Search Results (48)

High-quality agricultural development (HQAD) in China is essential to achieving Chinese-style modernization, which represents a uniquely Chinese path to modernization characterized by coordinated development across economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological dimensions. Against the backdrop of accelerating digitalization in global value chains (GVCs), exploring how it influences China’s HQAD carries significant theoretical value and policy implications. This study, for the first time, integrates GVC digitalization and HQAD into a unified analytical framework. Utilizing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2009 to 2020, it empirically examines the relationship between them and the underlying mechanisms. GVC digitalization is measured with the interaction term between provincial digital GVC participation and global digitalization level, while HQAD is comprehensively assessed using a multi-dimensional evaluation indicator system constructed based on the new development philosophy, employing the entropy weight TOPSIS method. The findings reveal that GVC digitalization significantly promotes HQAD in China. For every one-standard-deviation increase in the degree of digitalization, the level of HQAD increases by an average of approximately 0.02 percentage points. Mechanism analysis further identifies industrial structure upgrading and rural integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries as two crucial transmission pathways. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that this promoting effect is more pronounced in major grain-marketing regions, provinces with better digital infrastructure, and those with higher levels of human capital. This research provides new empirical evidence for understanding agricultural transformation in the digital era and offers policy insights for leveraging GVC digitalization to advance HQAD. Full article

Amidst the polycrisis of 2018–2024, Asia-Pacific trade flows exhibited a structural resilience that contrasts with traditional theoretical predictions of severe trade contraction under high uncertainty. This study investigates these resilience dynamics using a structural gravity model estimated via the Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) approach. The analysis utilizes a balanced panel of 14 key regional economies (N = 4914), explicitly disaggregated into geographic (ASEAN-6 vs. non-ASEAN) and global value chain (high vs. low GVC intensity) subgroups to capture heterogeneous responses. The empirical results confirm that economic policy uncertainty (EPU) acts as a significant trade friction (β = −3.371), consistent with the wait-to-invest mechanism of real options theory. However, this effect is heterogeneous and significantly mitigated by institutional frameworks. We identify a robust institutional shield effect, where participation in trade agreements effectively neutralizes the adverse transmission of policy shocks (interaction coefficient = 3.396). Furthermore, this study uncovers a structural break during periods of extreme geopolitical conflict, characterized by a convex U-shaped relationship between uncertainty and trade. This pattern provides macro-level evidence of a behavioral shift in regional supply chains from a just-in-time cost-efficiency optimization model to a just-in-case security maximization paradigm, consistent with precautionary inventory accumulation. These findings underscore the critical role of modern trade pacts as institutional credibility anchors and the necessity of adaptive strategies in navigating heightened macroeconomic volatility. Full article

The technological revolution and industrial transformation led by digital technologies are driving the shift from global value chains (GVCs) to digital global value chains (DGVCs). To address the challenge of global climate change while achieving economic growth, many countries are prioritizing practical energy-saving and emission reduction measures, while simultaneously seeking greater trade gains through participation in digital GVCs and the international division of labor. This study examines whether participation in DGVCs reduces carbon emissions. Using balanced panel data covering 62 countries from 2007 to 2021, we employ a Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model to investigate the nonlinear relationship between DGVC participation and CO₂ emissions embodied in digital exports (EEDE). The empirical results reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship, indicating that DGVC participation increases emissions below a digitalization threshold but reduces emissions beyond this threshold. These findings provide new evidence for the dual role of digitalization in shaping trade-related emissions and highlight the importance of stage-specific strategies. Policy implications emphasize that less-digitized economies must prioritize breaking free from carbon lock-in by pursuing green transformation alongside digital expansion. The study deepens the understanding of the trade–environment nexus in the digital era and provides actionable insights for aligning digital economic development with global climate goals. Full article

