Gary Gereffi
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Gary Gereffi is a pioneering scholar in economic sociology and international development, best known for founding the global value chains (GVC) framework. His work has fundamentally reshaped how researchers and policymakers understand the organization of global industries, particularly the power dynamics between lead firms and suppliers in developing economies. Gereffi’s seminal contributions include conceptualizing governance structures within value chains and analyzing how firms in countries like China can "upgrade" their capabilities to capture higher-value activities. His research on industrial upgrading in advanced manufacturing—such as the adoption of industrial robots and production of high-tech medical devices—demonstrates how domestic firms in emerging economies can leverage global linkages to move beyond low-cost assembly. With over 100,000 citations across his career, Gereffi’s work is among the most influential in economic geography and development studies. His 2022 study on Chinese firms’ upgrading strategies, though recent, underscores his continued relevance in examining how technology and global production networks shape economic transformation. Gereffi’s framework remains essential reading for students and researchers seeking to understand the complexities of globalization, industrial policy, and uneven development.
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Top Papers
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