Linking Economic Complexity, Diversification, and Industrial Policy with Sustainable Development: A Structured Literature Review

Diogo Ferraz, Fernanda P. S. Falguera, Enzo B. Mariano and Dominik Hartmann
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Diogo Ferraz: Department of Economics (DEECO), Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Rua do Catete, 166, Centro, Mariana 35420-000, Brazil
Fernanda P. S. Falguera: Department of Production Engineering, São Paulo State University, Avenida Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, Núcleo Residencial Presidente Geisel, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil
Enzo B. Mariano: Department of Production Engineering, São Paulo State University, Avenida Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, Núcleo Residencial Presidente Geisel, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-29

Abstract: Research on economic diversification and complexity has made significant advances in understanding economic development processes, but has only recently explored environmental and social sustainability considerations. In this article we evaluate the current state of this emerging literature and reveal 13 research gaps. A total of 35 different keywords and methods from structured literature reviews and network science helped to identify 374 scientific articles between 1988 and 2020 and revealed a fragmented research landscape around three larger network communities: (1) industrial policies, climate change, and green growth; (2) economic complexity and its association with inequality and environmental sustainability; and (3) economic diversification, including studies on livelihood diversification in poor areas. Economic complexity research applies new empirical methods and considers both social and environmental sustainability, but seldom scrutinizes theory and policy. Industrial policy research focuses on green growth policies but tends to omit social sustainability issues and advanced empirical methods. Research on economic diversification in poor regions provides insights on the livelihood diversification of farmers, but is disconnected from the economic complexity and industrial policy research. This review helps to summarize the main contributions and shows pathways for potential mutual learning between these communities for the sake of sustainable development.

Keywords: systematic literature review (SLR); economic complexity; human development; sustainability; rural livelihood; diversification; industrial policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1265-:d:486974

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