As global value chains integrate firms operating under varied institutional contexts and distinct technological capabilities, the uniform adoption of green standards becomes challenging. A “one-size-fits-all” sustainability approach often fails to account for the voids faced by firms in different contexts participating in one value chain, particularly in developing economies an area where academic research remains limited and fragmented. This research gap is the motivation for the present study. Through a systematic review of 56 articles, this paper examines how technological gaps and institutional voids in global value chains (GVCs) affect firms’ capacity to leverage environmental performance across different national and organizational contexts. Building on this synthesis, we develop an integrative conceptual framework that elucidates these dynamics and offers actionable insights for managers seeking to navigate environmental performance in heterogeneous institutional and technological settings. Our findings contribute to the literature on sustainable GVCs and guide practitioners aiming to foster effective cross-border collaborations that enhance environmental performance. Full article

This paper examines Mexico’s integration into Global Value Chains (GVCs) and its implications for structural change over the period 1995–2020. Using a multiregional input–output framework, the analysis decomposes gross exports into domestic and foreign value added and combines these indicators with weighted forward and backward production linkages to assess the relationship between sectoral GVC participation patterns and sectors’ roles within the domestic production structure. The results show that Mexico’s integration into GVCs has been characterized by strong and persistent backward participation, reflecting a high dependence on imported intermediate inputs, alongside comparatively lower and more stable forward participation. Multi-stage integration has been particularly relevant in a limited number of manufacturing activities—most notably in the automotive sector—both in terms of its contribution to domestic value added and its dynamism. However, this form of integration has remained highly concentrated, and changes in sectoral GVC participation have not translated into generalized shifts in the dynamic hierarchy of sectors. Sectoral roles within the production structure exhibit a high degree of persistence over time, with only a small number of nongeneralized cases of upgrading. By jointly examining GVC participation typologies and sectoral linkage dynamics, the paper contributes to bridging trade-in-value-added analyses and structuralist approaches to productive change. From a policy perspective, while the results do not establish causal relationships, they point to differentiated structural patterns with relevant implications for industrial policy. Overall, the analysis suggests that deeper integration into GVCs, in the absence of targeted industrial policies, does not by itself guarantee structural transformation or sustained gains in domestic value added. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s “triple carbon” goals, carbon peaking by 2030, carbon reduction by 2035, and carbon neutrality by 2060, examining the impacts of the clean energy equipment manufacturing industry’s (CEEMI’s) imports on carbon emissions holds significant practical importance for promoting sustainable development. Based on provincial panel data from 2001 to 2023, we employed a STIRPAT model to analyze how the CEEMI’s imports affect China’s carbon emissions. We further explored the sustainable transformation mechanism from two perspectives, global value chain (GVC) participation and green technological progress. The results indicate that a 1% increase in imports leads to a 0.1312% reduction in carbon emissions. Mechanism tests show that imports lower emissions primarily by increasing backward GVC participation and promoting green patent innovation. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the emission-abating effects are more pronounced in high-income and industry-dominated provinces, and that imports of lithium batteries exhibit stronger emission-abating effects than those of wind turbines and solar PVs. Full article

Global economic developments are currently facing economic fluctuations and the climate change crisis, which demand a development approach that integrates growth with environmental sustainability. Although participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs) has become the backbone of the global economy, many countries, including Indonesia and most ASEAN countries, are still in upstream positions with high carbon intensity and low added value. This condition hinders sustainable economic growth and contributes to increased global emissions. This study aims to analyze how the position of the industrial sector in the GVCs can drive sustainable green economic growth. Using data from five ASEAN countries for the 2010–2023 period, this study employed the Generalized Method of Moments (GMMs) dynamic panel model to address the issues of endogeneity and individual heterogeneity. The results show that movements to upstream positions in GVCs, FDI, and political stability have a significant and positive impact on green economic growth. These findings highlight the need for tailored policies to encourage the development of green industries and improve global competitiveness. Full article

This study examines the impact of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) on participation in global value chains (GVCs) among South Asian economies, specifically Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. This research offers new empirical insights into the relatively underexplored relationship between SAFTA and GVCs in the region. The findings indicate that SAFTA has promoted backward GVC participation by increasing the foreign value-added content of exports, particularly from India to Bangladesh and Pakistan, and from Pakistan to Bangladesh. These results suggest untapped potential for expanding regional GVC linkages, as many bilateral GVC connections within South Asia remain underdeveloped. Full article

