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AbstractComparative advantage is often defined by relative autarky prices to span the Ricardian and Heckscher-Onlin-Samuelson models. During the 1960s-1970s the impossibility of having a universal definition of CA was established and model-specific definitions were searched for. More recent contributions have shown that tradable capital goods pose insurmountable obstacles even for constructing model-specific definitions. Another strand of the literature restated autarky prices as the definition of CA but contented with an explanation of trade with barely any empirical content that is valid only under very special assumptions. A more precise and comprehensive definition of comparative advantage is therefore missing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes that strong financial, judicial, and labor market institutions provide comparative advantage in clean industries, and thereby improve a country’s environmental quality. Five complementary tests support this hypothesis. First, industries that depend on institutions are disproportionately clean. Second, strong institutions increase relative exports in clean industries, even conditional on environmental regulation and factor endowments. Third, an industry’s complexity helps explain the link between institutions and clean goods. Fourth, a quantitative general equilibrium model indicates that strengthening a country’s institutions decreases its pollution through relocating dirty industries abroad, though increases pollution in other countries. Fifth, cross-country differences in the composition of output between clean and dirty industries explain more of the global distribution of emissions than differences in the techniques used for production do. The comparative advantage that strong institutions provide in clean industries gives one under-explored reason why developing countries have relatively high pollution levels.

We examined the role of top exporters in sub-national export specialization using Spanish firm-level export data at the province (NUTS 3) level. Our results show that, on average, 28% of aggregate exports in each province are in sectors where the top exporter determines the revealed comparative advantage (RCA). Moreover, provinces with sectors where the top exporter determines the RCA exhibit a more unstable pattern of export specialization over time. This result suggests that the characteristics and strategies of large firms may affect regional specialization patterns.

A prevalent feature of the global economy is the relevance of trade in intermediates due to production fragmentation. This phenomenon has led to the revival and development of trade models that include inter-industry relations. A wide variety of Ricardian trade models cope with this feature. In this article, we develop a Sraffa-Leontief framework to compare and appraise these models. The models are distinguished by their underlying theory of distribution and the assumptions about the degree of international capital mobility. We compare the predicted effects on employment and the distribution of domestic income. Furthermore, we assess if the model assures the existence of a shared trade pattern, i.e., if it can ensure that all countries engage in trade (as the principle of comparative advantage predicts). It follows from our appraisal that it is not warranted that all countries can engage in international trade, even if they want to. In other words, if allowed to work, the 'strong balancing forces' may not make a country internationally competitive in a world with production fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pepper is one of the spices that has an important function in the global food industry. Although Indonesia is one of the major pepper producers, it faces considerable challenges from competing countries such as Vietnam and Brazil. This study aims to evaluate the competitiveness of Indonesian pepper in the global market, identify factors that affect export performance, and provide strategic recommendations to improve Indonesia's position in the international market. This study uses a quantitative descriptive approach to evaluate the competitiveness of Indonesian pepper. Secondary data used are export statistics and global commodity market reports. The Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Export Product Dynamic (EPD) methods were used to analyze pepper export performance. The results showed that Indonesia experienced a decline in participation in the global value chain of pepper, with a decrease in exports from 29,692 tons in 2019 to 12,945 tons in 2022. Although Indonesia has an advantage in natural resources, it faces challenges from competing countries that have lower production costs and more efficient farming systems. Indonesia's pepper competitiveness is influenced by several factors such as product quality, innovation, and government policy support. Cooperation between the government and farmers is essential to improve the competitiveness of pepper in the international market. This study confirms that although Indonesia has great potential in pepper production, the existing challenges require serious attention. Improving Indonesia's pepper competitiveness requires the application of modern agricultural technology, product diversification, as well as stronger collaboration among all stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Biological Market Models are common evolutionary frameworks to understand the maintenance of mutualism in mycorrhizas. 