This book examines how developing economies integrate into global manufacturing value chains and the policy challenges associated with export-oriented industrialisation, drawing on the experiences of nine major Asian countries: China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Together, these countries provide a rich analytical setting, reflecting wide diversity in development trajectories, policy regimes, and stages of integration into global production networks. The analysis of country experiences is framed within a clear and accessible overview of the concepts and processes of global production sharing and the key policy issues it raises.
Although global value chains are widely acknowledged as a central feature of contemporary globalisation, their role in fostering sustained industrialisation and technological upgrading in developing countries remains imperfectly understood. This book addresses that gap through systematic empirical analysis, drawing on previously unexplored or underutilised data sources. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers seeking to leverage global manufacturing networks to support export diversification, industrial deepening, and long-term development.