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The Trade Competitiveness of Southern Emerging Economies: A Multidimensional Approach Through Cluster Analysis

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  • Pierluigi Montalbano
  • Silvia Nenci

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="twec12195-abs-0001"> This paper investigates the trade competitiveness of the new emerging Southern economies – China, India, Brazil and South Africa (CIBS) – with respect to their main global partners. Starting from the commonly held view that countries with trade patterns similar to those of emerging countries are likely to suffer losses, we propose a multidimensional approach based on cluster analysis, both crisp and fuzzy, as an alternative strategy for assessing similarity in global trade patterns. On the basis of key trade characteristics drawn from the diverse strands of trade theory, we assess the relative position of CIBS within global trade patterns and their evolution over time. Unlike previous studies, our results do not support the hypothesis of the presence of a competitiveness threat from Southern emerging countries towards the main industrialised economies.

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  • Pierluigi Montalbano & Silvia Nenci, 2014. "The Trade Competitiveness of Southern Emerging Economies: A Multidimensional Approach Through Cluster Analysis," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(6), pages 783-810, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:37:y:2014:i:6:p:783-810
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/twec.2014.37.issue-6
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jianhong Zhang & Désirée van Gorp & Haico Ebbers, 2019. "What Determines Trade Between China And India During The Recession Of 2008–2012?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 37(2), pages 389-406, April.
    3. Xingye Zhou & Helian Xu, 2024. "Emissions Reduction Target Plan and Export Product Quality: Evidence from China’s 11th Five-Year Plan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-21, February.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis

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