Competitiveness of the ASEAN countries : corporate and regulatory drivers / edited by Philippe Gugler and Julien Chaisse.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. The ASEAN in a New Era: Unveiling the Premises / Julien Chaisse and Philippe Gugler -- PART I: THE ASEAN INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS CHALLENGES WITHIN THE REGIONAL INTEGRATION PROCESS -- 2. The Competitiveness of the ASEAN Economies: Business Competitiveness and International Challenges / Philippe Gugler and Pavida Pananond -- 3. Multinationals and the International Competitiveness of ASEAN Firms / Nessara Sukpanich and Alan Rugman -- 4. MNE Linkages in ASEAN / Axel̀e Giroud and Hafiz Mirza -- 5. Accelerating ASEAN Trade and Investment Cooperation and Integration : Progress and Challenges / Siow Yue Chia -- 6. The Harmonization of ASEAN: Competition Laws and Policy from an Economic Integration Perspective / Lawan Thanadsillapakul -- 7. Digital Divide in ASEAN Countries: Explaining the Gap / Chalita Srinuan, Ibrahim Kholilul Rohman, Pratompong Srinuan and Erik Bohlin -- PART II: THE INTEGRATION OF ASEAN IN THE WORLD ECONOMY: THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF FTAs -- 8. Are ASEAN FTAs Used for Exporting? / Ganeshan Wignaraja -- 9. Free Trade Agreements between Japan and ASEAN Member States: A Marriage in Heaven? / Sufian Jusoh and Intan Murnira Ramli -- 10. Integration Experience and Trade Performance of the Indo-ASEAN FTA: Learning by Doing to Live up Great Expectations / Debashis Chakraborty and Dipankar Sengupta -- 11. ASEAN-China FTA: A Pragmatic Approach to Regulating Services and Investment / Jun Xiao -- 12. ASEAN-EU FTA Negotiations: Waiting for Godot?/ Ludo Cuyvers, Lurong Chen and Philippe de Lombaerde.

In an age in which it is increasingly necessary for nations to consider their competitiveness and at a time when the world economy is facing recession, this book explores the possible trajectory of ASEAN -- arguably one of the most dynamic areas in the world -- as a regional economic and political bloc. This important and timely study focuses on the role of foreign direct investment in advancing the performance of ASEAN and the competitiveness of its firms, whereas other studies typically focus solely on the role of trade. The expert contributors -- an interdisciplinary assembly of economists, lawyers and political scientists -- present a comprehensive view of ASEAN's experiences over the past decade, addressing the industrial competitiveness of ASEAN and analysing the role of MNEs against the background of the challenges of integration. They illustrate that regional integration will only be a success if ASEAN's linkages are broadened with global partners through negotiations of Free Trade Agreements. The book concludes that although much still remains to be done, and many promises are still to be unveiled, ASEAN's 'coming of age' is a historic milestone. Competitiveness of the ASEAN Countries will appeal to a broad readership including students, academics and researchers with an interest in Asian studies, international business, international economics and international law.