Although it is difficult to establish common trends in the diversified universe of SMEs, the case studies conducted in several OECD member and non-member economies provided some new insights on the performance of SMEs in global value chains. One result that stands out from the different findings across sectors is that successful participation in global value chains brings stability. Small firms that are able to remain in value chain(s) despite keen global competition, or SMEs that succeed in ‘jumping on board’ normally gain stability and even expand their business. This is often accompanied by the upgrading of technological and human capital, as a result of the greater exposure and facilitated access to information, business practices and technologies that SMEs experience in GVCs. Indeed, co-operation with the network appears a key factor in facilitating the upgrading process. Case studies in the automotive and tourism sectors indicated that co-ordination with upstream and downstream partners increases the chances of success of small firms in the value chain. This seems related to substantial benefits in terms of status, information flows and learning possibilities. Successful SMEs in GVCs acquire more autonomy from their larger counterparts and increase opportunities to grow further by leveraging on access to an extended network of partners and to superior technology and improved staff skills.