Integrating Theories of International Relations and National Competitiveness for Supporting OBOR Initiative Implementation
Keywords:
International relations, National competitiveness, One Belt One Road, OBOR, AHP, TOPSIS, IPA.Abstract
A structural realism position is justified in this article. In particular, a version advocating “Concerted Unilateralism” is borrowed in realizing the approaches based on structural realism. Structural realism underpins the BRIs in justifying national competitiveness, and addressing issues, such as relating to PEST – the macro-environment that influences the competitiveness of industries. To execute according to the structural realism paradigm, four-fold research objectives were targeted. First, Identify, through literature review, a suitable international relations theory or paradigm that can provide an intellectual guideline for the theoretical conceptions and empirical efforts. Second, provide some robust empirical evidence to support the direction of OBOR investments and draw the corresponding propositions as guidance. Third, provide a snapshot of current-state-of-perceptions of the OBOR subject experts in ASEAN and South Asia studies from across China, in the partial aspects of PEST (the macro-environment). Fourth, integrate the 1,2,3 objectives and suggest a MODEL for OBOR investments, policy discussions, and strategy formulations. A mixture of quantitative methods is used: simple multiple-regression analysis, mathematical multi-decision ranking and optimization methods (TOPSIS, AHP), and IPA-statistical analysis.
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Silk Capital (2019). One Belt One Road. https://www.silkcapital.net/global-frontier-markets/one-belt-one-road/. Retrieved on 10 April 2019.
Solvell, O. (2015). The Competitive Advantage of Nations 25 Years – Opening Up New Perspectives on Competitiveness. Competitiveness Review, 25(5), pp. 471-481.
Sulaiman, D., Jahwari, A., Sirakaya-Turk, E. and Altintas, V. (2016). Evaluating Communication Competency of Tour Guides Using a Modified Importance-Performance Analysis (MIPA). International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28(1), pp. 195-218.
Tan, C.C. (2018). Role of Digitization and its Cultural Determinants in a Nation’s Global Competitiveness. SELP Journal of Social Science, IX (Special Issue, April), pp. 18-22.
T&TCI (2017). The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017: Paving the Way for a More Sustainable and Inclusive Future. World Economic Forum.
Vines, D. (2016). Chinese Leadership of Macroeconomic Policymaking in a Multipolar World. China Economic Review, doi://10.1016/j.chieco.2016.07.010.
Wang, J. (2016). Great Power Strategy: Research and Reflection on the International Strategy. Beijing: CITIC Publishing Group.
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Zhai, F. (2018). China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Preliminary Quantitative Assessment. Journal of Asian Economics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2017.12.006.
Zhao, S., Tan, C.C. and Jiang, C. (2018). A Cross-Disciplinary View on Japanese ODA to Thailand and its Implications to One Belt One Road Initiative in Southeast Asia. A Keynote Speech Presented to First India Great Mekong Subregion (IGMSIG) 2018
International Conference, at Fr. Agnel College, Goa, India. Co-organized by Khon Kaen University, National University of Laos, Rajapark Institute Bangkok Thailand, The Institute of Social and Economic Initiatives Ukraine, University of Management and Economics Cambodia, and FATER India.
Zhao, S., Tan, C.C. and Jiang, C.C. (2019). A Cross-national Competitiveness and Hofstede Culture Studies as Implications for Catalyzing One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR) Initiatives. Research Progress Report. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, and School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University. May 2019.
Bangkok Post (2019, 26 April). China's Xi defends Belt and Road, says 'not exclusive club'. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1667508/chinas-xi-defends-belt-and-road-says-not-exclusive-club, on 2 May 2019.
Belt and Road Summit Hong Kong (2019). Testimonials. Retrieved from http://www.beltandroadsummit.hk/en/information_centre/testimonials.html, on 29 April 2019.
Brewster, D. (2018). The MSRI and the Evolving Naval Balance in the Indian Ocean. In J.M.F. Blanchard (Ed.). China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative and South Asia: A Political Economic Analysis of its Purposes, Perils, and Promise. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan.
