Mobile Phones: Who Benefits in Shifting Global Value Chains?
Capturing the Gains, Revised Summit Briefing, No. 6.1, February 2013
6 Pages Posted: 17 May 2013
Date Written: May 16, 2013
Abstract
Mobile phones have made a significant impact on developing countries, which have played a key role in the mobile phone global value chain (GVC). The dynamic of the GVC, notably growing concentration in trade and production and the rise of low-end markets, is shaping the impact of economic upgrading on social upgrading. Increased GVC concentration has limited employment growth to just a few countries and firms, and the prevalence of casual labour has led to segmented upgrading among workers. Moreover, the low-end market is vulnerable to poor working conditions. However, shifting end markets are presenting new opportunities for social upgrading in developing countries.
Keywords: mobile phones, global value chain, economic upgrading, social upgrading
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