Title: Mapping integrative trade: conceptualising and measuring global value chains

Authors: Timothy J. Sturgeon

Addresses: Industrial Performance Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, E38-104, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

Abstract: The concept of Global Value Chains (GVCs) provides a pragmatic and parsimonious framework as we seek answers to questions about the dynamic organisation of global industries. In this paper, I discuss the evolution of GVC, the framework, especially the motivations for supplementing the |buyer-driven| and |producer-driven| modes of Global Commodity Chain (GCC) governance developed by Gary Gereffi in the 1990s with an industry-neutral, non-empirical framework. I go on to briefly present the features of the GVC governance framework, and lay out its interdisciplinary theoretical underpinnings. I then provide more detail on the most novel form of GVC governance, value chain modularity. Finally, I point out the need to develop new metrics to map GVCs and propose a generic classification of business functions to accomplish this.

Keywords: global value chains; GVCs; integrative trade; value chain modularity; business functions; global commodity chains; GCC governance; GVC governance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTLID.2008.019973

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2008 Vol.1 No.3, pp.237 - 257

Published online: 19 Aug 2008 *

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