Strategic coupling in global production networks through international cooperation zones: the Thai–Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone

ABSTRACT

This article unpacks the function of the international cooperation zone in promoting the strategic coupling of regional development in global production networks. Compared with ‘coupling through market’, the case of the Thai–Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone (TCRIZ) shows a formation path of ‘coupling through territorial intermediary’ with the international cooperation zone acting as an intermediary agent with the function of attracting investment and promoting firm connections between the regional economy and global production networks. The coupling through territorial intermediary is particularly important for regions with weak competitive dynamics to articulate to global production networks.

KEYWORDS:

• strategic coupling
• global production networks
• territorial intermediary
• international cooperation zone
• coupling path

JEL:

• F2
• R11
• R58

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank Professor Henry Wai-chung Yeung and the anonymous referees for their insightful comments on earlier versions.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program (A) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences [grant numbers XDA20080000 and XDA20010103] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 41701131].