Competitive Strategy Research Articles

Competitiveness And Competitive Strategies

The business competitiveness is one of the most recurrent study topics in the last century and a matter of great concern in Latin American countries, given the changing conditions of the markets. This article aims to analyze the relationship between the strategic management of organizations and business competitiveness in order to validate the most significant actions that medium and small-sized enterprises in Colombia can adopt. A descriptive bibliometric analysis of publications in Scopus on strategic management and competitiveness was conducted. VosViewer was used to determine the co-occurrence between terms and authors. In the chosen database, 7,877 publications were found, of which 7,134 correspond to strategic management and 743 to business competitiveness. The data show that scientific production on strategic management was primarily concentrated in the years 2019 and 2023, with 583 and 586 publications, respectively (508 on average per year), while in business competitiveness, the years 2020 and 2021 had the highest outputs, with 75 and 77 publications, respectively (55 on average per year). At a global level, the countries with the highest productivity in publications, based on the search equations, are the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, with 320, 128, and 122 publications, respectively, during the period from 2013 to 2023, totaling 2,649 authors cited in cross-references. Thus, it is concluded that, based on the bibliometric analysis conducted in VosViewer using the search equations, co-occurrences were identified in 275 keywords across 11 clusters, which link the concepts of business competitiveness with competitive strategy, strategic resources, organizational competitive dynamics, and strategic planning. Essentially, these co-occurrences allow a holistic, systemic, and complex approach to the topic of strategic business competitiveness in the current environments faced by SMEs, characterized by unpredictability, disruption, and turbulence. The limitations identified in the development of this bibliometric analysis are based on the identification and application of a systematic literature review methodology, which enables an effective and concise bibliometric analysis. Additionally, the potential research areas that can be addressed include strategic business competitiveness, applicable to all micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Indirect Construction of Chiral Metal-Organic Frameworks for Enantioselective Luminescence Sensing.

ConspectusChiral metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates as luminescent sensing materials for chiral species, which are essential components in modern industries, pharmaceuticals, and biological processes. The discrimination of enantiomers with highly similar physical and chemical properties is crucial because they are often present concurrently in the same system but may feature distinct effects on living matters. While the rapid and precise sensing capabilities of chiral MOFs outshine traditional detection methods for chiral species in daily life, chemical production, and the natural environment, it requires well-matched chemical and electronic structures between MOFs and chiral species. Yet, conventional strategies to construct chiral luminescent MOFs are immensely challenging due to the crystallization difficulties based on low-symmetric building blocks.Recent advancements in MOF chemistry have led to novel pathways for synthesizing chiral MOFs for enantioselective sensing. Compared with direct synthesis using optically pure luminescent ligands, which are usually complex and costly, indirect synthesis has garnered significant attention for reduced costs, simplified synthesis, enhanced material stability, and broad application scope. In the past few years, our group has developed chiral guest ion exchange, chiral coordination modification, and chiral defect engineering for indirectly synthesizing chiral MOFs. The chiral guest ion exchange is cost-effective for introducing chiral ions into MOF pores but can be applied only in charged frameworks. In addition, it also faces limitations in chiral ion availability and the tendency toward chirality loss during the sensing process. Besides, compared with ion exchange, the chiral coordination modification can maintain the chemical stability of chiral MOFs due to the stronger coordination bonds. Still, it requires MOFs with accessible open metal sites that may bind disordered dangling molecules, complicating structural determination. Therefore, specific pathways such as chiral linker installation with dual-end coordination have been developed to afford well-defined crystal structures. While all aforementioned methods may decrease the MOFs' pore sizes to a certain degree, we further developed a chiral defect engineering approach to enlarge pore size and introduce chiral center simultaneously. Such a highly competitive strategy is facile and low-cost and can be expanded to many well-known stable MOFs.In this Account, we delve into the intricate evolution of indirect strategies for constructing chiral MOFs tailored for enantioselective sensing applications. We provide a detailed analysis of the progression and innovation within the field, tracing the development of MOF-based enantioselective luminescence sensors. By systematically reviewing the various synthetic approaches, this work highlights their respective strengths and limitations. Beyond reviewing the state of the art, this Account offers forward-looking insights aiming to inspire the design and development of next-generation chiral luminescent MOFs. These advanced materials hold promise for versatile and impactful applications across enantioselective sensing and beyond.

