State Effectiveness and Crises in East and Southeast Asia: The Case of COVID-19

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This manuscript discusses appropriate approaches for dealing with devastating crisis by focusing on the worldwide coronavirus spreading. In this manuscript, South Korea and Vietnam are considered as the state that has successfully acted against the consecutive aspects of the coronavirus spreading. This manuscript seems to be well edited as a timely report of the state-of-the-art status of the actions by the two countries. However, no new academic lessons can be drawn from the contents.  

(1) In “Introduction,” the coronavirus spreading should be specifically discussed, instead of presenting other social problems, such as earthquake, terrorism, and so on.

(2) Although the title of section 2 is “Background and Method,” few descriptions are found on method. The authors intend to show that they employed the comparative qualitative method. However, it cannot regarded as a method that can be used in academic research.

(3) According to the discussion made by this manuscript, through seeing what South Korea and Vietnam did, we need to be lessened about the significances of preparedness, decisive action and some other attitudes. Nevertheless, this statement is sufficiently recognized by anyone, and involves no new findings.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

Point 1: In “Introduction,” the coronavirus spreading should be specifically discussed, instead of presenting other social problems, such as earthquake, terrorism, and so on.

 Response 1: A few sentences have been added to the Introduction about the COVID-19 pandemic. These comments highlight the severity of this crisis and the potential for countries to develop effective responses using a diversity of government-led strategies.

Point 2: Although the title of section 2 is “Background and Method,” few descriptions are found on method. The authors intend to show that they employed the comparative qualitative method. However, it cannot regarded as a method that can be used in academic research.

Response 2: A short explanation of the method - Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) - has been added plus references about the method.

Point 3: According to the discussion made by this manuscript, through seeing what South Korea and Vietnam did, we need to be lessened about the significances of preparedness, decisive action and some other attitudes. Nevertheless, this statement is sufficiently recognized by anyone, and involves no new findings.

Response 3:  The article has been revised in light of this comment from Reviewer 1. A clearer statement of the key lessons for crisis management from the experiences of South Korea and Vietnam has been provided in the Discussion section of the paper.

Reviewer 2 Report

As this paper is well written, it can be published in the present form. However, it can be improved much if the authors make a comparative analysis of economic performances in the two countries, including state expenditures for COVID-19 and reduced face-to-face contacts in firms, considering the impacts of digitization (online meetings and teleworking)  and globalization.     

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

Point 1: It can be improved much if the authors make a comparative analysis of economic performances in the two countries, including state expenditures for COVID-19 and reduced face-to-face contacts in firms, considering the impacts of digitization (online meetings and teleworking)  and globalization.

Response 1: Reviewer says - "can be published in present form" but recommends adding materials about economic matters. The article contains an economic update on the performance of the Korean and Vietnamese economies into 2022. An extended discussion of economic matters relating to both countries though is beyond the scope of this article.

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript sustainability-1741664 is devoted to the study of the state effectiveness in crises on the example of Сovid-19. The reviewed article is interesting for scholars and theme of the article meets the scope of the journal. Work is performed at sufficient scientific level and has good quality; the results of study are professionally interpreted. The manuscript may be considered for publication after minor revision in Sustainability. Prior publication of this manuscript following points needs to be addressed:

1)      In the introduction, it is worth quoting a few sentences that characterize the world crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2)      Tables 1-4 should specify the source of information. It is worth referring to the appropriate detailed reference, and not limited to the names of the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center or World Bank Data Center; UNDP.

3)      In Chapter 3. Case Study Country Experiences, the dynamics of Сovid disease and vaccination should be presented graphically (graphical representation of data) for a better understanding of the material and its discussion.

4)      References list should be carefully checked and journal style policy should be strictly followed (Abbreviated Journal Name, doi, citation rule for books and monographs, etc).

5)      Moderate English changes required. There are grammar/typing and orthographical errors in the manuscript. Formal requirements have not been met.

My decision is minor revision

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 3 Comments

Point 1: In the introduction, it is worth quoting a few sentences that characterize the world crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Response 1: The discussion of other crises in East and SE Asia in the Introduction is to contextualise COVID-19 in terms of crises and their management more generally. A paragraph on COVID-19 in East and SE Asia has been added to the Introduction.

Point 2: Tables 1-4 should specify the source of information. It is worth referring to the appropriate detailed reference, and not limited to the names of the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center or World Bank Data Center; UNDP.

Response 2: As requested, the authors have specified the source of the information for Tables 1-4.

Point 3: In Chapter 3. Case Study Country Experiences, the dynamics of Сovid disease and vaccination should be presented graphically (graphical representation of data) for a better understanding of the material and its discussion.

Response 3: The reviewer requested quantitative data be presented in graphs - It was not possible to improve the presentation of data by converting the tables to graphs, or by adding additional graphs.

Point 4: References list should be carefully checked and journal style policy should be strictly followed (Abbreviated Journal Name, doi, citation rule for books and monographs, etc).

Response 4: The references and style have been updated and thoroughly checked for consistency. All journal references DOIs have been added and all abbreviations have also been checked and amendments have been made.

Point 5: Moderate English changes required. There are grammar/typing and orthographical errors in the manuscript. Formal requirements have not been met.

Response 5: The paper has been thoroughly proofread and all queries in relation to grammar and/or typing and orthographical errors have been fixed.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The presented revisions have sufficiently improved the manuscript.