IMT Institutional Repository: No conditions. Results ordered -Date Deposited. 2024-03-29T09:46:32ZEPrintshttp://eprints.imtlucca.it/images/logowhite.pnghttp://eprints.imtlucca.it/2017-10-31T08:48:20Z2017-10-31T08:48:20Zhttp://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/3726This item is in the repository with the URL: http://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/37262017-10-31T08:48:20ZGlobal Value Chains Participation and Productivity Gains for North African FirmsThe emergence of global value chains (GVCs) has provided some firms the opportunity to internationalize by specializing in the production of specific inputs or tasks along the chain, with a direct impact on a country’s competitiveness. China, for instance, managed to enter low value added phases in GVCs to rapidly become a major player in world trade. Against this background, this paper asks whether North Africa, given its favourable geographic position in the Mediterranean and proximity to Europe, can grab similar opportunities. In particular, it analyzes the GVCs participation of North African firms and its implications for productivity. Since the coordination of vertically fragmented production processes increasingly relies on an adequate level of quality and reliability, especially when the inputs from several stages and locations must come together in a specific way, we identify firms involved in GVCs as traders with internationally recognized quality certification. Using a propensity score matching diff-in-diff method, the paper finds that firms that enter GVCs both perform better ex ante and show additional productivity gains ex post. Results suggest that policies designed to support certifications and compliance with international standards and to increase trust between firms in different countries, represent an important tool for linking developing countries to global production networks, with possible positive consequences on their economic development and growth.Davide Del Pretedavide.delprete@imtlucca.itGiorgia GiovannettiEnrico Marvasi2017-05-24T09:04:21Z2017-05-24T09:04:21Zhttp://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/3708This item is in the repository with the URL: http://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/37082017-05-24T09:04:21ZSmall and Medium Enterprises’ Competitiveness through Global Value ChainsDavide Del Pretedavide.delprete@imtlucca.itGiorgia GiovannettiEnrico Marvasi2017-05-24T08:50:13Z2017-05-24T08:50:13Zhttp://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/3703This item is in the repository with the URL: http://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/37032017-05-24T08:50:13ZGlobal value chains: New evidence for North AfricaAbstract This paper analyzes the participation and the position of North African countries in global value chains (GVCs). Exploiting the recently released Eora multiregional Input-Output tables, we describe regional and country {GVC} involvement. North African countries have not so far been able to fully integrate into international production networks. However, a large part of their (low) trade is due to value added related activities, mainly in the upstream phases, and the importance of foreign linkages has been increasing over time. We complement the Input-Output analysis with sectoral evidence from selected case studies and policy experiences. Overall, our results suggest that enhancing the {GVC} participation of North African countries has potential to substantially benefit local industries, countries and indeed the whole area. However, the ability to retain such benefits relies on specific local conditions, such as a favorable environment for foreign investments, and lower trade barriers, thus leaving room for policy intervention.Davide Del Pretedavide.delprete@imtlucca.itGiorgia GiovannettiEnrico Marvasi