Global Value Chains Meet Innovation Systems : Are There Learning Opportunities for Developing Countries?

This paper addresses two research questions: How do learning mechanisms operate in different types of global value chains? What is the supporting role of the innovation system in GVC-driven learning and innovation processes? Empirical evidence is used from the authors' research as well as secondary sources. Given the highly differentiated reality behind the sketchy and simplistic term "developing countries," the paper focuses on a particular group of middle-income developing countries: Brazil, Taiwan and Mexico.