Research Activities
Research Projects 2025
How Do Emerging South-South Trades and FDIs Affect Developing Countries' Supply Chain Competition and Cooperation? A Case Study of the Automotive Industry
Outline
Globa South countries have received technology transfers from G7/G8 countries (i.e., Global North) through ODA and FDI and achieved industrialization and economic growth. They now have indigenous companies that are capable of achieving innovations and participating in engineering chains. Structural changes in the business environment caused by digitization and decarbonization have created opportunities for firms from Global South to develop supply chains and sell domestically, export their own products, or make outward FDIs to produce and sell in the host countries. The growing importance of Global South firms in the world economy and innovation system has intensified competition between firms from North and South and among firms from South. Competitions are emerging primarily for two business activities. One is competition over the acquisition of sales channels, which is essential for new entrants to sell their products. The second is competition for suppliers that are essential for new entrants to produce their products at competitive costs. In both parts of the supply chain, incumbent firms work closely with large firms and FDI firms. For these firms, new entrants from Global South can be a new threat. At the same time, new entrants are also expected to bring new business opportunities for the existing firms and potential suppliers. Whether competition and cooperation with Global South FDI firms will benefit developing countries depends on the strategies of the new entrants. In this study, we conduct a case study of the automotive industry to understand the competition and cooperation over markets and supply chains that are being triggered by the internationalization of firms from Global South.
Period
April 2025 - March 2027
Members
| Role | Member |
|---|---|
| [ Organizer ] | Ueki, Yasushi |
| [ Co-researcher ] | Nuchjarin Intalar(Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University Assistant Professor) |
| [ Co-researcher ] | Jeenanunta, Chawalit(Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University Deputy Director, Associate Professor) |
*Affiliations are as of April 2025.
Expected Outcome
- Paper Submission to Peer-Reviewed Journal