'Surplus C' hypotheses provide an alternative framework where stoichiometry and source–sink dynamics govern mycorrhizal function. A critical difference between these frameworks is whether carbon transfer from plants is regulated by nutrient transfer from fungi or through source–sink dynamics. In this review, we: provide a historical perspective; summarize studies that asked whether plants transfer more carbon to fungi that transfer more nutrients; conduct a meta‐analysis to assess whether mycorrhizal plant growth suppressions are related to carbon transfer; and review literature on cellular mechanisms for carbon transfer. In sum, current knowledge does not indicate that carbon transfer from plants is directly regulated by nutrient delivery from fungi. Further, mycorrhizal plant growth responses were linked to nutrient uptake rather than carbon transfer. These findings are more consistent with 'Surplus C' hypotheses than Biological Market Models. However, we also identify research gaps, and future research may uncover a mechanism directly linking carbon and nutrient transfer. Until then, we urge caution when applying economic terminology to describe mycorrhizas. We present a synthesis of ideas, consider knowledge gaps, and suggest experiments to advance the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study attempts to explore the linkages between reliable big and cloud data analytics capabilities (RB&CDACs) and the comparative advantage (CA) that applies in the manufacturing sector in the countries located in North Africa (NA). These are considered developing countries through generating green product innovation (GPI) and using green process innovations (GPrLs) in their processes and functions as mediating factors, as well as the moderating role of data-driven competitive sustainability (DDCS). Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the aim of this study, 346 useable surveys out of 1,601 were analyzed, and valid responses were retrieved for analysis, representing a 21.6% response rate by applying the quantitative methodology for collecting primary data. Convergent validity and discriminant validity tests were applied to structural equation modeling (SEM) in the CB-covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) program, and the data reliability was confirmed. Additionally, a multivariate analysis technique was used via CB-SEM, as hypothesized relationships were evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and then the hypotheses were tested through a structural model. Further, a bootstrapping technique was used to analyze the data. We included GPI and GPrI as mediating factors, while using DDCS as a moderated factor. Findings: The empirical findings indicated that the proposed moderated-mediation model was accepted due to the relationships between the constructs being statistically significant. Further, the findings showed that there is a significant positive effect in the relationship between reliable BCDA capabilities and CAs as well as a mediating effect of GPI and GPrI, which is supported by the proposed formulated hypothesis. Additionally, the findings confirmed that there is a moderating effect represented by data-driven competitive advantage suitability between GPI, GPrI and CA. Research limitations/implications: One of the main limitations of this study is that an applied cross-sectional study provides a snapshot at a given moment in time. Furthermore, it used only one type of methodological approach (i.e. quantitative) rather than using mixed methods to reach more accurate data. Originality/value: This study developed a theoretical model that is obtained from reliable BCDA capabilities, CA, DDCS, green innovation and GPrI. Thus, this piece of work bridges the existing research gap in the literature by testing the moderated-mediation model with a focus on the manufacturing sector that benefits from big data analytics capabilities to improve levels of GPI and competitive advantage. Finally, this study is considered a road map and gaudiness for the importance of applying these factors, which offers new valuable information and findings for managers, practitioners and decision-makers in the manufacturing sector in the NA region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze trade specialization dynamics in Botswana, applying the Galtonian regression and Markov matrix on the Lafay index for the period of 1998 to 2019. Galtonian regressions reveal de-specialization – Botswana gained a comparative advantage in industries for which it was initially not specialized and became less competitive in industries for which it was initially specialized. The industry hierarchy was altered only slightly due to persistence in trade specialization patterns. The Markov matrix reveals stronger upward industry mobility than downward industry mobility. De-specialization suggests slow-paced economic diversification, induced by import substitution in de-specialized industries, rather than by an expanding export base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences is the property of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper analyzes how appropriation impacts comparative advantage through the general equilibrium approach. We find that appropriation can always reshape comparative advantage for both economies with strong and weak appropriation under different economic backgrounds. Specifically, whether the economy with stronger or weaker control on appropriation gains