An Investment Perspective on Global Value Chains - Part 1 - Overview

Jul 19, 2026

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An Investment Perspective on Global Value Chains examines how global value chains can be understood through definitions, measurement approaches, and representative archetypes. It links foreign direct investment with international production networks, explaining mutually reinforcing dynamics and the role of hyperspecialization. The work also shows how multinational corporations influence global value chain development and how foreign direct investment can enable upgrading into new chain archetypes. It presents structured research findings and key concepts to support investment-focused analysis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages401

Reading Time16 h 51 min

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Overview

PART I: 29

Chapter 1. Foreign Direct Investment and Global Value Chains

Chapter 2. Multinational Corporations Shape Global Value Chain Development

Public Disc losure Authorized An Investment Perspective on Global Value Chains Christine Zhenwei Qiang | Yan Liu | Victor Steenbergen Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disc losure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized An Investment Perspective on Global Value Chains An Investment Perspective on Global Value Chains Christine Zhenwei Qiang | Yan Liu | Victor Steenbergen © 2021 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) Some rights reserved 1 2 3 4 24 23 22 21 This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under) the Creative Commons Attribution license, you are free to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt this work, including for commercial purposes, under the following conditions: Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: Qiang, Christine Zhenwei, Yan Liu, and Victor Steenbergen. 2021. An Investment Perspective on Global Value Chains. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi: 10. 1596/978-1-4848-1683-3 . License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO Translations—If you create a translation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This translation was not created by The World Bank and should not be considered an official World Bank translation. The World Bank shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation. Adaptations—If you create an adaptation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This is an adaptation of an original work by The World Bank. Views and opinions expressed in the adaptation are the sole responsibility of the author or authors of the adaptation and are not endorsed by The World Bank. Third-party content—The World Bank does not necessarily own each component of the content contained within the work. The World Bank therefore does not warrant that the use of any thirdparty-owned individual component or part contained in the work will not infringe on the rights of those third parties. The risk of claims resulting from such infringement rests solely with you. If you wish to re-use a component of the work, it is your responsibility to determine whether permission is needed for that re-use and to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Examples of components can include, but are not limited to, tables, figures, or images. All queries on rights and licenses should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; [e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org). ISBN (paper): 978-1-4648-1683-3 ISBN (electronic): 978-1-4848-1684-0 DOI: 10. 1596/978-1-4648-1683-3

FAQs

What does the document explain about global value chains?

It provides a definition, discusses measurement, and presents archetypes to characterize how global value chains function.

How are foreign direct investment and global value chains related?

Foreign direct investment and global value chains are presented as mutually reinforcing, with production networks and upgrading pathways tied to investment flows.

What role do multinational corporations play in global value chain development?

The document describes how multinational corporations shape development of global value chains, influencing network formation and specialization patterns.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Riley