Digital economy and emerging markets

Digital economy and emerging markets

The Digital economy and emerging markets theme is committed to advancing research that addresses the growth, resilience, and sustainability of developing and emerging economies.

The implications and applications of technologies in the economy is a major area of research of the research theme. Combining theoretical and empirical approaches, the cluster explores the economic and financial dynamics shaping these regions, emphasising inclusive and sustainable growth and development. The theme is home to a team of 37 researchers.

Key expertise areas

Impactful research projects, funded by industry and government​.

Key accomplishments

From 2023 to 2025

Impact

195 publications with more than 70% A*/A/Q1 papers

Grants

30 external and internal grants, including 6 grants with total value of USD 50,000 from external funders

Completions

9 PhD completions

Research theme highlights

Theme lead

Dr Dao Le Trang Anh profile image

Dr Dao Le Trang Anh​

Dr Dao Le Trang Anh is a lecturer in Finance at RMIT Vietnam, Hanoi Campus. Dr Anh’s research expertise spans across climate change mitigation, financial development and Asian studies. She has published research articles in well-ranked journals (A*/A/Q1 journal). She was awarded “Research Impact Award – Early Career Academic” by The Business School at RMIT Vietnam in 2024 and “Literati Award Winners 2022” for Outstanding Paper from Journal of Economic Studies. Dr Anh currently serves as Associate Editor for International Journal of Social Economics.​

Profile details

Members

  • Professor Thai Nguyen - Deputy Dean, Learning and Teaching
  • Professor Tra Pham – Head of Department, Economics and Finance
  • Associate Professor Binh Nguyen - Associate Head of Department, Economics and Finance
  • Associate Professor Burkhard Schrage – Associate Head of Department, Management
  • Associate Professor Greeni Maheshwari - Associate Professor, Management
  • Associate Professor Huy Pham - Associate Professor, Finance
  • Dr Son Nguyen - Interim Associate Head of Department, Accounting and Law
  • Dr Samuel Buertey - Associate Senior Program Manager, Accounting & Law
  • Dr Binh Nguyen - Lecturer, Accounting
  • Dr Linh Nguyen - Senior Program Manager, Finance
  • Dr Huy Doan - Senior Lecturer, Finance
  • Dr Fiza Qureshi - Senior Lecturer, Finance
  • Dr Anh Nguyen - Lecturer, Finance
  • Dr Hanh Le - Lecturer, Finance
  • Dr Irfan Shakri – Lecturer, Finance
  • Dr Van Ha  - Senior Program Manager, Economics
  • Dr Richard Ramsawak - Senior Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Tung Bui  – Senior Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Ronald Kumar - Senior Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Nhung Vu – Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Chung Phan - Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Adeel Ahmed – Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Deepak Behera – Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Kashif Iqbal – Lecturer, Economics
  • Dr Tam Le – Lecturer, Digital Economy
  • Dr Phong Nguyen - Lecturer, Digital Economy
  • Dr Diem Vo – Lecturer, Digital Economy
  • Dr Son Ha – Lecturer, Digital Economy
  • Dr Haji Suleman Ali – Lecturer, Digital Economy
  • Dr Trinh Nguyen - Interim Senior Program Manager, Digital Economy
  • Dr Seng Kiong Kok – Head of Department, Undergraduate Business Programs (UGBP)
  • Dr Stanley Teck Lee Yap - Associate Program Manager, Undergraduate Business Programs (UGBP)
  • Dr Tuan Chu - Associate Program Manager, Undergraduate Business Programs (UGBP)
  • Dr Duong Vu - Research Fellow
  • Mr Nhan Nguyen – Interim Associate Program Manager, Undergraduate Business Programs (UGBP)

The Digital Economy Pathway: Potential Contributions of Digital Technologies for Vietnam to Overcome the Middle-Income Trap

The study encompass a comprehensive assessment of the current digital economy landscape in Vietnam, evaluate the economic impact of these technologies on growth, identify necessary regulatory frameworks and funding strategies, and develop initiatives for workforce development to attract and retain top talent. Ultimately, this research aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry leaders on leveraging digital opportunities to stimulate economic advancement in Vietnam.