comparative advantage in the labor-intensive or capital-intensive product depends on the type of appropriation. More importantly, controlling on appropriation can make it feasible that a capital-intensive economy obtains comparative advantage in the labor-intensive product, which is against the prediction by the Heckscher-Ohlin theorem and may be helpful to explain the Leontief's paradox. We also examine the welfare effect of controlling on appropriation and the relationship between appropriation and the optimal tariff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut is rich in edible vegetable oil and protein, which is one of the important sources of edible vegetable oil in China. To clarify the relative advantages of peanut production in various cities and to optimize the layout of peanut production and further improve the total production capacity of oil crops in Henan Province, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of peanuts by using concentration and comparative advantage based on the production data of oil crops in Henan Province since 2001. Annual peanut yield showed an increase of 1.09 times in 2001-2022, accounted for 73.6% -90.7% of the total oil crop production in Henan Province. Since 2001, the distribution of peanuts had become more concentrated, with Nanyang and Zhumadian ranking among the top two production regions in the province. The concentration ratio (CR2) steadily increased from 28.1% to 53.0%. The peanut efficiency advantage indices of Nanyang, Zhoukou and Shangqiu were 1.031.35, 1.03-1.31 and 0.97-1.35, respectively. Nanyang, Zhumadian and Kaifeng had relatively obvious scale advantages, with the indices of 1.07-1.91, 1.56-2.14 and 1.39-1.83, respectively. In 2001-2022, Kaifeng had the comprehensive advantage index of 1.12-1.50 in peanut production. Over the same period, the advantage index rose from 1.08 to 1.41 in Nanyang, and increased from 0.81 to 1.44 in Zhumadian. As the most important oil crop in Henan Province, peanuts displayed a concentrated distribution trend. Nanyang and Zhumadian were the two core peanut production areas in Henan Province, with the peanut yield accounting for more than half of that in Henan Province. Kaifeng had obviously comprehensive advantages in peanut production, which however mainly relied on its prominent planting scale. In addition, both Zhoukou and Shangqiu showed a high level of peanut yield per unit area, but the relatively reduced planting areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines whether de-globalization has affected the trade patterns of Greece. Additionally, it explores the impact of de-globalization on the US, China, and Europe. Various indices and measures are utilized, namely, trade (% of GDP), the KOF globalization index and its subindices, relative comparative and relative trade advantages and participation in global value chains. The time period of the empirical analysis spans from 1970 to 2022. The findings indicate that Greece relies heavily on global trade and faces significant challenges due to its high dependence on imports of goods and its limited integration into global value chains (GVCs). The Greek economy exhibits persistent trade deficits, partially mitigated by the exports of services supported by its strong relative comparative advantage in transport and travel services. Exports of goods are concentrated on agricultural products, fuels, mining products and textiles, while exports of capitaland technology-intensive products are limited. Also, Greece's domestic value added in foreign final demand is weak. Furthermore, the study provides data on the trade patterns of key players in the global economic landscape, revealing significant signs of trade decoupling between the US and China. However, evidence shows that the EU's trade patterns remain relatively unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We analyze the evolution of comparative advantage in 1240 products from 49 low- and middle-income countries between 1995 and 2015. Countries with high education levels were more successful in developing comparative advantage in products unrelated to those they already exported. • Countries did not develop comparative advantage in products that were intrinsically complex or education-intensive. These results are robust to corrections for specification errors, for institutional, infrastructure, and FDI-related factors, for regional specialization patterns, for key shifts in global trade rules, and for each economy's degree of industrial dynamism prior to 1995. • The key role of education when seeking to develop new industries is to help a country learn to escape path dependence by managing unfamiliar challenges. We analyze the evolution of comparative advantage in 1,240 products from 49 low- and middle-income countries between 1995 and 2015. We show that countries with high education levels were more successful in developing comparative advantage in products unrelated to those they already exported. This effect is strongest for non-core products. In contrast, these countries did not develop comparative advantage in products that were intrinsically complex or education-intensive. These results are robust to corrections for specification errors, for institutional, infrastructure, and FDI-related factors, for regional specialization patterns, for key shifts in global trade rules, and for each economy's degree of industrial dynamism prior to 1995. These findings suggest that the key role of education when seeking to develop new