Strategic IPO Timing of Technology Innovation-Driven Enterprises: A Differential Game Analysis of Market Returns, Disclosure Costs, and Industry Dynamics

This article develops a dual-oligopoly differential game model to analyze how technological impacts influence product market competition. This model undertakes a systematic examination of the strategic balancing act enterprises engage in when confronted with technological innovation opportunities, weighing market returns against information disclosure costs in the context of IPO decision-making. The findings reveal that the temporal dimension of technological catch-up and the firms’ intrinsic innovation capabilities are pivotal determinants of IPO timing. Specifically, enterprises that have achieved rapid technological parity and possess robust innovative capacities are more prone to expedite IPOs, seeking to secure funding for further technological advancements and market expansion endeavors. Conversely, elevated information disclosure costs may incentivize companies to postpone IPOs, aiming to shield their technological assets and market strategies from premature competitor scrutiny. Additionally, the study highlights the paradoxical influence of intense market competition: while it incentivizes early IPOs to bolster resource acquisition for competitive strategies, it also exacerbates the detrimental effects of disclosure costs on IPO timing. In conclusion, this investigation not only contributes to the theoretical corpus on IPO decision-making but also offers pragmatic guidance for corporate executives in crafting IPO strategies and serves as a valuable reference for fostering the sustainable development of capital markets.

Building sustainable campuses for the future: the case of MDI Murshidabad

Learning outcomes This case study introduces some elements of strategic management process that instils competitive advantage on an entity such as a higher educational institute (HEI). It endeavours to achieve the following goals: comprehend strategy implementation through the sustainability paradigm; demonstrate the concept of cost-benefit analysis in strategy; analyse the challenges to new product adoption; and deliberate on extension of the project to include newer areas for greening. Thus, students would be taught about strategy implementation through the sustainability paradigm: they would be introduced to the concept of cost-benefit analysis through an application of the concept in strategic decision-making; students would be taught the about the challenges in new product (such as greening equipment) adoption; and they would be guided to deliberate on the extension of the project in newer areas of greening. Case overview/synopsis Prof Atmanand, as the Director of MDI Murshidabad (MDIM), was combating the challenge of leading the campus of the fledgling institute in its initial years. It was May 2023. MDIM was a business school in West Bengal, India. Atmanand had formulated a strategy of “greening” of the campus using a solar lighting system and organic waste converter to start off. The first steps were initiated in early 2021. The possible gains from this move needed to be weighed against the possible costs. Possible benefits included reductions in electricity expenditure, easier conformation to contemporary waste disposal norms, better scores in HEI-ranking exercises and increase in brand value of MDIM. The principal costs were: capital expenditure, possible higher payback period and challenge in adoption of sustainability products such as organic waste converter. The case study engages the student to learn about competitive strategy design and implementation in an HEI, and the resulting challenges. The case study can consequently be used in a Master’s level course in strategic management (competitive strategy) in the context of sustainability management, or as a case in the elective sustainability management offered to the senior batch in the MBA curriculum. The case study weighs out the benefits of the “greening” programme at MDIM against its possible costs. The possible benefits were manifold: reduction in electricity bills, easier conformance to contemporary waste disposal norms and higher scores at HEI-ranking exercises, both at the national and the international levels. Some benefits were not so quantifiable, such as better “press”, and consequent increase in brand value of MDIM. Weighted against these were the costs, capital expenditure, possible higher payback period and lack of in-house operational expertise (such as mechanics). The decision is not easy; although there are numerical tools (indicated in the case), they must be supplemented with a holistic understanding of the context, and any decision to be taken would require a combination of qualitative understanding along with numerical indicators. The case also exhorts the reader to understand problems in adoption of sustainability products and attempts to look to the future in terms of managerial initiatives. Complexity academic level This case study is suitable for postgraduate level (MBA) and executive programmes. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS4: Environmental Management.

An Assessment of Multi-dimensional Factors Influencing Patronage of E-Commerce Channels in Beijing, China: Inputs for Loyalty Program

Cognizant of the growing Chinese e-commerce as one of the fundamental elements of the modern world because of technological advancements, this empirical study investigated e-businesses that utilize a variety of digital channels, such as social media, websites, and specialized applications, to market their products. Through a quantitative-descriptive research method, this study assessed the factors influencing e-commerce patronage, including product type, product quality, pricing competitiveness, user experience, and information security. The respondents were 300 customers of Tiktok, TaoBao, and JingDong in Beijing, China, chosen through quota sampling, who completed a survey questionnaire as the primary instrument for gathering data to answer research problems and test the hypothesis. The results revealed that user experience is highly influential in e-commerce patronage. The impact of these elements on patronage may vary depending on user preferences, platform design, and the overall shopping journey. The availability of a wide range of products on e-commerce platforms attracts customers looking for diverse options, influencing their patronage decisions. Competitive pricing strategies, including discounts, promotions, and price comparisons, significantly influence customers' choice of e-commerce channels. Trustworthiness and security of payment methods, data protection, and overall transaction security play a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. The factors influencing e-commerce patronage are not significantly affected by demographic characteristics such as age, sex, educational attainment, and income.

