Global Production Networks and Employment: A Developing Country Perspective

Internationalised firms in developing economies tend to employ more workers and pay higher wages than firms that deal exclusively with the domestic market, according to this paper that shows the links between global value chains (GVCs) and labour market outcomes. Engagement in international activities by firms provides greater opportunities for women to enter the formal employment market, the paper also shows.

OECD papers on trade

Read the full series of OECD papers on trade policy and on trade and environment, all available for free download in pdf format.

Global Value Chains and Developing Country Employment: A Literature Review

How do global value chains (GVCs) impact employment markets in developing countries? This paper reviews the literature on the subject, focusing on the labour market impacts of three processes that lie at the core of GVC development: importing, exporting, and foreign direct investment (FDI). The paper includes two case studies — electronics in Asia and services in Chile - that demonstrate the complexity of the issues involved.

Multilateralising Regionalism on Government Procurement

The potential multilateralisation of government procurement commitments in regional trade agreements (RTAs) presents many issues and challenges. To what extent do RTAs go beyond the 2012 revised Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), and how do they differ among trading partners? This report surveys 47 RTAs in force with government procurement provisions where an OECD member is a party.

Trade Costs: What Have We Learned? A Synthesis Report

Understanding trade costs is essential for formulating policy interventions designed to reduce such costs. This report synthesises all OECD work on cost factors across the entire trade chain.

Related Documents

• Trade costs

Different Partners, Different Patterns: Trade and Labour Market Dynamics in Brazil's Post-Liberalisation Period

To what extent has the greater external exposure of the Brazilian economy in the past decade contributed to the evolution of employment in the country? This paper finds that Brazilian exports expanded vigorously in the 2000s and contributed positively to employment generation, though this contribution was relatively small.

The Role of Services for Competitiveness in Manufacturing

What is the role of services in international merchandise trade, especially as new technology changes the way production is organised? This study analyses the relationship between competitiveness in manufacturing and the quality of key supporting services. Three primary indicators of competitiveness are considered: the degree of product differentiation, unit prices obtained in export markets and the duration of trade.

Cross-Border Trade in Electricity and the Development of Renewables-Based Electric Power: Lessons from Europe

To benefit fully from cross-border trade in electricity, interconnected countries need to establish a non-discriminatory trading regime based on co-operation and co-ordination, says this study of trade in renewables-based electric power in Europe.

State-Owned Enterprises: Trade Effects and Policy Implications

With a growing integration via trade and investment, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that have traditionally been oriented towards domestic markets increasingly compete with private firms in the global market place. This paper presents a conceptual discussion of how potential SOE advantages can generate cross-border effects.