In recent decades, extensive research has focused on global supply chains (GSCs) in goods and their advantages. RETHINK-GSC surpasses current standards in several ways. Firstly, it offers fresh and consistent data to assess GSCs in services, particularly in knowledge exchanges, through innovative knowledge-input-output tables (KIO) derived from patent data. These tables reveal the intricate links in innovation across different locations and patent categories. Analysis of KIO data linked to firm-level data demonstrates the significant link between innovation and knowledge flows, and employment growth in both firms and regions.
Secondly, similar input-output tables are generated based on open-source software development, illustrating collaboration trends across different locations. While collaboration tends to gravitate towards certain areas, the decision on sourcing code for further program development shows no such concentration.
Another key innovation is the gathering of new firm level data from company surveys in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Poland. These surveys yield detailed insights into firms' sourcing decisions, perceived disruptions, adjustments, and supplier relationships, particularly regarding knowledge transfer and innovation cooperation. Given the focus and scope of the survey, we have a unique dataset that is particularly useful for understanding the risks firms face in GSCs and their adaptive strategies.
Analysis of the KIO data (in a comparison with GSC measures in goods based on goods input-output tables), as well as the new survey data show that knowledge and goods flows are deeply interconnected. RETHINK-GSC research also shows that firms adapt supply chains differently in response to shocks These are novel and important findings with strong implications for policy.
