Measuring Digital Trade Development in ASEAN: A Mixed-Method Framework

Abstract

This study presents a methodological framework for measuring digital trade development in ASEAN, employing a mixed-method research design to evaluate five critical measures: health systems, human security, economic integration, digital transformation, and sustainable future. The research methodology integrates quantitative analysis of data from 30 digital trade exporters across six ASEAN countries with qualitative thematic analysis following Boyatzis' approach, incorporating document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. A dedicated literature review highlights gaps in existing frameworks and informs methodological choices, while statistical power analysis validates adequacy for detecting significant differences despite modest sample size limitations (n=30). The analysis reveals statistically significant disparities in implementation levels across ASEAN countries (ANOVA: F(5,24)=12.34, p<.001), with digital transformation emerging as the most significantly implemented measure (M=3.70), followed by human security (M=3.63), economic integration (M=3.57), health systems (M=3.53), and sustainable future (M=3.37). Post-hoc analysis (Tukey's HSD) indicates significant differences between advanced tier and emerging tier countries (p<.001) and between intermediate and emerging tier countries (p<.01). Cross-case analysis identifies three distinct implementation tiers: advanced implementation (Singapore), intermediate implementation (Indonesia and Malaysia), and emerging implementation (Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand). These findings provide actionable insights into digital trade development strategies tailored to tier-specific challenges and opportunities. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of mixed-method approaches in business research, particularly in examining complex regional economic phenomena. This research framework contributes to the existing scholarship on digital trade development in regional economic communities through the use of rigorous methodological approaches and comprehensive analysis. The findings have both theoretical and practical implications for researchers and policymakers studying the evolution of digital trade, as well as for filling critical gaps in existing measurement frameworks for developing regions. The study contributes to academic discourse by enhancing measurement frameworks for developing regions while informing policy decisions aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth in ASEAN. By combining rigorous statistical analysis with qualitative insights, this framework offers a method to quantify and compare the level of digital trade development across different regional economic communities, contributing to the broader understanding of their trade evolution and informing future policy decisions.