Project lead: A/Prof Binh Nguyen

  • Baulch, B., Kok, S. K., & Jolex, A. (2024). A new approach to monitoring farmer prices: Method and an application to Malawi. The Journal of Development Studies, 60(6), 874–894. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2023.2291320 
  • Behera, D. K., & Viswanathan, P. K. (2024). The interface between economic growth, carbon emissions, and health in the Asia‐Pacific region: Analysis of unobserved distributional heterogeneity. Natural Resources Forum. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12584
  • Behera, D. K., Rahut, D. B., Haridas, H. T., & Tasneem, S. H. (2024). Public versus private health financing transition in low- and middle-income countries: Exploring the crowding-out effects. The European Journal of Development Research, 36(4), 957–986. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-023-00618-5 
  • Behera, D. K., Rahut, D. B., Padmaja, M., & Dash, A. K. (2024). Socioeconomic determinants of happiness: Empirical evidence from developed and developing countries. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 109, 102187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2024.102187 
  • Buertey, S., Nguyen, H. T., & Thompson, E. K. (2024). The audit committee and dividend policy: An empirical study of the post-SOX era. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 24(2), 346–364. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-10-2022-0408
  • Chen, Z., Little, V. J., & Nguyen, T. H. (2024). The evolving role of technology transfer offices in the Entrepreneurial University: Go-Betweens or playmakers? The Journal of Technology Transfer, 50(3), 1060–1079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-024-10123-4
  • Dao, A. L. T., Nguyen, Q. T. T., Nguyen, A. T. (2024). Investment decision and efficiency: Global insights on manufacturing firms amidst energy uncertainties. Energy Economics, 137, 107793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2024.107793
  • Dao, A. L. T., Nguyen, Q., & Nguyen, A. T. (2024). Investment decision and efficiency: Global insights on manufacturing firms amidst energy uncertainties. Energy Economics, 137, 107793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2024.107793 
  • Fang, H., & Iqbal, K. (2025). Information and communication technology, upgrading of industrial structure and spatial spillover effect. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02957-1
  • Geng, H., Hau, H., Michaely, R., & Nguyen, B. H. (2025). Common institutional investors and board representation in rival firms. Journal of Corporate Finance, 94, 102836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2025.102836
  • Gonzalez-Tamayo, L. A., Maheshwari, G., Krauss-Delorme, C., & Bonomo-Odizzio, A. (2025). Startup decision-making: Integrating trial-and-error with the entrepreneur-as-scientist approach. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 32(8), 169–196. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsbed-03-2025-0165
  • Hameed, I., Zainab, B., Akram, U., Ying, W. J., Chan Xing, C., & Khan, K. (2025a). Decoding willingness to buy in live-streaming retail: The application of Stimulus organism response model using PLS-SEM and Sem-Ann. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 84, 104236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2025.104236
  • Hussain, M., Yang, S., Maqsood, U. S., & Zahid, R. M. (2024). Tapping into the green potential: The Power of Artificial Intelligence Adoption in corporate green innovation drive. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(5), 4375–4396. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3710 
  • Jin, S., Gan, C., & Dao, A. L. T. (2024). Financial inclusion toward economic inclusion: Empirical evidence from China’s rural household. Agricultural Finance Review, 84(1), 67–89. https://doi.org/10.1108/afr-09-2023-0121
  • Jin, S., Gan, C., & Dao, A. L. T. (2025). Climate opportunity exposure and the cost of capital: Evidence from emerging market firms. China Finance Review International, 15(3), 526–551. https://doi.org/10.1108/cfri-01-2025-0026
  • Jin, S., Hoang, K., Gan, C., Nguyen, Q. T. T., & Dao, A. L. T. (2025). Russo-ukrainian geopolitical tensions: An empirical analysis of corporate investment in Europe. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 90, 102690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2025.102690
  • Kan, Q., Hou, D., Zahid, R. M. A., & Maqsood, U. S. (2024). Financial Resilience and Sustainability: Examining Green Innovation Trends post-stock price crashes in China. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 69(1), 74–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2024.2360574 
  • Khan, M. K., Huo, C., Ammar, M., & Maqsood, U. S. (2024). The automated sustainability auditor: Does artificial intelligence curtail greenwashing behavior in Chinese firms? Business Strategy and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3961
  • Kowshik, S. T., Chew, E. Y., & Lee, S. W. (2025). Knowledge transfer as a dynamic capability: A meta-analysis of its impact on organizational outcomes in international contexts. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2025.2519291
