ABSTRACT
This study aims to contribute to a deeper empirical understanding of the recent changes in global business structure, the nature of the multinational corporation and the implications of global economic integration for firm-level catch-up in China through case studies of the strategies and value chain structures of three leading MNCs – The Boeing Company, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. The study proceeds at two levels. First, at the global level, it investigates the strategies of the three leading firms, and the recent changes in the global value chain structures of their respective industries, as well as the implications of such changes for indigenous firms from low-income countries. Second, at the local level, the study examines the strategies and value chain relationships of these MNCs in China. In particular, the study focuses on the interactions of these MNCs with local value chain participants in order to better understand the direct impact of MNCs on the capabilities of local firms. The combined insights from the global and local level studies are to yield a clearer view on the implications of global economic integration on firm-level catch-up in low-income countries (see Figure 1.1). Analytical approach. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780203885123/2b028ab0-a3bd-4ad8-a2d2-d6ff3d46b78b/content/fig1_1_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
