Economic Integration in ASEAN+3<br/> : A Network Analysis

Nguyen, Thi Nguyet Anh; Pham, Thi Hong Hanh; Vallée, Thomas

doi:2016.31.2.275

The Journal of Economic Integration 2016 June;31(2) :275-325.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11130/jei.2016.31.2.275

Economic Integration in ASEAN+3
: A Network Analysis

Thi Nguyet Anh Nguyen, Thi Hong Hanh Pham, Thomas Vallée,

Faculty of Business Management, National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam
LEMNA, Institute of Economics and Management, University of Nantes, Nantes, France

Corresponding Author: Thi Nguyet Anh Nguyen ,Tel: +33 750992379, Fax: +33 24014 1749, Email: thi-nguyet-anh.nguyen1@univ-nantes.fr

ABSTRACT

This paper analytically and graphically explores the characteristics of ASEAN+3’s trade and Foreign Direct Investment integration over the 1990~2012 period by applying the tools of network analysis. Our results find evidence that the degree of trade and Foreign Direct Investment integration varies among ASEAN+3 member countries over the observation period. Second, ASEAN+3’s intra-regional trade network seems to be more densely connected than its intra-regional Foreign Direct Investment network. Third, we reveal that large and/or advanced countries seem to be better linked and form a subregional bloc of tightly connected economies only in terms of export absolute value. Therefore, ASEAN+3 has been experiencing a widening gap in the trend and patterns of intra-regional trade and Foreign Direct Investment among its member countries at different levels of economic development.

JEL Classification

F02: International Economic Order
F14: Empirical Studies of Trade
F15: Economic Integration
F21: International Investment; Long Term Capital Movements
F40: General

Keywords: Trade | Foreign Direct Investment | Network Analysis | ASEAN+3