Jan Hauke Holste analyzes how a company can innovate and change its business model to the degree that it can climb up the value chain. His research synthesizes a combination of the global value chain and the business model literature to create a new framework of local firm upgrading. The findings of an empirical test of the model indicate that local firms are more than just a link within a global value chain. Each firm has a choice and inter-firm differences indicate that there is a strong firm level factor. Next to other factors, the founder is the key driver of local firm upgrading. He is possibly the most important element within a firm.  Contents Global Value Chain Literature The Business Model Literature Supply Chain and Local Firm Upgrading Business Model Innovation Ownership, the Role of the Company Founder  Target Groups Researchers and students in the field of economics with a focus on international business, global value chains, business model innovation, supply chains Managers of medium-sized companies, strategy and supply chain consultants, entrepreneurs  The Author Jan Hauke Holste received his first master’s degree in International Business and Management at Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK. He finished his second master degree at the University of Witten/Herdecke.