Technological Sovereignty and Strategic Dependencies: The case of the Photovoltaic Supply Chain

Serenella Caravella, Francesco Crespi, Giacomo Cucignatto and Dario Guarascio

No 173, CIMEO Working Paper Series from Centre for Investigation and Modelling of Experimental Observations (CIMEO)

Abstract: This paper investigates the photovoltaic supply chain by providing evidence on structural dependencies and asymmetrically distributed technological capabilities. Bridging the perspectives of technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy, it first develops a fine-grained mapping of the photovoltaic supply chain by combining trade and patent data. It then assesses the long-term evolution of trade and technological hierarchies, documenting polarization and growing structural dependencies. The paper also focuses on critical photovoltaic products and related technologies, providing a strategic intelligence exercise relevant for trade, industrial, and innovation policies. Finally, it explores the relationship between technological specialization and productive capabilities, showing that strengthening the former may help mitigate dependencies in the upstream segment.

Keywords: Technological sovereignty; strategic dependency; photovoltaic industry; trade; patents; supply chains; industrial policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 F18 O31 O38 Q42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-09
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ter:wpaper:00173

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