Understanding the development of technology-intensive suppliers in resource-based developing economies

The development of local technology-intensive Suppliers (t-suppliers) may Contribute to both reinforcing the industrial base and supporting the competitiveness Of primary production in developing countries. This article explores the role of t-suppliers in natural resource-based economies and outlines a theoretical framework for the analysis of the factors which foster or constrain their development and defines areas for an effective promotion. The proposed model of analysis distinguishes between factors influencing the development of t-suppliers on the level of the main industry, the level of supplier firms or firm-level and the level of external determinants with special reference to industrial Policy factors. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.