Fighting Irrelevance: The Role of Regional Trade Agreements in International Production Networks in Asia

Abstract

This chapter reviews the relevant literature in order to provide an analytical framework for the analyses in the subsequent chapters. It covers some sub-topics related to the theme of this study, in particular, the theoretical approach to international production networks, key findings from empirical studies on the subject, and the role of trade policy (often understood as trade liberalization) in creating or sustaining an IPN.trade liberalization, international production networks, regional trade agreements, value chain, Asia, automotive, hard disk drive, textile and clothing, East Asia