Global Value Chains, Innovation, and Performance : Firm-Level Evidence from the Great Recession

This paper takes advantage of a newly-available survey to analyze the behavior of Global Value Chains (GVCs) in the aftermath of the Great Recession. The analysis exploits a rich availability of information to design a comprehensive taxonomy of GVC participation modes and explore their impact on firms' innovativeness and performance. Our findings highlight relevant heterogeneities in how GVC participants fared the crisis. While high-skill relational suppliers display a significant propensity to engage in innovative activities and R&D projects, other modes of GVC participation have no premium compared to domestic companies. This heterogeneity is also reflected in differential productivity and sales growth. Compared to the pre-crisis trends, we document a severe demand shock for low-skill and subordinated firms, while relational GVCs appear to be somewhat sheltered from the effects of the crisis