Cho, D.S., Moon, H.C., and Yin, W.Y. (2016). Enhancing National Competitiveness through National Cooperation: The Case of South Korea and Dubai. Competitiveness Review, 2695), pp. 482-499.
Chung, C.P. (2017). What are the Strategic and Economic Implications for South Asia of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative? The Pacific Review. Https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2017.1375000.
CPI (2018), Corruptions Performance Index 2018. https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018. Retrieved on 1 December 2019.
D’Aleo, V. and Sergi, B.S. (2017). Does Logistics Influence Economic Growth? The European Experience. Management Decision, 55(8), pp. 1613-1628.
Dutta, S., Lanvin, B. and Wunsch-Vincent, S. (2019). Global Innovation Index 2018 (GII 2018). Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, INSEAD The Business School for the World, WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization, CII Confederation of Indian Industry, Strategy& Part of the PwC Network, SEBRAE, and CNI National Confederation of Industry Brazil.
Fierke, K.M. (2013). Constructivism. In T. Dunne, M. Kurki, and S. Smith (Eds.), International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (pp. 161-178). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Flint, C. and Zhu, C. (2019). The Geopolitics of Connectivity, Cooperation, and Hegemonic Competition: The Belt and Road Initiative. Geoforum, 99, pp. 95-101.
GCI (2018). The Global Competitiveness Report 2018. World Economic Forum.
Glassman, J. (2011). The Geo-Political Economy of Global Production Networks. Geography Compass, 4, pp. 154-164.
Hall, B.H. and Helmers, C. (2010). The Role of Patent Protection in (Clean/Green) Technology Transfer, Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal 26(4), pp. 487-532.
Han, W.W. and Guo, X.J. (2019). China: IP Protection China: New Policies and Change. Mondaq: Connecting Knowledge & People. Retrieved on 10 April 2019.
http://www.mondaq.com/china/x/775646/Patent/IP+Protection+In+China+New+Policies+And+Changes.
Hanafi, M., Wibisono, D., Mangkusubroto, K., Siallagan, M. and Badriyah, J.K. (2017). Modeling Competitive Advantage of Nation: A Literature Review. Competitive Review, 27(4), pp. 335-365.
Helpman, E. and Grossman, G. (1989). Product Development and International Trade. Journal of Political Economics, 97, pp. 1261–1283.
Huang, R. (2015). “The Belt and Road Initiative” is the Experimental Field for the New Concept of International Order. People.com.cn. http://world.people.com.cn/n/2015/0705/c1002-27255803.htm. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
Huang, Y. (2016). Understanding China’s Belt & Road Initiative: Motivation, Framework, and Assessment. China Economic Review, 40, pp. 314-321.
KiniTV (2019). In China, Dr. Mahathir Learns The True Intention Behind The Belt And Road Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.kinitv.com/video/c4fc4ae5-2c4c-4f6e-9f36-05fad15f9cf0?fbclid=IwAR2G1rEt-jz9LZ22j97J3jRFVTIcnnCuYaOuBuTxKwj1kwO94Clz9NkpA-Q, on 29 April 2019.
Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H. and Huan, H.D. (2014). Think ASEAN! Rethinking Marketing towards ASEAN Economic Community, 2nd Edition, Singapore: McGraw-Hill.
Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H. and Hooi, P.H. (2017). Marketing for Competitiveness: Asia to the World: In the Age of Digital Consumers. World Scientific Press.
LaVan, H. and Murphy, P.J. (2007). Southeast Asian Culture, Human Development, and Business Competitiveness. Journal of Asia Business Studies, Fall, pp. 14-22.
Lerner, J. (2002). 150 Years of Patent Protection. American Economic Review, V92(2, May), pp. 221-225.
Liu, W. and Dumford, M. (2016). Inclusive Globalization: Unpacking China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Area Development Policy, 1, pp. 323-340.
Lundberg, H. (2010). Strategic Networks for Increased Regional Competitiveness: Two Swedish Cases. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 20(2), pp. 152-165.
