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Global Value Chains, Industrial Policy, and Industrial Upgrading: Automotive Sectors in Malaysia, Thailand, and China in Comparison with Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Keun Lee

    (Seoul National University
    Fellow, IEP Program of CIFAR)

  • Di Qu

    (Seoul National University
    Fellow, IEP Program of CIFAR)

  • Zhuqing Mao

    (University of Johannesburg)

Abstract

This study compares the evolution of automotive sectors in Malaysia, Thailand, and China with that of Korea by focusing on industrial policy, particularly local content requirements (LCRs) and global value chains (GVCs). Although LCRs show common effects of increasing the localization ratio to a certain degree, the eventual development paths of automotive sectors diverge in the three countries. In terms of three measures of upgrading in GVC, namely, the share of domestic (or foreign) value-added in their exports, export orientation (re-exported intermediate imports), and international competitiveness of their intermediate parts (domestic value-added embodied in foreign exports), China is the most successful (highest in two measures), followed by Thailand with strong export orientation, and with Malaysia being the least successful. Such divergent outcomes in three countries are explained in terms of three key factors, namely, local ownership, disciplines from market competition, and firm-level effort and strategies. Given the monopoly by national brand makers, Malaysia lacks discipline from market competition, whereas Thailand lacks local ownership and consistency in promoting domestic value-added. China is neither a national monopoly nor dominated by foreign joint ventures, but a strong entry by locally owned firms result in fierce market competition. In addition, Chinese firms attempt to build their technological capabilities and localize the production of key parts and components.

Suggested Citation

  • Keun Lee & Di Qu & Zhuqing Mao, 2021. "Global Value Chains, Industrial Policy, and Industrial Upgrading: Automotive Sectors in Malaysia, Thailand, and China in Comparison with Korea," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(2), pages 275-303, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:33:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00354-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00354-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Upalat Korwatanasakul, 2023. "Thailand and the Middle-Income Trap: An Analysis from the Global Value Chain Perspective," PIER Discussion Papers 202, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    2. Kim, Jinhee & Lee, Keun, 2022. "Local–global interface as a key factor in the catching up of regional innovation systems: Fast versus slow catching up among Taipei, Shenzhen, and Penang in Asia," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    3. Zhou, William Chongyang & Yan, Daying & Sun, Sunny Li, 2022. "Climbing the Ladder: Inward Sourcing as an Upgrading Capability in Global Value Chains," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    4. Dullien Sebastian, 2024. "European Industrial Policy in the 2020s: Rationale, Challenges and Limitations," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Sciendo, vol. 59(5), pages 249-253.
    5. Yuan, Xiaodong & Li, Xiaotao, 2021. "The evolution of the industrial value chain in China's high-speed rail driven by innovation policies: A patent analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    6. Minaee, Mohammadreza & Elahi, Shaban & Majidpour, Mehdi & Manteghi, Manoochehr, 2021. "Lessons learned from an unsuccessful “catching-up” in the automobile industry of Iran," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    7. Ioanna Kastelli & Lukasz Mamica & Keun Lee, 2023. "New perspectives and issues in industrial policy for sustainable development: from developmental and entrepreneurial to environmental state," Review of Evolutionary Political Economy, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-25, April.
    8. Shangui Peng & Jian Wang & Hao Sun & Zhengning Guo, 2022. "How Does the Spatial Misallocation of Land Resources Affect Urban Industrial Transformation and Upgrading? Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-22, September.
    9. Luis Gerardo Hernández García, 2022. "Transport equipment network analysis: the value-added contribution," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Global value chain (GVC); Industrial policy; China; Korea; Malaysia; Thailand; Auto industry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment

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