Abstract

MANCINI, Matías E.. Global Value Chains and Innovation Patterns in Developing Countries: The SMES in Argentina. Econ: teor. práct [online]. 2016, n.45, pp.5-37. ISSN 2448-7481.

The international fragmentation of production and the emergence of global production systems have created new challenges for SMES in developing countries. The literature of global value chains has indicated the opportunities and obstacles to improve skills in activities (such as R&D and design) that define the multinational companies' core competencies. Micro empirical studies which analyze the association between international integration and firm´s innovation activities, do not consider this contributions. Based on a sample of Argentinian SMES, this paper attempts to integrate the two approaches through a differentiation of the various innovation patterns of the SMES. A model is estimated to examine if the integration into global value chains affects the type of innovation patterns. Through this model, upgrading opportunities for firms from developing countries are analyzed.

Keywords : Argentine SMES; global value chains; upgrading; developing countries; innovation.