Manufacturing global value chains (GVCs) play a central role in shaping countries’ export competitiveness. However, existing studies have given limited attention to the impact of regional trade agreements (RTAs) on manufacturing GVCs. This study examines the effects of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on manufacturing GVCs. Using the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model, based on the GTAP 10 database with dynamic recursion to 2025, this study simulates various scenarios of tariff and non-tariff barrier (NTB) reductions. This model is linked to a GVC accounting framework to evaluate member countries’ trade performance in manufacturing value added, as well as their participation and position in GVCs. The results show that the CPTPP and RCEP, when implemented separately, significantly boost bilateral value-added trade within their regions, with increases of 99.4% and 65.7%, respectively. Their combined effect further strengthens global value-added trade, raising it by 5.1%. Both agreements also promote greater GVC participation in most manufacturing sectors across member economies, although their influence on sectoral positioning differs across countries. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the CPTPP and RCEP are reshaping regional production networks and affecting manufacturing development in member states. They highlight the growing importance of RTAs in shaping value chains and underscore the need to revitalize global partnerships for sustainable development. For policymakers, the results provide timely evidence on how RTAs can be leveraged to support sustainable growth in manufacturing. Full article

Based on relevant data from WIOD database from 2010 to 2014, this article calculates the trade-implied carbon emission intensity of various industrial sectors in China, analyzes the impact of GVC embedding on the trade-implied carbon emission intensity of Chinese industrial sectors, and further explores the moderating effect of industrial digitalization on this basis. Research has shown that, on an overall level, as the degree of forward embedding of the GVC deepens, the trade-implied carbon emission intensity of China’s industrial sectors shows an inverted “U”-shaped change of first increasing and then decreasing, while the backward embedding of the GVC promotes trade-implied carbon emissions. From the perspective of industry heterogeneity, there is an inverted “U”-shaped relationship between forward participation in non-pollution-intensive and non-technology-intensive industries and trade-implicit carbon emissions intensity. In technology-intensive industries, there is a positive “U”-shaped relationship between forward participation in the GVC and trade-implicit carbon emissions intensity. The increase in forward participation in pollution-intensive industries effectively suppresses and promotes trade-implicit carbon emissions. At the same time, the improvement of industrial digitalization can promote the early entry of China’s industrial sector’s trade-implicit carbon emission intensity into the decline stage. Therefore, enhancing the forward participation of the GVC and the level of industrial digitalization is an effective measure to promote the low-carbon development of trade in China’s industrial sectors. Full article

The Free Trade Area (FTA) strategy and the participation of enterprises in global value chains (GVCs) are important aspects of China’s high-quality economic development stage. This study matches trade data from the China Customs Import and Export database with information from listed firms in the CSMAR database, calculating the firms’ GVC embeddedness and the depth of trade agreements at the firm level. On this basis, this research employs a gravity model with fixed effects to empirically analyze the impact and mechanism of the FTA strategy on the embedding of Chinese listed firms in GVCs, utilizing data from 2000 to 2006. The results demonstrate that the FTA strategy substantially enhances the embeddedness of Chinese listed enterprises in GVCs. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that state-owned enterprises, those located in the central and western regions, manufacturing firms, and high-tech industry enterprises derive greater advantages from the FTA strategy in terms of their embeddedness in GVCs. Moreover, the mechanism analysis indicates that the FTA strategy enhances the embeddedness of enterprises in GVCs by increasing their technological innovation levels. Additionally, the internal control costs of enterprises negatively moderate the impact of the FTA strategy on their embedding in GVCs, and a “substitution effect” exists between asset operating efficiency and the FTA strategy in promoting the GVC embedding of listed firms. These findings provide empirical evidence and policy recommendations for the Chinese government to enhance the FTA strategy and sustainably improve the embeddedness of Chinese listed enterprises in GVCs. Full article

