Transitions and Trajectories in the Build‐Up of Innovation Capabilities: Insights from the Global Value Chain Approach

Building up innovation capabilities is a process but much research on this topic remains static. This paper shows how Martin Bell has helped researchers to move from models to trajectories and understand the transitions from production to innovation capabilities. In what circumstances is it likely and does it include strategic innovation activities? The paper distils the insights which can be derived from the global value chain literature by focussing on the Bell agenda of understanding transitions and trajectories.