Martila, J.A. and James, J.C. (1977). Importance-Performance Analysis. Journal of Marketing, 41(1), pp. 77-79.
Matzler, K., Sauerwein, E. and Heischmidt, K. (2003), Importance-Performance Analysis Revisited: The Role of the Factor Structure of Customer Satisfaction, The Service Industries Journal, 23(2), pp. 112-129.
Mearsheimer, J.J. (2013). Structural Realism. In T. Dunne, M. Kurki, and S. Smith (Eds.), International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (pp. 51-67). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Oliva, F.L. (2016). A Maturity Model for Enterprise Risk Management. International Journal of Production Economics, 173, pp. 66-79.
Onuf, N. (1989). World of Our Making: Rules and Rule in Social Theory and International Relations. Columbia, SC: University of South China Press.
Porter, M.E. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York, NY: Free Press.
Roach, S.C. (2013). Critical Theory. In T. Dunne, M. Kurki, and S. Smith (Eds.), International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (pp. 145-160). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Silk Capital (2019). One Belt One Road. https://www.silkcapital.net/global-frontier-markets/one-belt-one-road/. Retrieved on 10 April 2019.
Solvell, O. (2015). The Competitive Advantage of Nations 25 Years – Opening Up New Perspectives on Competitiveness. Competitiveness Review, 25(5), pp. 471-481.
Sulaiman, D., Jahwari, A., Sirakaya-Turk, E. and Altintas, V. (2016). Evaluating Communication Competency of Tour Guides Using a Modified Importance-Performance Analysis (MIPA). International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28(1), pp. 195-218.
Tan, C.C. (2018). Role of Digitization and its Cultural Determinants in a Nation’s Global Competitiveness. SELP Journal of Social Science, IX (Special Issue, April), pp. 18-22.
T&TCI (2017). The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017: Paving the Way for a More Sustainable and Inclusive Future. World Economic Forum.
Vines, D. (2016). Chinese Leadership of Macroeconomic Policymaking in a Multipolar World. China Economic Review, doi://10.1016/j.chieco.2016.07.010.
Wang, J. (2016). Great Power Strategy: Research and Reflection on the International Strategy. Beijing: CITIC Publishing Group.
Wilkins, K.G. (2014). Advocacy Communication. In K.G. Wilkins, T. Tufte, and R. Obregon (Eds.). The Handbook of Development Communication and Social Change (pp. 57-71), West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Xi, J.P. (2015). Towards a Community of Common Destiny and a New Future for Asia. Keynote Speech delivered at the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, 2015, http://www.en84.com/nonfiction/remarks/201503/00016043.html.
Yang, D., Jiang, L. and Ng, A.K.Y. (2018). One Belt One Road, But Several Routes: A Case Study of New Emerging Trade Corridors Connecting the Far East to Europe. Transportation Research Part A, 117, pp. 190-204.
Zhai, F. (2018). China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Preliminary Quantitative Assessment. Journal of Asian Economics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2017.12.006.
Zhao, S., Tan, C.C. and Jiang, C. (2018). A Cross-Disciplinary View on Japanese ODA to Thailand and its Implications to One Belt One Road Initiative in Southeast Asia. A Keynote Speech Presented to First India Great Mekong Subregion (IGMSIG) 2018
International Conference, at Fr. Agnel College, Goa, India. Co-organized by Khon Kaen University, National University of Laos, Rajapark Institute Bangkok Thailand, The Institute of Social and Economic Initiatives Ukraine, University of Management and Economics Cambodia, and FATER India.
Zhao, S., Tan, C.C. and Jiang, C.C. (2019). A Cross-national Competitiveness and Hofstede Culture Studies as Implications for Catalyzing One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR) Initiatives. Research Progress Report. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, and School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University. May 2019.
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Published
2020-06-22
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Shulan, Z. ., ChingTan, C. ., Chun, J. ., & Yang, A. . (2020). Integrating Theories of International Relations and National Competitiveness for Supporting OBOR Initiative Implementation . Nimitmai Review Journal, 2(2), 16–37. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/nmrj/article/view/249222
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