Ha Nguyen Son

This study aims to explore and identify key past research directions and propose future research avenues related to the legal framework of free trade zones (FTZs). The bibliometric data were collected through the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) database systems. After merging the datasets and filtering English-language publications from 2004 to 2024, a total of 103 documents were retained. The research methodology employed in this study includes descriptive statistics and keyword co-occurrence analysis, supported by the VOSViewer software. The findings reveal that China is the leading country in publishing research on the legal aspects of FTZs. Past studies have formed four clusters corresponding to four fundamental research directions. They include (1) Arbitration and dispute resolution in China’s free trade areas; (2) The impact of international trade laws and regulations on risk assessment and tax systems in global trade, including FTZs; (3) The role of financial and governance regulations in pilot FTZs; and (4) The legal framework and impact of FTZs in Shanghai and special economic zones on international trade. This study contributes evidence showing that China is a pioneering country in researching, developing, and refining legal policies for free trade zones in order to enhance its impact on the global economy.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Editor-in-Chief and a reviewer for their helpful comments, which, in our view, have significantly improved the quality of the manuscript. This study is also the result of collaboration between researchers from the University of Law, Hue University, and Duy Tan University. The authors would like to thank both institutions for their support and facilitation in the publication of this research.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study aims to examine and measure the impact of the dispute resolution mechanism (including its effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanism, government support, and the quality of the legal system) on trust in the investment environment within free trade zones (FTZs), as perceived by business managers. The data were gathered through a survey of 780 managers representing enterprises operating in 18 economic zones from October 2024 to February 2025 in Vietnam, a developing country in Southeast Asia. The results of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis indicate that the dispute resolution mechanism influences trust in the investment climate within FTZs through the mediating roles of two key factors: trust in the dispute resolution mechanism and perceived risks in business management. Moreover, trust in the dispute resolution mechanism within FTZs is shaped by three factors, ranked in ascending order of positive impact: (1) quality of the legal system, (2) effectiveness of the dispute resolution mechanism, and (3) government support. Meanwhile, only the quality of the legal system has a statistically significant negative impact on the perception of business management risks. These findings underscore the need to enhance the legal framework governing FTZs, improve law enforcement mechanisms, strengthen investor protection, and support businesses in legal compliance. These challenges pose critical policy considerations for countries aiming to develop and implement the FTZs model effectively.

Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank the Editor-in-Chief and a reviewer for their helpful comments that in our view have helped to improve the quality of the manuscript significantly. Besides, this study is the result of collaboration between researchers from the School of Law, Hue University, and Duy Tan University. The authors would like to thank both institutions for their support and facilitation in the publication of this research.