Outputs: First, main output will be a report on cases studies where SMEs in the software industry of some APEC member economies have successfully participated in GVCs and policy recommendations to support SMEs’ integration into software GVCs. For example, we can study the case of smart factory which is a representative example of manufacture-related services creating high added value within the GVCs by advancing the existing manufacturing industry by applying information and communication technology(ICT) and embeded software to the entire production process such as design, development, manufacturing, distribution and logistics. In this regard, software services are one of the key part in various industries including manufacturing and sometimes they create a pure services GVCs. Case studies will be conducted by experts from KIEP (Korea Institute for International Economic Policy) and software related institutes targeting at least 3 economies. Topics will be including not limited to the success stories of SME’s GVC participation, government polices. Of course, this report will include the understanding software services GVCs and current status of SMEs’ participation in GVCs in software industries. The report will also include the policy recommendations to support SMEs’ integration into GVCs in software services sector.

Second, there will be a workshop with government, ABAC, industry, and software experts to share best practices or successful stories and introduce related government polices. They identify the opportunities and challenges for SMEs’ integration. Based on this, participants  will give some recommendations. These will be basis of policy recommendations which will be included in the report. The Workshop Summary Report will be also included in the Final Project Report.

The survey of economies participated will be conducted to monitor the process of this project. The survey will have some questionnaires including how helpful, effective and which should be improved. After the workshop, we will do the survey.

Outcomes: Publication of report and one of the main part will be  case studies and policy recommendations as an output. Draft report will be written by KIEP(Korea Institute for International Economic Policy) in cooperation with software experts. Case studies will include at least 3 economies’ cases including but not limited to Singapore, Chinese Taipei. This will be done through one of our contract with KIEP. It will also help business entrepreneurs and policy-advisors understand business opportunities and difficulties for MSMEs’ GVC participation as the involvement of software services in GVCs increases. Policy makers will reflect the challenges and the recommendations on their software services policies.

Workshop in the progress of the project are expected to provide policy-makers of APEC members a chance to explore a set of policy options that can improve MSME’s capacity and competitiveness to effectively integrate into GVCs through software services and to identify the opportunities and challenges for SMEs’ integration into software GVCs.

Beneficiaries:

Direct beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries of this project consist of important GVC stakeholders: 

a)  Public Sector (Government bodies and agencies): On the public side, policy makers who is responsible for SME policies or software industries policies will be able to formulate reasonable policies to satisfy SMEs interests and take into account the women’s factor. The project benefits directly policy makers, tourism and destination administrations and different authorities directly responsible for the development and implementation of software.

b) SMEs/MSMEs and related associations: Stakeholders in the services sector will have a better understanding of GVCs in the software industry, as well as MSMEs. SMEs either current or potential players in GVCs who are experiencing difficulties in their integration into GVCs, will be direct beneficiaries of the improved regulations and practices resulting from this project. The report as a main output will also include some analysis on women’s role in the creation and development of MSMEs and formulate recommendations that are inclusive of their particular conditions. 

Long-term beneficiaries: In the long-term, the extended beneficiaries will include Multinational Corporations (MNCs), Developing Economies, and other sectors. 

a)  MNCs: Even though the project is focused on SMEs participation in GVCs, as SMEs improve their role in software GVCs and MNCs will follow accordingly to become a beneficiary in the economic growth of developing GVCs. 

b)  Developing Economies: The developing economies are a part of direct beneficiaries in terms of capacity building on their Government bodies and agencies. Still, the economic growth resulting of the increased trade in services GVCs in the long-term will benefit APEC developing economies in the ways of job creation, GDP growth, etc.

c) Academia (academic institutions, public and/or private research institutions): Researchers and professors on related subjects will have a better perception on the concept of software GVCs and SMEs participation for further research and studies. The results of the project will contribute to the research of related international organizations (UNWTO, OECD, WTTC, WEF, ITC, WTO, etc.)