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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 micro-empirical evidence on the drivers of upgrading, classifying them as output-side drivers, input-side drivers, or drivers of know-how. The review concludes with some thoughts about promising directions for research in the area.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Verhoogen, 2021. "Firm-Level Upgrading in Developing Countries," NBER Working Papers 29461, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29461
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Ayerst & Loren Brandt & Diego Restuccia, 2023. "Distortions, Producer Dynamics, and Aggregate Productivity: A General Equilibrium Analysis," Working Papers tecipa-748, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    2. Kevin Randy Chemo Dzukou & Sabine Duvaleix & Karine Latouche, 2024. "Product innovation and export strategy," Post-Print hal-04452985, HAL.
    3. Vona, Francesco, 2023. "Skills and human capital for the low-carbon transition in developing and emerging economies," FEEM Working Papers 338778, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    4. Francesco Vona, 2023. "Skills and human capital for the low-carbon transition in developing and emerging economies," Working Papers 2023.19, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    5. Farrokhi, Farid & Lashkaripour, Ahmad & Pellegrina, Heitor S., 2024. "Trade and technology adoption in distorted economies," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    6. Imani, Yusuke & Ohyama, Atsushi, 2022. "The Roles of Structured Management in the Formation of Transactional Relationships," TDB-CAREE Discussion Paper Series E-2021-07, Teikoku Databank Center for Advanced Empirical Research on Enterprise and Economy, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.
    7. Kox, Henk L.M., 2022. "A micro-macro model of foreign direct investment: knowledge-based gravity forces, self-selection and third-country effects," MPRA Paper 115542, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Lu, Angdi & Zhang, Jiang & Li, Jie, 2023. "The impact of export VAT rebate reduction on firms' pollution emissions: Evidence from Chinese enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    9. Kox, Henk L.M., 2022. "Explaining foreign direct investment patterns: a testable micro-macro gravity model for FDI," MPRA Paper 115273, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Liu, Mengxiao & Wang, Luhang & Yi, Yimin, 2022. "Quality Innovation, Cost Innovation, Export, and Firm Productivity Evolution: Evidence from the Chinese Electronics Industry," MPRA Paper 113270, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Piscitello, Lucia & Thakur-Wernz, Pooja, 2023. "Impact of domestic and foreign knowledge mechanisms on the innovation performance of Indian firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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