Governance and Upgrading in GVCs: Why does Embeddedness Matter

Abstract Purpose This study’s primary objective is to propose actors’ embeddedness as a source for governance and upgrading within the GVC (Global Value Chain) framework. Design/methodology/approach This study uses co-word analysis to study the GVC scientific production. The analysis is conducted using controversies mapping from the Theory of Scientific and Technological Change (TSTC). Findings Two theoretical gaps were identified. First, governance and upgrading have more than one definition. Second, value and network are upgrading strategies. This article proposes the use of the Montenegro and Bulgacov (2014) framework to translate governance and upgrading respectively as network governance and strategic outcomes. Embeddedness matters because it is a stable theoretical concept (Granovetter, 1985) that can be a link between network governance and strategic results. Originality/value The study’s main contribution is to propose relativist embeddedness as a source of governance and upgrading. The second contribution is to present an ANT-based framework to study governance and its strategic results.