Locating the Tech in GPN 2.0: A global geography of the information technology sector 2001-2020

Keywords: economic gepgraphy, financial geography, GPN, infomation technology
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Tuesday
Session Start / End Time: 3/1/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 3/1/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 12

Abstract

This paper analyses the changing scale, structure, and geography of the IT sector in global production networks over the past two decades through a GPN 2.0 framework. It seeks to examine the extent to which the IT sector has become integrated into other sectors of the global economy through analysing inter-sector M&A activity - in doing so contributing both empirical and conceptual findings to the position of the Information Technology sector. This research draws on a sample of 110,858 deals in all sectors of the economy between 2001 and 2020 and classifies each side of a transaction according to firms’ involvement in the IT sector. By taking a global approach to the IT sector and its relation to all other areas of economic activity this paper tackles four inter-related questions: What sectors are buying and being bought by the IT sector? What are the geographies of this inter-sectoral activity? How have these trends evolved over time? And, what is driving these trends?