Examines whether the relocation of labour-intensive or unskilled assembly activities to developing countries raises overall skill requirements. Argues that these firms may stay dependent on the lead company in the international production network but could also be integrated into the global economy.

Humphrey J. and Schmitz H. (2002) How does insertion in global value chains affect upgrading in industrial clusters?, Reg. Studies 36, 1017-1027. What is the scope for local upgrading strategies where producers operate in global value chains? The literature on industrial clusters emphasizes the...

In Kenya, exports of fresh vegetables have grown rapidly in the past decade, but the employment impact of this business has been changing as a result of market conditions in the major export destination, the United Kingdom. Continued rapid growth in overall exports, an increase in post-harvest...

Countries referred to as “developing” are being urged more and more to reform their “investment climate”. It is often said that a “good” investment climate leads to both increased economic growth and reduced poverty. In these countries, corrupt government, clientelism, a lack of...

This book opens a fresh chapter in the debate on local enterprise clusters and their strategies for upgrading in the global economy. The authors employ a novel conceptual framework in their research on industrial clusters in Europe, Latin America and Asia and provide new perspectives and...

This book opens a fresh chapter in the debate on local enterprise clusters and their strategies for upgrading in the global economy. The authors employ a novel conceptual framework in their research on industrial clusters in Europe, Latin America and Asia and provide new perspectives and...

The extent of poverty reduction in Asia by 2015 will depend upon two linked issues: sustaining the current rates of economic growth and avoiding increases in income inequality. Rapid growth over the past 15 years has itself created three challenges for its continuation: inadequate infrastructure;...

Much of international trade is coordinated by the lead firms of Global Value Chains (GVCs) and regulated through global standards. The way in which this global governance is exercised has a significant impact on the organisation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) clusters and their...