The global and domestic divisions of labor have had a great influence on the economy and environment in China during the last decade. With the refinement of production processes, national value chains (NVCs) coexist with global value chains (GVCs), enabling regions to participate in dual value chains (DVCs) simultaneously. This study calculates the NVCs and GVCs participation of manufacturing sectors in China’s provinces. On this basis, this research adopts a fixed effects model to analyze the impact of GVCs and NVCs participation and their interaction effect on manufacturing upgrades and green development. The results show, first, that significant regional differences in GVCs participation exist among provinces in China. In comparison, provincial NVCs participation demonstrates fewer regional differences. Second, there are significant sectoral differences of GVCs participation in China’s manufacturing industry—high-tech manufacturing is more embedded than other manufacturing industries. The sectoral differences in NVCs participation are relatively small. Third, GVCs and NVCs participation and their interaction effect have significantly promoted the upgrading and green development of manufacturing sectors in provinces of China, and this impact exhibits significant heterogeneity across regions, industries, and NVCs participation modes. The conclusions of this study provide empirical evidence and policy recommendations for the upgrading and green development of China’s manufacturing industry. Full article

Improving the export quality of forestry products is crucial for the development of the forestry industry in developing countries. This study focuses on China—the largest developing country and a leading exporter of forestry products—and explores how GVCs influence the export quality of their forestry products, taking into account the unique characteristics of the forestry industry as a resource-based sector. Using China’s trade data from 41 partner countries between 2000 and 2014, the study finds that forward GVC participation significantly enhances the export quality of forestry products, distinguishing this study from the previous research. The diffusion of technology within GVCs is identified as a key influencing factor. This result highlights that, as a resource-based industry, the value chains in the forestry industry are typically buyer-driven, with lead firms in these chains, which possess advanced technologies, often occupying downstream positions related to marketing and brand building. Therefore, when developing countries leverage GVCs to improve the export quality of forestry products, they should not only focus on backward GVC participation but also consider the potential for technology diffusion generated through forward GVC participation. This distinction from other production-driven value chains is one of the key findings of this research. Full article

In today’s interconnected economy, participation in global value chains (GVCs) has become essential for firms seeking international competitiveness and economic sustainability. This is particularly relevant for emerging economies like Saudi Arabia that are pursuing economic diversification strategies. However, the relationship between external market conditions and global trade integration remains unclear, especially regarding how technological advancement influences this relationship. This study investigates how technological progress mediates the effect of external market drivers—including economic stability, regulatory compliance, technological resources, cultural adaptation, and environmental policies—on GVC participation in Saudi Arabia. Using a quantitative approach, we collected survey data from 178 key decision makers and leaders across multiple sectors involved in strategic innovation and global market integration. Analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling revealed that external market drivers significantly influence GVC participation (β = 0.739, p < 0.01), with technological advancement playing a substantial mediating role (β = 0.460, p < 0.01). Environmental policies and technological resources demonstrated direct effects on GVC participation, while regulatory compliance was fully mediated by technological advancement. These findings contribute to understanding how digital transformation enables trade integration in emerging economies. The results provide practical insights for policymakers and business leaders, highlighting the importance of investing in digital infrastructure and technology-enabled trade facilitation to enhance global competitiveness in an increasingly digital trade environment. Full article

Against the backdrop of carbon reduction and low-carbon economic development, this study takes the global paper industry chain as its research subject and employs the SBM-GML model and input–output model to measure the low-carbon TFP and value chain embedding levels of 42 major global economies from 2001 to 2021. Using fixed-effects and threshold effect models, the study examines both the overall and stage-specific impacts of value chain embedding on low-carbon TFP. The results reveal that between 2001 and 2021, while the low-carbon TFP of major countries in the global paper industry chain steadily increased, significant disparities persisted among them. Most countries experienced low-carbon TFP growth driven by technological progress, whereas only a few high low-carbon TFP nations also demonstrated upward trends in technical efficiency. The division of labour position in the value chain significantly promoted low-carbon TFP at a ratio of 1:0.26. In contrast, the low-carbon TFP effects of participation displayed a nonlinear impact with a threshold of 0.21: it exerted an insignificant inhibitory effect in the initial stage but, upon crossing the threshold, resulted in a significant positive effect with a ratio of 1:0.13. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing GVC strategies to achieve sustainable industrial transformation and growth. Full article