  • Kumar, D., Rahut, D. B., Padmaja, D. M., & Kumar, A. (2024). Socioeconomic determinants of happiness: Empirical evidence from developed and developing countries. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 102187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2024.10218
  • Kumar, R. R., & Stauvermann, P. J. (2024). Environmental injustice: The effects of environmental taxes on income distribution in an oligopolistic general equilibrium model. Sustainability, 16(10), 4142. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104142
  • Kumar, R. R., Stauvermann, P. J., & Dau, L. T. M. (2025). Does military spending really support economic growth in small island countries? A comparative study of Five Small Island countries. Defence and Peace Economics, 37(3), 422–451. https://doi.org/10.1080/10242694.2025.2503563
  • Kumkit, T., Dao, A. L. T., Gan, C., & Hu, B. (2023). Members’ perspectives of good governance practice of Thailand’s Credit Union Cooperatives. Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, 31(1), 55–73. https://doi.org/10.1108/jabes-06-2022-0154 
  • Lee, J., Chung, C. Y., & Pham, H. (2025). Antitrust deregulation and long-term performance of acquiring firms. International Review of Economics & Finance, 104, 104737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104737
  • Maqsood, U. S., Li, Q., & Zahid, R. M. (2025). Adoption of digital transformation from a firm’s creation to decline: The role of China’s mass entrepreneur and Innovation Campaign. Financial Innovation, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-024-00740-1
  • Maqsood, U. S., Li, Q., Hussain, H., Hussain, M., & Zahid, R. M. A. (2025). Regulating CEO compensation: A remedy for corporate misconducts in China’s state-owned enterprises. Borsa Istanbul Review, 25(3), 617–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2025.03.001
  • Maqsood, U. S., Li, Q., Wang, S., & Zahid, R. M. (2025). Government CEO pay regulation and corporate innovation performance: The role of CEO’s Career Horizon and shareholding. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 28(2), 543–568. https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251314891
  • Mishra, A., Hailemariam, A., Srivastava, P., & Maheshwari, G. (2024). Non-linear impact of income inequality on Mental Health: Evidence from low and middle-income countries. Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics, 29(5), 651–667. https://doi.org/10.1515/snde-2023-0113 
  • Nguyen, H. M., Nguyen, B. T., Pham, H., & Pham, T. T. T. (2024). The determinants of funding liquidity risk in decentralized lending. Global Finance Journal, 101055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfj.2024.101055
  • Nguyen, T. C., Nguyen, T. V., Schinckus, C., & Chu, T. T. (2025). Excess liquidity and risk: How economic policy uncertainty shapes corporate decisions post-crisis? Finance Research Letters, 83, 107739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2025.107739
  • Nguyen, T. C., Pham, T. T. T., Ha, V. T. C., & Dao, A. L. T. (2026). FDI dominance and the scope for a modern domestic industry. Research Policy, 55(1), 105368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2025.105368
  • Nguyen, T. C., Vu, N. T. H., Pham, T. T. T., Ramsawak, R., & Nguyen, N. T. (2024). Re-examining the effects of information and communication technology on Economic Growth. Technology in Society, 78, 102646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102646 
  • Pham, H., Mudalige, P., Le, H., Bui, M., Nguyen, V., Ramiah, V., Chu, T., & Vu, T. H. (2024). The effects of free trade agreements on the stock market: Evidence from Vietnam. PLOS ONE, 19(2), e0294456. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294456
  • Pham, T. H., Woyo, E., Truong, D. T., Dao, T. C., & Luu, T. T. (2025). Beyond personality: The role of social commerce interactivity and co-production in strengthening consumer−firm bonds. Young Consumers, 26(7), 274–297. https://doi.org/10.1108/yc-01-2025-2401
  • Pham, T. T., Bui, T. D., Chu, T., & Nguyen, T. (2025). Financial Inclusion, entrepreneurial activity and the moderating role of Human Capital: New cross-country evidence. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 17(7), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeee-09-2024-0415
  • Phan, C. T., Perera, D., Ramsawak, R., & Pham, T. (2025). The impacts of social network on non-farm self-employment: Evidence from Vietnam. Journal of Rural Studies, 114, 103530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103530
  • Ramsawak, R., & Nguyen, T. C. (2024). Evaluating the responsiveness of Caribbean stock markets – the case of covid-19. Heliyon, 10(14). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34259 
  • Roedder, F., & Schmid, S. (2025). The impact of foreign ownership on firms: A systematic literature review. Management Review Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-025-00504-w
