important because it takes the perspective of the Global South and shows the risks for developing countries integrating through global value chains in a global economy with massive power imbalances. It also gives some hope that risks canbe turned into success with strategic industrial and trade policies, social upgrading, strong international human rights due diligence regulations and a strong voice for workers.”

— Atle Høie, General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union 

This book investigates how global value chain governance, public institutions and strategies in the area of industrial policy and industrial relations by stakeholders such as national or global trade unions, governments, companies or international NGOs shape upgrading in the Global South. A special feature is its interdisciplinarity, combining sociological, economic, legal and political dimensions. Case studies systematically compare different industry trajectories. Furthermore, it encompasses far-reaching insights into the role of global value chains for development, economic catching-up of countries and socio-political aspects such as working conditions and interest representation.

Christina Teipen is Professor for social sciences with a focus on economic sociology at HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law).

Petra Dünhaupt is a research associate and lecturer at HWR Berlin.

Hansjörg Herr is Professor (retired) for supranational integration at HWR Berlin.

Fabian Mehl is a research associate and lecturer at HWR Berlin.