Global Value Chains and Development Redefining the Contours of 21st Century Capitalism

Globalization has transformed how nations, firms and workers compete in the international economy over the past half century. This book by Gary Gereffi, one of the founders of the global value chains (GVC) framework, traces the emergence of arguably the most influential approach used to analyze globalization and its impacts. It studies the conceptual foundations of GVC analysis, the twin pillars of 'governance' and 'upgrading', along with detailed case studies of China, Mexico and other emerging economies as main beneficiaries of export-oriented industrialization, and addresses potential solutions to the deleterious impact of globalization on workers and communities.

Foreword Pascal Lamy; 1. The emergence of global value chains: ideas, institutions and research communities; Part I. Foundations of the Global Value Chain Framework: 2. The organization of buyer-driven global commodity chains: how US retailers shape overseas production networks; 3. International trade and industrial upgrading in the apparel commodity chain; 4. The governance of global value chains with John Humphrey and Timothy J. Sturgeon; Part II. Expanding the Governance and Upgrading Dimensions in GVCs: 5. The global economy: organization, governance, and development; 6. Local clusters in global chains: the causes and consequences of export dynamism in Torreon's blue jeans industry with Jennifer Bair; 7. Development models and industrial upgrading in China and Mexico; 8. Economic and social upgrading in global production networks: a new paradigm for a changing world with Stephanie Barrientos and Arianna Rossi; 9. Regulation and economic globalization: prospects and limits of private governance with Frederick Mayer; 10. Economic and social upgrading in global value chains: why governance matters with Joonkoo Lee; Part III. Policy Issues and Challenges: 11. Global value chain analysis: a primer (second edition) with Karina Fernandez-Stark; 12. Global value chains, development and emerging economies; 13. Risks and opportunities of participation in global value chains with Xubei Luo; 14. Global value chains in a post-Washington consensus world; 15. Protectionism and global value chains; Index.

This book traces the emergence of arguably the most influential approach used to analyze globalization and its impacts. It studies the conceptual foundations of global value chains (GVC) analysis, and the twin pillars of 'governance' and 'upgrading', along with detailed case studies of China, Mexico and other emerging economies.

Gary Gereffi is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center on Globalization, Governance, and Competitiveness at Duke University, North Carolina, where he teaches courses in economic sociology, globalization and comparative development, and international competitiveness. His research interests deal with the competitive strategies of global firms, the governance of global value chains, economic and social upgrading, and the emerging global knowledge economy.