Catching–Up along the Global Value Chain: models, determinants and policy implications in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

CatChain is a project built on a multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral exchange program focused on unravelling the process of Catching-up from different sectoral perspectives both at country and firm level. It analyses the role of business models in entering, learning and upgrading the Global Value Chain, aiming at recognising the determinants and challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises in being part of a globalised economy. The outcome of the project will be the definition of policy tools and frameworks to support effective policy-making actions in the implementation of Research and Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategy, with respect to the new agenda of Europe 2020, with a focus on low-income EU countries.