'The Korea Academy of International Business Education'
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the contribution international trade makes to growth in small population developed economies, with an emphasis on Australia, using complex network analysis. We also investigate the opportunities available so these economies to improve their position within the international trade network through membership of a trade integration bloc, and we discuss the role that firm-level actions play in the generation of the macro-level patterns of trade and development. Complementary case study data from Australian firms regarding their process of integration with the international trade network are drawn upon to elaborate these actions. The findings indicate that economic growth is primarily driven by the formation of new international trade connections. However, such connections are difficult for small firms to make, which poses potential problems for countries whose economies are dominated by small firms
