Power and governance in global value chains: upgrading of Pakistani mobile application vendors in an era of platforms

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ID: 319734
2026
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Abstract
Abstract This study integrates Gereffi et al.’s governance framework with Dallas et al.’s power typology to explain the functional upgrading of low-capability suppliers under increasing industry complexity. We argue that governance alone cannot account for upgrading in platform-mediated global value chains, without accounting for how institutional and constitutive power interact. By examining Pakistani mobile application vendors in Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android ecosystems, we demonstrate that while platform codification facilitates initial learning, it does not by itself lead to functional upgrading. Instead, upgrading depends on both platform codification and suppliers’ ability to gain legitimacy, enabling shifts from captive to modular governance.
Reference Key
openalex_W7163821942 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Umair Choksy, Mark Dallas, Matthew; id_orcid 0000-0002-1614-7862 Alford, Yusuf Kurt
Journal journal of economic geography
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jeg/lbag040
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