industries is to help a country learn to manage unfamiliar challenges, and so overcome path dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between China (PRC) and the United States (USA) has reached an unprecedented level of tension, mainly due to economic and technological rivalry. This study introduces an original quantitative method, the Pentagon of Technological Competitiveness of Economy (PTCE) to measure the technological competitiveness of both countries from 2000 to 2020. The findings reveal that while the USA remains a global technological leader, the PRC is emerging as a formidable challenger. Although the USA still holds the lead, signs of decline are visible, while the PRC exhibits a remarkable upward trajectory in technological competitiveness. The findings provide actionable recommendations for policymakers. To reinforce its position as the unrivaled technological leader, the USA should prioritize enhancing capabilities in areas such as patents, scientific articles and the export of high technology and STEM-related products. For the PRC there is an unprecedented opportunity to surpass the USA in technological leadership by strategic investments in research, innovation and human capital development. The novelty of this research lies in two main areas: (i) its significant contribution to competitiveness analysis through the introduction of the PTCE method and (ii) its provision of a comprehensive assessment of the shifting technological dynamics between the USA and the PRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutmeg encounters challenges in productivity, quality, climate change, Covid-19 disruptions, and stagflation, requiring efforts to enhance competitiveness and meet global market demands. This study aims to analyze Indonesian nutmeg trade performance, assess competitive advantage, and formulate essential strategies to increase its competitiveness. Using comprehensive mixed quantitative and qualitative analysis, methods include export-import market share analysis, CAGR, import dependency ratio, import-to-export ratio, RCA, RSCA, RTA, and SWOT/QSPM analysis. The data obtained from in-depth interviews with key stakeholders was used for formulating strategies enhancing nutmeg's competitiveness. The findings underscore Indonesia's significant dominance in the global nutmeg market, with a considerable 61.6% market share but its export growth rate for nutmeg was less than the import annual growth. The competitiveness indicators demonstrated a robust comparative advantage of Indonesian nutmeg trade in the global market, especially for products categorized as "nutmeg, neither crushed nor ground" and "nutmeg, crushed or ground". Indonesian also has comparative advantage among other exporter countries. Crucial strategies of internal and external perspectives, such as expanding markets, improving nutmeg quality and productivity through improving farmer capacity, technological adoption, and good agricultural practices are necessary to take into account Indonesia's nutmeg competitiveness in global markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of structural transformation with respect to the CARICOM region's export sophistication and diversification dynamics. Trends in the data indicate that CARICOM, in relation to other country groups, has the lowest number of active export lines. The region also has a low number of commodities with comparative advantage, and an almost negligible number of highly sophisticated exports. The factors affecting export diversification were also evaluated in relation to resource and factor endowments, the regulatory environment and the degree of technical progress. The overall results, from a global perspective, indicate that countries which are technically advanced tend to have a higher degree of export diversification while resource reliant economies are shown to be less diversified. In terms of CARICOM, structural factors and technical progress significantly explain diversification, however as the ease of doing business improves, these countries tend to become more specialized therefore highlighting the tendency to focus on sectors in which they are relatively strong given their factor endowments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The analysis of competitiveness of Mexican mango in the global market from 1994 to 2020 was conducted. Design/methodology/approach: The revealed comparative advantage index (RCAI) and the normalized revealed comparative advantage index (NRCAI) were calculated, with the aim of understanding the exporting specialization of Mexico and thus determine the presence of comparative advantages in exports. Results: The average values obtained for the USA market were 1.09 (RCAI) and 0.04 (NRCAI), and for the Canadian market 6.33 (RCAI) and 0.69 (NRCAI). Conclusion: The export sector of Mexican mango is competitive and has comparative advantages because the indices are positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the general consensus in academia, Ricardo's theory of international trade embodies the theory of comparative advantage. The principle of comparative advantage he proposed, based on the model of physical trade and employing comparative cost analysis, holds that comparative advantage rather than absolute advantage forms the basis of the international division of labor and of international trade, and is thus the negation of Smith's theory of absolute advantage. However, a complete examination of Ricardo's theory of international trade shows