DETERMINANTS OF DIGITAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR VIETNAM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62985/j.huit_ojs.vol26.no3E.479Keywords:
Digital economy, Southeast Asian countries, Driscoll-Kraay panel estimation.Abstract
This study examines the key determinants of digital economy development in Southeast Asia and draws policy implications for Vietnam. Based on endogenous growth theory, human capital theory, and institutional theory, the research employs panel data from Southeast Asian countries and applies advanced econometric techniques, including unit root tests, cointegration analysis, and Driscoll-Kraay estimations. The findings indicate that education is the most influential factor driving digital economy growth. Governance quality, however, exhibits a negative association with digital development, suggesting that traditional governance effectiveness may not align with the institutional flexibility required for digital transformation. Additionally, CO₂ emissions are positively associated with digital development, implying that digitalization may currently function as an adaptive response to structural and environmental pressures. These results provide important empirical evidence and practical policy recommendations for Vietnam in promoting sustainable and innovation-driven digital growth.
References
[1] H. Ha and C. K. P. Chuah, "Digital economy in Southeast Asia: Challenges, opportunities and future development," Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 19–35, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/SEAMJ-02-2023-0023
[2] World Bank, World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends. Washington, DC, USA: World Bank, 2016.
[3] United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Digital Economy Report 2019: Creating and Capturing Value. New York, NY, USA: United Nations, 2019. https://unctad.org/publication/digital-economy-report-2019
[4] United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Digital Economy Report 2021: Cross-Border Data Flows and Development. New York, NY, USA: United Nations, 2021. https://unctad.org/publication/digital-economy-report-2021
[5] OECD, OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2024, vol. 2. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/3adf705b-en
[6] R. E. Lucas Jr., "On the mechanics of economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 3–42, 1988, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3932(88)90168-7
[7] P. M. Romer, "Endogenous technological change," Journal of Political Economy, vol. 98, no. 5, part. 2, pp. S71–S102, 1990, doi: https://doi.org/10.1086/261725.
[8] G. S. Becker, Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. Chicago, IL, USA: University of Chicago Press, 1964.
[9] E. M. Rogers, Diffusion of Innovations, 5th ed. New York, NY, USA: Free Press, 2003.
[10] D. C. North, Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 1990.
[11] M. L. Katz and C. Shapiro, "Network externalities, competition, and compatibility," American Economic Review, vol. 75, no. 3, pp. 424–440, 1985.
[12] OECD, Measuring the Digital Economy: A New Perspective. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2014. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264221796-en
[13] OECD, OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2020. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/bb167041-en
[14] World Bank, Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) Initiative. Washington, DC, USA: World Bank, 2020. https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/all-africa-digital-transformation
[15] K. L. Gold, W. O. Shittu, and F. Tregenna, “Digitalization, globalization, natural resources and institutions: implications for economic growth in landlocked African countries,” African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, pp. 1–18, 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-02-2025-0132
[16] B. N. Adeleye, S. Arogundade, and B. Mduduzi, “Empirical Analysis of Inclusive Growth, Information and Communication Technology Adoption, and Institutional Quality,” Economies, vol. 11, no. 4, Apr. 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/economies11040124
[17] D. Acemoglu, S. Johnson, and J. A. Robinson, “The colonial origins of comparative development: An empirical investigation,” American Economic Review, vol. 91, no. 5, pp. 1369–1401, 2001, doi: https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.5.1369
[18] D. Rodrik, A. Subramanian, and F. Trebbi, "Institutions rule: The primacy of institutions over geography and integration in economic development," Journal of Economic Growth, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 131–165, 2004, doi: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOEG.0000031425.72248.85
[19] D. H. Autor, F. Levy, and R. J. Murnane, "The skill content of recent technological change: An empirical exploration," Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 118, no. 4, pp. 1279–1333, 2003, doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/003355303322552801
[20] T. Niebel, "ICT and economic growth—Comparing developing, emerging and developed countries," World Development, vol. 104, pp. 197–211, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.11.024
[21] J. Benhabib and M. M. Spiegel, "Human capital and technology diffusion," in Handbook of Economic Growth, vol. 1, P. Aghion and S. N. Durlauf, Eds. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier, pp. 935–966, 2005, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0684(05)01013-0
[22] E. Borensztein, J. De Gregorio, and J. W. Lee, “How does foreign direct investment affect economic growth?” Journal of International Economics, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 115–135, 1998, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1996(97)00033-0
[23] F. Caselli and W. J. Coleman II, "Cross-country technology diffusion: The case of computers," American Economic Review, vol. 91, no. 2, pp. 328–335, 2001, doi: https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.2.328
[24] M. D. Chinn and R. W. Fairlie, "The determinants of the global digital divide: A cross-country analysis of computer and internet penetration," Oxford Economic Papers, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 16–44, 2007, doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpl024
[25] OECD, The Economic Impact of Information Technology: Measurement, Evidence, and Implications. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2004. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264026780-en
[26] G. M. Grossman and A. B. Krueger, "Economic growth and the environment," Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 110, no. 2, pp. 353–377, 1995, doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/2118443