Moulding intergovernmental relations through tiao-kuai governance: dissecting the multi-scalar politics of intercity railway projects in China

ABSTRACT This article explores the dynamics of intergovernmental relations in China, specifically focusing on the tiao-kuai governance system and its role in regional infrastructural development, using intercity railway projects as a case study. The tiao-kuai system, characterised by vertical (tiao) and horizontal (kuai) governance, illustrates the complex interplay between central authority and local autonomy. Drawing on the Territory, Place, Scale and Network (TPSN) framework, this study analyses how multi-scalar politics shape regional competition and governance strategies, particularly in the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta intercity railway projects. Our findings highlight tensions between national priorities and local interests, as well as negotiation processes between various levels of government. This article underscores the importance of both top-down and bottom-up dynamics in regional development, unfolding how state spatial strategies are operationalised in a hybrid model of governance. This study contributes to the understanding of state space and intergovernmental collaboration in China’s large-scale infrastructure projects.

Trade-off strategies between growth and defense of spring ephemeral plants in early spring

IntroductionSpring ephemeral plants represent a unique ecological category of herbaceous plants, characterized by early blooming and vivid flowers with significant ornamental value. Understanding the adaptive strategies of spring ephemerals is crucial for the introduction and cultivation of early spring plants, as well as for optimizing light energy utilization and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.MethodsWe evaluated 26 functional traits across four spring ephemerals and four spring non-ephemeral plants along an elevation gradient. By establishing a plant functional trait network, we examined the adaptation strategies of early spring plants at different elevations and compared the differences in adaptation strategies between two types of plants.ResultsSpring ephemerals exhibited higher concentrations of carbon and nitrogen, lower concentrations of carbohydrates, higher edge density and modularity in trait networks, and stronger linkages between defense traits. Plants at higher elevations demonstrated higher leaf dry matter content and leaf total flavonoid concentration, and lower nitrogen concentration, influenced by temperature, precipitation, and soil nutrients.DiscussionThese results demonstrated that spring ephemerals have a strong nutrient uptake capacity, and adopt resource competition strategies to rapidly accumulate nutrients and reproduce. The plants at higher elevations adopt more conservative strategies, with trait networks showing increased modularity, edge density, and closer correlations among traits to enhance resource utilization. This study provides new insights into the adaptive strategies of spring ephemerals by demonstrating how plants allocate resources for growth and defense through the regulation of trait variation and correlations among traits.

Hydrogen Bond Competition Optimizing Aqueous Zn Ion Solvation and (002) Interfacial Deposition with Ultralong Stability

AbstractAqueous zinc‐ion batteries have garnered significant interest due to their inherent safety, cost‐effectiveness, and high capacity. However, water molecules in the electrolyte adsorb onto the surface of the negative zinc electrode via hydrogen bonding and dissociate into H+ and OH− under an electric field. This creates a local alkaline environment at the interface, promoting zinc dendrite growth, surface corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, a hydrogen bond competition strategy for optimizing aqueous electrolytes based on low‐cost polyhydroxyl organic additive maltitol is proposed. The addition of maltitol disrupts the hydrogen bond network of the aqueous electrolyte and reduces the activity of water molecules, replacing one of the water molecules in the solvation structure [Zn(H2O)6]2+. Additionally, maltitol preferentially adsorbs on the Zn (002) surface compared to water molecules. This stable deposition of the Zn (002) crystal faces inhibits dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution. The Zn||Zn symmetric battery assembled with 0.4 m maltitol has an ultralong cycle time of 4500 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2. Zn||NH4V4O10 full batteries also show better cycling performance than non‐additive devices.