that the comparative advantage determined by Ricardo on the basis of comparative cost analysis is precisely the absolute advantage of intra-sector competition across countries in physical trade. Moreover, Ricardo also established a monetary model compatible with his understanding of physical trade. This monetary model, which has generally been ignored by academics, and especially by those adhering to the mainstream, i.e., the neoclassical theory of comparative advantage, is in line with the principle of absolute advantage. In particular, Ricardo emphasized the decisive role of exogenous technological progress in altering positions of advantage. The present analysis, however, shows equally that what the neoclassical theory of comparative advantage actually proves is still absolute advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper computes Balassa's index of revealed comparative advantage for machinery and equipment (a rough proxy for high-tech goods) for a number of emerging areas (East Asia, South-East Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East) and for selected individual countries over some 50 years, from the early 1970s to the early 2020s. The focus is on why some economies were successful in promoting high-tech sectors. As could be expected, experience differs hugely. In some countries, interventionist trade or industrial policies were crucial in fostering comparative advantage. In others, however, the role of policies appears to have been minor and successes were achieved thanks to the free play of market forces (including an important contribution, at least in some countries, coming from foreign direct investment). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: China is the world's largest producer and consumer of vegetables, with all provinces, cities, and autonomous regions cultivating vegetables. The main production areas for winter and spring vegetables have higher accumulated temperatures, allowing for multiple planting seasons throughout the year. Therefore, this article examines the competitiveness of vegetable production in China's main winter and spring vegetable producing areas from the perspective of the dynamic evolution of comparative advantages. Methods: Drawing on statistical data from 2000 to 2018 on the development of the vegetable industry in these key provinces, our analysis incorporates methods such as the Resource Endowment Coefficient, the Comprehensive Comparative Advantage Index, the entropy method, and systematic cluster analysis to explore the evolution of competitive advantages in vegetable production across various provinces and cities. Results and discussion: The findings reveal significant regional disparities in resource endowments and overall advantages in vegetable production during the winter and spring seasons. Notably, Chongqing, Hubei Province, and Shanghai exhibit a Resource Endowment Factor (EF) averaging above 1, indicating a relative abundance of production resources and a comparative advantage. Similarly, Hainan Province, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong Province, Fujian Province, Shanghai, and Zhejiang Province each demonstrate an average Comprehensive Advantage Index (AAI) exceeding 1, affirming their comprehensive comparative strengths. Overall, the competitiveness of vegetable production in these regions exhibits a fluctuating yet ascending trend, with notable disparities in competitive strengths across different areas. The ranking of annual average competitiveness scores in vegetable production is as follows: Shanghai > Zhejiang > Hubei > Hunan > Guangdong > Sichuan > Chongqing > Fujian > Guangxi > Jiangxi > Hainan > Yunnan. Based on these outcomes, the study proposes tailored strategic recommendations for provinces and cities according to their unique resource endowments and comparative advantages, aiming to enhance the sector's productivity and competitive stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the origin, content and importance of a manuscript essay on "Foreign trade" which George Grote, the historian of Greece, submitted to David Ricardo in March 1819. By relating it to the contributions to foreign trade theory of Ricardo and of James and John Stuart Mill it is shown that Grote anticipated important elements of the "Sraffa-Yukizawa-Parrinello interpretation" of Ricardo's cloth-and-wine example. By suggesting that comparative advantage-based trade is incompatible with the labour theory of value Grote also pointed to an apparent incongruity in Ricardo's chapter "On Foreign Trade." A transcription of Grote's manuscript essay is provided in the appendix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate changes in Italy's competitiveness in the global wood products market, with a particular focus on wooden furniture and wood panels, both final and intermediate products of the crucial wooden furniture supply chain. The analysis is conducted through a cross-country comparison using trade flow matrices and various descriptive indices: Market Share, Trade Competitiveness Index, Balassa's Revealed Comparative Advantage Index, and the Symmetric Balassa Index. Furthermore, this study also examines intra-industry trade using the Grubel–Lloyd Index. While each index has its limitations when used individually, their combined analysis can provide a more comprehensive view. The study covers the period from 1996 to 2019, using data from FAO and COMTRADE sources. The results show that Italy maintains a significant position in the international