Rent appropriation in global value chains: The past, present, and future of intangible assets

Research Summary The argument of this article is that global strategy research should devote greater attention to rent appropriation in value chains (GVCs). We discuss the concept intangible assets, emphasize their scalability at low marginal cost and highlight strategies for rents from these assets. Returns captured by assets are shown be much than those tangible GVCs manufactured products. Regions world found specializing different GVC stages, with China rising as a key location generation upstream production activities. conclude major drivers economic development corporate success offer insights into trends future. Managerial Intangible include computerized information (such databases software), innovative property patents, trademarks, copyrights), competencies brand equity organizational capital). Our analysis shows returns goods have risen substantially importance over past 20 years. A further finding within GVCs, share stages has been increasing expense shares both downstream stages. These findings suggest effective deployment, management, protection critical ability firms create maintain sustainable competitive advantages markets. In intangibles matter, big time!