This article introduces a framework for analyzing economic integration and its relationship to the asymmetries of economic and social development. It argues for a research agenda that better addresses the challenges and consequences of globalization, moving beyond traditional state-centric approaches in development studies. The authors propose the concept of the "global production network" (GPN), which explores the dynamics of economic activities across borders and their impact on local economies. The GPN framework emphasizes the importance of understanding the flows and places of economic activities, as well as the dialectical connections between them. The article critiques existing approaches, such as the value chain and filière models, highlighting their limitations in capturing the complexity of economic globalization. It also discusses the contributions of actor-network theory and Dieter Ernst's work on global production networks. The GPN framework is designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the global, regional, and local dimensions of economic globalization, focusing on the creation and capture of value, the distribution of power, and the embeddedness of firms in social and institutional contexts. The article concludes by outlining the benefits of GPN research for understanding economic development and prosperity.This article introduces a framework for analyzing economic integration and its relationship to the asymmetries of economic and social development. It argues for a research agenda that better addresses the challenges and consequences of globalization, moving beyond traditional state-centric approaches in development studies. The authors propose the concept of the "global production network" (GPN), which explores the dynamics of economic activities across borders and their impact on local economies. The GPN framework emphasizes the importance of understanding the flows and places of economic activities, as well as the dialectical connections between them. The article critiques existing approaches, such as the value chain and filière models, highlighting their limitations in capturing the complexity of economic globalization. It also discusses the contributions of actor-network theory and Dieter Ernst's work on global production networks. The GPN framework is designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the global, regional, and local dimensions of economic globalization, focusing on the creation and capture of value, the distribution of power, and the embeddedness of firms in social and institutional contexts. The article concludes by outlining the benefits of GPN research for understanding economic development and prosperity.