furniture market, although this position has deteriorated over time. Conversely, Italy remains a net importer of wood panels. Trade flows have become more concentrated, with Canada and Germany still holding importance in the international market. However, Asian countries have now become the core of the commercial network. China has emerged as the leading exporting country in all product categories considered, with Vietnam and Malaysia also increasing in importance. Noteworthy progress has also been recorded by Russia and Poland in Europe. Additionally, the study discusses the implications of these findings for rural development, particularly in regions dependent on the wood-product sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the evolution of the production patterns of major crops and their driving factors can provide new ideas to ensure the security of supply of important agricultural products. This study selected four major crop types in Jilin Province—grain, oil crop, vegetable, and fruit—as research subjects. Using the center of gravity migration model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and comparative advantage index, the spatial and temporal evolution of these crops' production patterns from 2000 to 2020 was examined. A geographically weighted regression model was employed to analyze driving factors. The results showed that the planting area of grain was the most extensive; the percentage of production of grain, oil crop, and fruit increased to different degrees; the unit area yield of the four crops increased. The centers of gravity of all four crops' productions were located in the central-northwestern region of Jilin Province. The global Moran's I was positive for all four crops' productions. The comparative advantage characteristics of the four crops were closely related to the natural geographical environment. Grain, vegetable, and fruit production were significantly and positively correlated with fertilizer application, and the most significant factor affecting oil crop production was land input intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating water footprints and virtual water into crop redistribution provides a new approach for efficient water resources utilization and synergistic development of water surplus and scarce regions. In this work, the absolute and comparative advantage of the production‐based blue and gray water footprint (PWFblue and PWFgray), the calorie‐based blue water footprint (CWFblue) and the net benefit‐based blue water footprint (NBWFblue) were used as coefficients to establish a bi‐level crop redistribution model. The mode considers upper‐level decision makers interested in maximizing food security and ecological security and lower‐level decision makers interested in water use efficiency, water use benefits and net benefits. The model was applied in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. The results showed that after optimization, the PWFblue, CWFblue, NBWFblue, and gray water footprint (GWF) of the HID were reduced by 23.32%, 5.60%, 17.40%, and 6.67%, respectively. National benefits were improved, especially when considering synergistic optimization, although the net benefits of HID was affected. The calorie supply increased by 9.6 × 109 kcal, the GWF decreased by 8.29 × 106 m3, and water use efficiency and benefits were improved in China. In contrast, the calorie supply and the net benefits of the HID decreased, while the GWF increased. Moreover, multiple stakeholders were involved in crop redistribution and required national synergies. The bi‐level model proved more suitable than the multi‐objective model. The model proposed in this work considers synergies outside the region in crop redistribution within the region, and can provide new insight for water and soil resources management in arid and semi‐arid regions. Key Points: Virtual water flow embedded in optimization model reflecting comparative advantageAbsolute advantage and comparative advantage synergize interregional interestsBi‐level optimization model trade‐offs regional authority and sub‐regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an analysis of China's trade relations with Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), Bulgaria (BGR), Croatia (HRV), Romania (ROU), Serbia (SRB), and Slovenia (SVN). It underscores the fundamental principles of international trade and the reciprocal advantages arising from collaboration between China and these CEEC nations. The analysis explores economic indicators, including GDP, current account balance, merchandise exports and imports, and agricultural product trade. Additionally, the paper highlights the stable economic conditions in China, characterized by consistent interest rates and minimal consumer price index fluctuations. Building on the stable economic conditions in China, the paper emphasizes the potential for win-win collaboration without currency risk. It proposes a strategic partnership involving the supply of advanced financed machinery from China to CEEC nations in exchange for fixed quantities of crops. The objective is to cultivate mutual economic and technological growth within a dependable and predictable trade environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, international trade has evolved into international production fragmentation captured in GVCs. Countries must enhance intermediate exports in comparative advantage sectors to increase their trade in value-added (TVA) in global production chains. However, traditional