Regional value-added trade network: Topological features and its evolution

Abstract

Using the OECD-ICIO (2018) Database, this paper constructs an ASEAN+3 value-added trade network and calculates its topological features, including the network as a whole and degree centralities of nodes from 2005 to 2015. Among aggregate topological features, the biggest fluctuation is index of average degree with downward trend while the other four indicators of average geodesic distance, reciprocity correlation, average clustering coefficient and degree assortativity are stable. In addition, the values of degree assortativity have been negative. From the perspective of nodes centralities, Japan and China have been top two according to the results of out-degree centrality and out-closeness centrality of nodes while Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand rank high on the indices of in-degree centrality and in-closeness centrality of nodes. Brunei Darussalam has been less involved in ASEAN+3 value-added trade network during the sample period. The hub countries such as Japan, China, Malaysia and Singapore need to advance the regional economic cooperation based on the advantages of countries and existing production network.