Does digital technology enhance the global value chain position?

Abstract

Embedding new technology creates opportunities and challenges for the global value chain (GVC). Using country-level panel data from 59 economies in 2007–2018, we construct a fixed-effects model to investigate the relationship between digital technology and the GVC position. Moreover, we examine how digital technology affects the GVC position with a mediating model and consider the heterogeneity of this impact on GVC status. The main findings reveal a U-shaped relationship between digital technology and the GVC position, which means that, during the catch-up stage of digital technology, negative effects on input demand chains lead to a decline in GVC status, whereas, at a mature phase of technological development, positive effects on output supply chains enhance the GVC position. The impact of digital technology on the ascent in GVC status is mediated by productivity. Moreover, we analyze the different impacts of trade openness and economic development levels. Our findings suggest that countries with lower levels of economic development and high trade openness reach a U-shaped inflection point, accelerating their progression in the global value chain.