measurements of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) based on gross exports need to be updated due to overvaluation, double counting, and implicit distortions in international trade. This study uses a new comparative advantage measure, "new revealed symmetric comparative advantage" (NRSCA). Using a dynamic General Method of Moment (GMM) approach, we investigate the role of comparative advantage in driving TVA regarding backward and forward linkages and examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data from the current Asian Development Bank multi-regional input–output database for 2010–2020. Our findings reveal that comparative advantage significantly impacted international TVA, along with the support of quality institutional services in each country. Implementing a new comparative advantage measure, NRSCA, provided accurate estimation results to overcome the overvaluation problem. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted value-added trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logistics is an essential service for manufacturing because it supports the coordination and integration of global production activities, ultimately reducing costs and improving efficiency. However, it is not clear that the complex structural relationship between logistics and manufacturing under the Global Value chains (GVCs). Consequently, employing the input-output model, we develop the logistics input complexity (LIC) to capture the complex structural characteristics of logistics services embodied in manufacturing sectors and investigate its role in manufacturing comparative advantage. We find that the logistics input complexity can boost manufacturing competitiveness. Furthermore, we also confirm that the domestic and foreign groups of LIC have at least a partially complementary effect on the export competitiveness of manufacturing. Finally, we identify heterogeneity in the domestic and foreign groups’ five subdivision logistics modes of LIC. It suggests that logistics service providers must precisely match the related manufacturing production chains to cultivate a comparative advantage in manufacturing.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, MIST ülkelerinin ihracat rekabet güçlerini, çeşitli indeksler kullanarak belirlemek ve Türkiye’nin söz konusu ülke grubu içerisindeki durumunu tespit etmektir. Bunun haricinde, MIST ülke grubu içerisinde yer alan Türkiye’nin ihracat rekabet gücü değerlendirilerek ihracat ve ithalat politika önerilerinde bulunulması da çalışmanın amaçları içerisinde yer almaktadır. Bu amaçla, çalışmada söz konusu ülkelerin rekabet güçlerini belirlemek için 2012-2021 dönemi 10 yıllık ihracat-ithalat verileri WITS veri tabanından çekilmiştir. İhracat Benzerlik İndeksi analiz sonuçlarına göre, MIST ülkeleri arasında Türkiye ile en fazla ihracat benzerliğine sahip olan ülke Meksika olmuştur. Net İhracat İndeksi analiz sonuçlarına göre, Meksika’nın 71, Endonezya’nın 82, Güney Kore’nin 96 ve Türkiye’nin ise 97 ürün grubunda rekabet avantajı elde ettiği belirlenmiştir. SITC Teknoloji Sınıflandırması sonuçlarına göre ise Meksika’nın sermaye yoğun ve kolay taklit, Endonezya’nın hammadde ve emek yoğun, Güney Kore’nin sermaye yoğun, kolay ve zor taklit, Türkiye’nin ise emek ve sermaye yoğun ürünlerin ihracatında rekabet gücünün olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

This paper examines the asymmetric link between carbon pricing and the comparative advantage in environmental goods exports in South Africa from 1995 to 2021. The non‐linear autoregressive distributed lag model is utilized to investigate the effects of both minor and major positive and negative fluctuations in carbon taxes, technological innovation, and energy transition on comparative advantage. The results reveal that carbon taxes have an asymmetric effect on comparative advantage in both the short and long runs, with positive shocks exerting a greater beneficial influence than negative shocks. Specifically, it is found that a 1% reduction in carbon taxes corresponds to a 1.24% decline in the response variable, whereas a 1% increase in carbon taxes is associated with a 2.72% increase in comparative advantage in environmental goods exports, which is twice as large. The study also uncovers evidence of an asymmetric relationship between low‐carbon technological innovation and comparative advantage in environmental goods exports. However, strong evidence of a long‐run asymmetric linkage between the energy transition and comparative advantage is not established. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that a positive shift in energy transition is linked with a 0.32% rise in comparative advantage in environmental goods exports, whereas a negative shift in energy transition corresponds to a 0.11% decrease. The practical policy implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agricultural Outlook (1673-3908) is the property of Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Opportunities in the coconut industry are promising. However, several issues remain unresolved, including ageing coconut plants, shrinking land area, inaccessible technology for farmers, a lack of financing, uneven market absorption, and a dearth of diverse coconut products. This study aims to look at the impacts of government intervention on the comparative advantage of coconut farming in Malaysia. Scopus, the Web of Science, and Emerald were the three electronic databases that were searched for publications between 2010 