The influences of technology development on economic performance—The example of ASEAN countries

In this paper, we propose a research framework to discuss the relationships between technology development (TD) and economic performance (EP) for The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. A lot of researchers have in the past focused on technology transfer, technology acquisition, and technology management in this region. Though some researchers have discussed the relationships between information and communication technology (ICT) and economic growth in developed countries, seldom have studies been conducted to consider the issue of the influences of TD on EP in developing and less-developed countries. In this study, a cluster analysis on TD achievements is used to distinguish the different patterns of such influences in the ASEAN area. Variations between TD and EP are detected using the rank correlations and strategic grid methods. The first method explains the matching levels between each sub-category; the second method divides the TD performance into four types (fitting type, retuning type, inadequate type, and ignoring type), thus, explains the relative performance of ASEAN countries we studied. All of the survey data are compared with those from International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), and Asia Development Bank (ADB) databases and are thus confirmed to be factual. The results show that most of the sub-categories of TD in pattern 1 countries (Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei) exhibit positive correlations with those of EP (except the information technology sub-category). Singapore and Malaysia (of the fitting type) perform at a higher level on both TD and EP relative to other ASEAN countries. In contrast, all sub-categories of TD in pattern 2 countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) show lower or negative correlations with the domestic economy and government efficiency sub-categories EP. Finally, this research can provide ASEAN countries with a roadmap on how to move from pattern 2 to pattern 1 and how to shift from being of the ignoring type to the fitting type in the future.