The Past and the Future of Competitiveness Research: A Review in an Emerging Context of Innovation and EMNEs

Abstract

Fields of strategy, competitiveness, and international business research are evolving steadily as more vexing challenges emerge and demand innovation. Key objective of this study is to longitudinally review literature on competitiveness and innovation to identify future sustainable directions. We adapt a systematic literature review approach to discern patterns in individual fields and at the intersection. This, complemented by review of patterns of trends in contributions by select countries and longitudinal experiential view of more than a quarter century of journey of author across select countries, provided new insights. We use the insights to evolve high-potential future topics for research, clustered by contexts, theory, and practices. This review—at the interfaces of theory and practice, and fields across disciplines—will help readers understand the gaps and explore opportunities for research projects in new directions. Synthesis of findings at the interface would facilitate pathways to further research and practice to enhance competitiveness across levels and sustainability.