The Effects of Participation in Global Value Chains : A Study of the Effects of Participation in Intermediate Trade on the Value Added Through Services and the Relative Demand for Skilled Workers in the Swedish Manufacturing Industry

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the effects of the integration in global value chains on the specialization in the production of services and the relative demand for high-skilled labor in the Swedish manufacturing industry. The empirical model and the predictions are based on theories and findings such as the phenomenon of servicification, the Hecksher-Ohlin theorem, and the Stolper-Samuelsson theorem. The study is conducted using a regression analysis of panel data and employs a fixed effects model to control for unobserved heterogeneities between the entities. An interaction variable based on the initial ICT capital stock of each sector is used in an attempt to establish causality. The results show that there is a positive and significant correlation between the growth of intermediate imports and the growth value added through total services and business services between 2000 and 2018. The results also display a positive and significant correlation between the growth of intermediate trade and the value added through total services between 1995 and 2018. The direction of causality of the relationships are not established. Furthermore, the results for growth of relative employment and relative wage are insignificant. Based on these findings it is concluded that there is a correlation between increased participation in global value chains and the growth of value added through services.