  • Safiullah, M., & Nguyen, L. T. M. (2024). Does firm-level carbon assurance matter for trade credit? Finance Research Letters, 68, 106001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2024.106001
  • Saha, R., Jangbahadur, U., Israney, R. S., Sinha, M., Ahlawat, S., Akram, U., & Su, X. (2025). The psychological and emotional factors of gamification and customer experience. A systematic literature review and future research agenda. Acta Psychologica, 260, 105659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105659
  • Saleem, A., Zahid, R. M. A., & Sági, J. (2025). Differential impact of adopting Islamic Banking: A quasi-experimental approach. Research in International Business and Finance, 76, 102793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102793
  • Shah, S. S., Qureshi, F., Memon, F. A., & Uddin, M. H. (2024). Financial Literacy and investment behavior of individuals in Pakistan: Evidence from an environment prone to religious sentiment. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, 44, 100974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbef.2024.100974 
  • Shakri, I. H., Yong, J., & Xiang, E. (2025). Does capital structure mediate the relationship between corporate governance compliance and Firm Performance? empirical evidence from Pakistan. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 19(2), 408–428. https://doi.org/10.1108/jabs-08-2023-0315
  • Tanveer, U., Hoang, T. G., Truong, H. Q., Ishaq, S., & Gong, Y. (2024). The critical role of procurement in the emergence of circular business models: Insights from multiple cases of Vietnamese manufacturers. Business Strategy and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3888
  • Taran-Bozbay, A., Zahid, R. M. A., & Shakri, I. H. (2025). Does geopolitical risk drive earnings management? evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Finance Research Letters, 86, 108762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2025.108762
  • Tiwari, A. K., Trinh, H. H., Vo, D. T. H., & Sharma, G. D. (2025). How do economies decarbonize growth under finance-energy inequality? global evidence. Energy Economics, 142, 108172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2024.108172
  • Vu, K., & Nguyen, T. (2024). Exploring the contributors to the Digital Economy: Insights from Vietnam with comparisons to Thailand. Telecommunications Policy, 48(1), 102664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2023.102664 Ramsawak, R., & Nguyen Chau, T. (2024). Evaluating the responsiveness of Caribbean stock markets – the case of covid-19. Heliyon, 10(14). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34259
  • Ramsawak, R., & Trinh Nguyen Chau. (2024). Evaluating the responsiveness of Caribbean stock markets – The case of COVID-19. Heliyon, 10(14), e34259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34259
  • Safiullah, M., & Nguyen, L. T. (2024). Does firm-level Carbon Assurance Matter for trade credit? Finance Research Letters, 68, 106001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2024.106001
  • Safiullah, M., & Nguyen, L. T. M. (2024). Does firm-level carbon assurance matter for trade credit? Finance Research Letters, 68, 106001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2024.106001
  • Shah, S. S., Qureshi, F., Memon, F. A., & Uddin, M. H. (2024). Financial Literacy and investment behavior of individuals in Pakistan: Evidence from an environment prone to religious sentiment. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, 44, 100974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbef.2024.100974
  • Sobia Shafaq Shah, Qureshi, F., Farzana Akmal Memon, & Md Hamid Uddin. (2024). Financial literacy and investment behavior of individuals in Pakistan: Evidence from an environment prone to religious sentiment. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, 44, 100974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbef.2024.100974
  • Tanveer, U., Thinh Gia Hoang, Huy Quang Truong, Ishaq, S., & Yu (Jack) Gong. (2024). The critical role of procurement in the emergence of circular business models: Insights from multiple cases of Vietnamese manufacturers. Business Strategy and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3888
  • Trang, L., Thieu, T., & Nguyen, Tuan Anh. (2024). Investment decision and efficiency: Global insights on manufacturing firms amidst energy uncertainties. Energy Economics, 137, 107793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2024.107793
  • Vu, K., & Nguyen, T. (2024). Exploring the contributors to the Digital Economy: Insights from Vietnam with comparisons to Thailand. Telecommunications Policy, 48(1), 102664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2023.102664

Get in touch

Contact us

For further inquiries about the centre, please get in touch with the CBET team at: tbs.cbet@rmit.edu.vn

Visit us

Address: RMIT Saigon South Campus, 702 Nguyen Van Linh boulevard, Tan Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam 

Wi-Fi smart city or network. Low poly wireframe. Building automation with computer board illustration. Isolated on a dark blue background. Plexus points and lines. Wireless smart city or network.

Related links