The Global Competitive Structure of ASEAN Countries in Innovative Products

Abstract

In this study, we aim to conduct a comparative analysis of the competitiveness of ASEAN countries in the export of innovative products. In the study covering the years 2002–2020, we use International Standard Industry Classification Revision 3 (ISIC Rev.3) as the product group. We also use Balassa’s Revealed Comparative Advantage (BRCA) and Normalized Revealed Comparative Advantage (NRCA) indices as an indicator of export competitiveness. At the same time, we consider and interpret the agreement between the BRCA and NRCA scores obtained in the study. According to the scores, we obtain as a result of competitiveness analysis, the export competitiveness of innovative products of ASEAN countries is generally insufficient. When we divide the innovative products subject to export into two as “high technology (relatively high innovation level) and medium-high technology,” the competitiveness of these countries in the export of high-technology products is less.