Capacity of knowledge absorption as a competitive advantage for SME insertion into global value chains

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify capacities of knowledge absorption as a source of competitive advantage that strengthens the possibilities of SMEs to integrate themselves into global value chains. To this end, a review on the state of the art was made, underlying a model proposal, which is based on two theoretical approaches, innovation systems and global value chains. It was implemented in SMEs located in north-western Mexico in the sectors of Information Technology and Metalworking. Results show that those SMEs who are suppliers of translational corporations are getting knowledge that grants them access to global value chains or improves their ranking in them.