The RSA is pleased to announce the publication of our 8th Policy Impact book – Harnessing Global Value Chains for regional development: How to upgrade through regional policy, FDI, and trade by Riccardo Crescenzi and Oliver Harman.
This Regional Studies Policy Impact Book brings together the latest academic evidence and public policy insights on global value chains (GVCs) and foreign direct investment (FDI). It comprises a comprehensive description and explanation of why they matter for regional development and policy. It focuses on how sub-national regions can leverage them for innovation and upgrading, or ‘levelling up’. Specifically, its attention is on how regions can build, embed and reshape GVCs to their local enhancement.
The book makes the case for proactive sub-national public policies for the engagement with GVCs and FDI. Its chosen approach is three-fold. First, it looks at why. Why GVCs and FDI matter and why regional and local policymakers should focus their attention on upgrading. It critically reviews different streams of research and evidence. This is in order to identify key definitions and conceptual foundations for the analysis of the link between GVCs, FDI and innovation at the sub-national and local level. Second, it looks at what. This is through new conceptualisations and critical insights on the regional drivers and impacts of global connectivity, bridging macro-international and micro-firm level approaches. Third, is the critical how. How policymakers can leverage GVCs and FDI for their regional benefit. It aims to review empirical evidence and available policy evaluation in order to highlight what works (and what does not) when leveraging these concepts to shape public policies for regional development.
RSA Members receive a print copy of the book as one of the membership benefits.
Watch a recording of Sally Hardy introducing the book at the recent launch event held at the LSE.