The Political Economy of Global Value Chains Training Course

The Political Economy of Global Value Chains Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the dynamics of global value chains (GVCs) is critical for policymakers, business leaders, and development professionals. GVCs represent the fragmentation of production processes across different countries, where each stage of production from raw materials to final consumption adds value. This training course delves into the political economy of GVCs, exploring how political and institutional forces shape their structure, governance, and distribution of benefits. We examine the complex interplay between international trade policy, technological disruption, and domestic political factors to uncover how GVCs influence economic development, labor markets, and geopolitical relations.

The Political Economy of Global Value Chains Training Course goes beyond a simple economic analysis of trade flows, offering a nuanced perspective on the geopolitics of trade. Participants will learn to critically analyze the power dynamics within GVCs, including the roles of lead firms, international organizations, and state actors. By integrating concepts from international relations, political science, and economics, we equip students with the tools to navigate a world where global commerce is not only a matter of market efficiency but also a tool of statecraft and a site of intense political contestation. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, using real-world case studies to illustrate how different countries and firms strategically position themselves within these global networks to achieve their competitive advantage and policy objectives.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

• Understand how different actors, including lead firms, governments, and international institutions, shape and control GVCs.
• Assess strategies for firms and countries to improve their position within GVCs, moving from low-value to high-value activities.
• Interpret the effects of tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and trade agreements on the structure and resilience of GVCs.
• Investigate the relationship between GVC participation and labor conditions, wages, and social standards.
• Evaluate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and their implementation across global supply networks.
• Analyze the vulnerabilities of GVCs to shocks (e.g., pandemics, geopolitical conflicts) and strategies for building supply chain resilience.
• Explore the role of emerging technologies like Industry 4.0, blockchain, and AI in reshaping GVCs.
• Apply analytical frameworks and data tools to map and analyze specific value chains in different industries.
• Understand how geopolitical rivalries and deglobalization trends are influencing the regionalization and fragmentation of GVCs.
• Develop policy recommendations for governments and international organizations to maximize the benefits of GVC participation.
• Analyze the political and economic dimensions of trade disputes and their implications for GVCs.
• Evaluate the role of regional trade agreements in shaping regional value chains and economic blocs.
• Pinpoint key risks (e.g., political risk, supply chain disruptions) and opportunities for innovation and growth within GVCs.

Target Audience

• Policy Analysts and Economists.
• Corporate Strategists.
• Trade Negotiators and Diplomats.
• Development Practitioners.
• Academics and Researchers.
• Financial Analysts.
• Journalists and Media Professionals.
• Labor and Social Activists.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Global Value Chains

• Introduction to GVCs: Concepts, evolution, and key theories.
• The political economy framework: How politics, institutions, and power shape economic outcomes.
• Mapping and measuring GVCs: Using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• The role of lead firms and their strategies for GVC governance.
• Case Study: The Apple iPhone value chain and its implications for technology, labor, and geopolitics.

Module 2: Trade Policy and GVCs

• Trade liberalization vs. protectionism: Impacts on GVC configuration.
• The role of the WTO, regional trade agreements (RTAs), and free trade agreements
• Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and their effects on supply chain efficiency.
• Trade-in-value-added (TiVA) analysis and its policy relevance.
• Case Study: The U.S.-China trade war and its effects on global electronics and textile value chains.

Module 3: Upgrading and Economic Development

• Types of upgrading: Process, product, functional, and chain upgrading.
• The role of industrial policy in fostering GVC participation and upgrading.
• The 'developmental state' and its strategic engagement with GVCs.
• Linkages, spillovers, and local firm capabilities.
• Case Study: Ethiopia's engagement with the global garment value chain and its challenges in achieving upgrading.

Module 4: Geopolitics and GVCs

• GVCs as tools of statecraft and economic coercion.
• Reshoring, nearshoring, and friend-shoring: Drivers and implications.
• The impact of political risk, sanctions, and national security concerns on supply chains.
• Global value chains in a multipolar world: The rise of new economic blocs.
• Case Study: The role of GVCs in the global semiconductor industry and the geopolitical competition between the US and China.

Module 5: Labor, Sustainability, and Social Upgrading

• The "race to the bottom" debate: Labor standards, wages, and working conditions in GVCs.
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and private governance.
• Environmental challenges: Carbon emissions, resource use, and green GVCs.
• Fair trade and sustainable sourcing initiatives.
• Case Study: The Rana Plaza collapse and the subsequent efforts to improve worker safety and social compliance in the garment industry.

Module 6: Digital Transformation and GVCs

• Industry 4.0 technologies: Automation, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
• The rise of digital platforms and their influence on GVC governance.
• The use of blockchain for supply chain transparency and traceability.
• The potential for "servicification" of manufacturing.
• Case Study: The integration of technology in the automotive value chain, from automated assembly to connected vehicles.

Module 7: GVC Vulnerabilities and Resilience

• Mapping and assessing GVC vulnerabilities to shocks.
• Strategies for building supply chain resilience and agility.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply networks.
• Risk management and business continuity planning.
• Case Study: The global medical supplies value chain during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons for supply chain security.

Module 8: The Future of Global Value Chains

• The future of globalization: Deglobalization, regionalization, or re-globalization?
• The evolving role of developing countries in GVCs.
• New forms of governance: Public-private partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• The nexus of trade, climate change, and GVCs.
• Case Study: The future of the battery value chain in the context of the global transition to green energy.

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

• Interactive lectures and presentations.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
• Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
• Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• Expert-led Q&A sessions.
• Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.