A Review of Global Competitiveness Research: Past Advances and Future Directions. Issue 4 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chabowski, Brian R.; Mena, Jeannette A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of international marketing. Volume 25:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: global competitiveness -- international competitiveness -- multidimensional scaling -- cocitation analysis -- intellectual structure; Export marketing -- Periodicals; Export marketing -- Management -- Periodicals; 382.605
• DOI: 10.1509/jim.16.0053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1069-031X

Abstract

The global competitiveness (GC) literature has proven to be a developing, yet critical element in international marketing research. Broadly, GC studies have become a part of the marketing, international business, and strategic management fields. In light of this far-reaching topic and to gain a unique understanding of the dynamics across the GC domain, this study examines the intellectual structure of GC research at two distinct levels of analysis: overall GC publications and marketing and international business GC articles. This review of the literature uses cocitation data to provide insight to the field and develop a research-based model for future consideration. A total of 48 journals are included, providing 1, 819 articles with 115, 462 citations for examination. Applying multidimensional scaling to analyze the data, the study introduces a GC-focused model and provides possible topics for research. The proposed organizing framework includes elements of a market-based perspective (offering development, market orientation, and process emphasis), strategy implementation (firm-related advantages, strategic approach, and international focus), and performance to advance the critical nature of the marketing function in the GC literature.