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Firm-Level Upgrading in Developing Countries

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  • Eric Verhoogen

Abstract

In principle, firms in developing countries benefit from the fact that advanced technologies and products have already been developed in industrialized countries and can simply be adopted, a process often referred to as industrial upgrading. But for many firms this advantage remains elusive. What is getting in the way? This paper reviews recent firm-level empirical research on the determinants of upgrading in developing countries. The first part focuses on how to define and measure various dimensions of upgrading—learning, quality upgrading, technology adoption, and product innovation. The second part takes stock of recent evidence on the drivers of upgrading, classifying them as output-side drivers, input-side drivers, or drivers of know-how. I conclude with some thoughts about promising directions for research in the area.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Verhoogen, 2023. "Firm-Level Upgrading in Developing Countries," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 61(4), pages 1410-1464, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:61:y:2023:i:4:p:1410-64
    DOI: 10.1257/jel.20221633
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonia Lopez Villavicencio & Ivan Ledezma, 2024. "Global Value Chains and Productivity: Causal Evidence for Firms Worldwide," EconomiX Working Papers 2024-4, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    2. Lu, Dan & Mariscal, Asier & Mejía, Luis-Fernando, 2024. "How firms accumulate inputs: Evidence from import switching," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    3. Singer, Gregor, 2024. "Complementary inputs and industrial development: can lower electricity prices improve energy efficiency?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122365, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Cettolin, Elena & Cole, Kym & Dalton, Patricio, 2024. "Improving workers’ performance in small firms: A randomized experiment on goal setting in Ghana," Other publications TiSEM d9fa5424-4f53-4e02-8cb2-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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