Les générations d’entreprises maquiladoras

Abstract

Is the Mexican maquila export model exhausted? This is a key question because currently there is a debate on the assembly export industry in Mexico and in Latin America: while some consider that this model was already drained, others argue that the sector has been restructured opening the way to new opportunities. The maquila pattern has been questioned due to the decline of the sector, to the loss of competitiveness of the border regions in front of countries like China, and it is considered a model of cost reduction’ based on cheap and non-skilled labor. In this article it is presented and discusses the process of industrial upgrading based on the development of “in-house” plant capabilities. The typology of maquila generations is developed in this context. Based on surveys and case studies, the article presents research results that demonstrate the evolution process in the maquila and concludes that the consideration of exhaustion of this model is inadequate.

Keywords

• border
• maquiladoras
• industrialization