Global value chains in the electronics industry : was the crisis a window of opportunity for developing countries ?

Abstract

This paper presents evidence of the importance of electronics global chains (GVCs) in the global economy, and discusses the effects of the recent economic crisis on the industry. The analysis focuses on how information is exchanged and introduces the concept of value chain modularity. The authors identify three key firm level actors -- lead firms, contract manufacturers, and platform leaders -- and discuss their development, or co-evolution in the context of global integration. Company, cluster, and country case studies are then presented to illustrate how supplier capabilities in various places have developed in the context of electronics global chains. The findings identify some of the persistent limits to upgrading experienced by even the most successful firms in the developing world. Four models used by developing country firms to overcome these limitations are presented: (1) global expansion though acquisition of declining brands (emerging multinationals); (2) separation of branded product divisions from contract manufacturing (original design manufacturing (ODM) spinoffs); (3) successful mixing of contract manufacturing and branded products (platform brands) for contractors with customers not in the electronic hardware business; and (4) the founding of factory-less product firms that rely on global chains for a range of inputs, including production (emerging factory-less start-ups).