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ID: 143529

Economic upgrading in Bangladesh’s apparel value chain during the post-mfa period : an exploratory analysis / Moazzem, Khondaker Golam; Sehrin, Farzana

Moazzem, Khondaker Golam	Article
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Summary/Abstract

Bangladesh’s success in the global apparel value chain following the expiration of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement in 2005 deserves study to understand how a least developed country can become a major source of apparels within a short period of time. This article shows that even under a quasi-hierarchical governance structure, suppliers in Bangladesh have made significant progress in economic upgrading, particularly process and product upgrading. Competitive pressure linked to the ‘open sourcing’ of apparels has caused leading firms to ease conditionalities on the production process. Preferential access to major markets, timely responses to buyers’ changing demands, favourable policies related to the import of raw materials, production and export of apparels and new labour-related policies have facilitated economic upgrading. Suppliers have accordingly benefited from substantial investment in productive capacity, technological know-how and workers’ skills. Further upgrading would require more investment in firm-level productivity and improvement in physical and social compliance.

Key Words

Productivity ; Competitiveness ; Product Upgrading ; Global Value Chain ; Economic Upgrading ; Process Upgrading ;
Multi-Fibre Arrangement

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ID: 116506

Multi-product firms, product mix changes and upgrading: evidence from China's state-owned forest areas / Soderbom, Mans; Weng, Qian

Soderbom, Mans	Journal Article
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2012.

Summary/Abstract

Product selection matters for a firm's productivity and long-run growth. Recent theoretical and empirical studies indicate that an important margin of adjustment to policy reforms is the reallocation of output within firms through changes in product mix decisions. This paper examines the frequency, pervasiveness and determinants of product-switching and upgrading activities in firms located in China's state-owned forest areas during a period of gradual institutional and managerial reforms (2004-2008). We find that changes to the product mix are pervasive and characterized by adding or churning products rather than only shedding products. Moreover, changes in firms' product mix have made a significant contribution to the aggregate output growth during our sample period. We also find that firms with different characteristics, human capital and market conditions differ in their propensity to diversify and upgrade product mix.

Key Words

Firm Characteristics ; Multi - Product Firms ; Product Mix Changes ; Product Upgrading ; China's State - Owned Forest Areas

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