and 2023 (i.e., a cumulative index to give an overview of the impacts of government intervention on the comparative advantage of coconut farming in Malaysia). Titles and abstracts were checked separately from the entire content. Furthermore, this review highlights that out of the twenty articles examined, no single article was authored in Malaysia. This suggests that there needs to be more research conducted in Malaysia on this subject. The analysed research demonstrates that government interventions can have both positive and negative effects on the comparative advantage of coconut farming. Supportive policies such as subsidies, research funding, and infrastructure development aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness can bolster Malaysia's position in the global coconut market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a model of North–South trade and development and investigates the growth rates of two countries under a trade pattern that the North specializes in investment goods while the South specializes in consumption goods. Many studies on North–South trade conclude that both countries' growth rates are equalized in the long run. Conversely, we show that if the ‘comparative advantage’ is explicitly considered, both countries' growth rates are not equalized in some cases and, hence, the South cannot catch up with the North even in the long run. Unlike many previous studies, we close the model by fixing each country's income distribution and making the price and quantity variables interdependent. Our results show that the growth rates of both countries are equalized in the long run if their trade patterns are fixed, irrespective of their comparative advantages, whereas their growth rates are not equalized in some cases if their trade patterns are determined by the comparative advantage principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed various descriptive, conceptual, and empirical models to measure South Africa's competitiveness in the Asian strategic markets concerning its competitors from 2003 to 2022. The competitiveness measurements included relative comparative advantage, the net export index, relative trade advantage, and constant market share analysis. The data were sourced from official databases such as the World Bank, FAO, ITC, export potential map, and World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS). The South African competitiveness of oranges in the specified strategic markets realized a positive competitive effect of 2.46%, indicating a gain in the market due to increased competitiveness of the fresh food sector in the world market. The RCA values were above 1, with most of the values closer to 20 indicating that South Africa has a good comparative advantage in the production of oranges. Egypt and Greece were the competitors, with average values of 16.9 and 19.7, respectively. The South African orange industry has positive export performance, with values close to 100, which indicates that the country is a net exporter of oranges and is experiencing a sustained comparative advantage. The RTA index values were mostly positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where and when does export-led growth work? This paper estimates the importance of inter-industry productivity spillovers for the export-led growth of developing countries. My empirical strategy is based on a standard quantitative trade model that features sector-level gravity in trade flows. Applying the framework to four decades of trade data, I find clear evidence of spillovers, which are larger for skill-intensive sectors. The estimates imply that patterns of sectoral specialization play a quantitatively important role in accounting for the slow convergence of labor productivity in tradable sectors. Quantitative exercises suggest that export-led growth works for poorer countries with an initial comparative advantage in manufacturing, as these countries can use foreign demand from richer countries to reallocate labor towards sectors with high spillovers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a conceptual and empirical framework to develop rural transformation strategies tailored to the agroecological potential and market access of rural areas in Pakistan. Such a framework allows to move away from stereotypical countrywide policies as in use in Pakistan and many other countries. Using publicly available geospatial measures of vegetation greenness and an urban gravity model to proxy the agricultural market demand, we classify Pakistan's rural districts into categories with similar comparative advantages and describe dominant livelihood activities. The framework recommends market-based approaches to support commercial agriculture or non-agriculture business development in well-connected areas and where households have accumulated human and physical capital. In areas with less developed agricultural potential or market access, households will benefit from area-based and community-driven development, skill development, and labor programs. Since data collection is often challenging in rural areas, statistical agencies can use such an empirical framework to advise policymakers on prioritizing public investments and tailoring rural transformation pathways. In addition, statistical agencies can also extend the framework at different levels of resolution, from national to local level, and complement it with primary data sources to validate the usefulness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]