Market Potential Evaluation of Photovoltaic Technologies in the Context of Future Architectural Trends

In order to elucidate the market potential and competition strategies of various photovoltaic (PV) technologies in the context of future architectural trends, taking into account the aesthetic impact and evolving architectural styles, a suite of market assessment methodologies was proposed and applied to systematically evaluate five commercially available PV technologies. Three methodologies were employed or introduced: a comprehensive weighting approach that integrates the TOPSIS entropy weight method with user weight surveys, cumulative prospect theory (CPT), and a market integration method. The survey revealed that price emerged as the paramount factor distinguishing technologies, with a score of 4.8766, closely followed by conversion rates, at 4.8326. Aesthetics was deemed 3% more significant than government subsidies to consumers, scoring 4.4414. During the evaluation, technical indicators were translated into professional financial metrics. The results indicated that crystalline silicon PV technologies hold market advantages in both traditional and transparent applications. Monocrystalline silicon exhibited the highest utility in traditional settings, with a value of −0.0766, whereas polysilicon topped the charts in transparent applications, scoring −0.0676. However, when aesthetics was fully factored in, thin-film technologies began to outperform crystalline silicon, initially in transparent settings and subsequently in traditional ones. When both scenarios were merged, the market share of thin-film PVs increased with a rise in transparent applications, while that of crystalline silicon PVs decreased. Sensitivity and comparative analyses yielded diverse outcomes, validating the robustness of the findings. Further research unveiled that, beyond utility and cost, competition and technological factors also influence market shares, particularly when contemplating future shifts in architectural styles and innovations in product aesthetics. Considering the above, crystalline silicon PV can dominate the PVs in the building market due to their advantages of cost and efficiency, and thin-film PVs can increase their own market share with their aesthetic advantages in the future.

Selection effects in the births of mutual funds

AbstractNewborn funds disproportionately hold popular stocks, representing long‐lived strategic choices. This suggests that when choosing strategies in which to launch new funds, families do not consider only expectations for their own performance but also consider investor sentiment toward those strategies. The two motives for entry result in an interaction effect between competitive entry and strategy popularity, which affects performance and flows for both existing and newborn funds. Newborn funds' expectations for performance are partly driven by fund manager skill in those strategies, but this is not the only factor, leaving a role for time‐varying investment opportunities.

Applying Factor Analysis to Assess Employment Competitiveness Strategies: A Data Science Perspective

Applying Factor Analysis to Assess Employment Competitiveness Strategies: A Data Science Perspective

Competitive Strategy in Managing Café Djayataruna Business, Natar District, South Lampung Regency

As people increasingly seek spaces that offer both food and relaxation, cafes and recreational venues are gaining popularity. This study examines the marketing strategies employed by Café Djayataruna, focusing on its marketing mix. Through a qualitative case study, the research involved interviews with the owner, employees, and customers, alongside observations of the café’s operations. The findings reveal the café’s strengths, such as its diverse menu, unique experience, and strong social media presence. A SWOT analysis shows promising opportunities for growth, including food delivery services and local collaborations. However, challenges like operational inefficiencies and limited market reach need attention. The study concludes that by focusing on innovation and customer satisfaction, Café Djayataruna can strengthen its competitive position and ensure long-term success.

Enhancing Loyalty through E-Service Quality and Brand Experience: The Role of Customer Satisfaction in Nike’s Indonesian Market

The rapid expansion of digital commerce has significantly elevated part of electronic service quality (e-service quality) and brand experience in influencing competitive strategies, especially for global brands like Nike. As a dominant force in the sportswear industry, Nike has continually adapted to meet its customers' evolving needs, not only by offering innovative products but also by delivering high-quality digital experiences. This study specifically examines Nike’s Indonesian market, exploring the effects of e-service quality and brand experience on brand loyalty, with customer satisfaction acting as a mediating variable. There was utilization of a quantitative research design and information was gathered through Google Forms using purposive non-probability sampling, resulting in a total of 207 respondents. The information was examined using Structured Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM) to investigate the connections between the variables. The outcomes show that e-service quality has a substantial beneficial result for both customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, indicating that a strong digital service environment is essential to fostering loyalty. Additionally, brand experience constructive effects customer satisfaction, though it doesn't directly impact brand loyalty. Customer satisfaction was found to mediate the relationship between e-service quality and brand loyalty, underscoring its crucial role in maintaining customer loyalty. However, the data did not support customer satisfaction as a mediator between brand experience and brand loyalty. These results offer valuable insights for global brands like Nike, highlighting the direct influence of e-service quality on brand loyalty. This underscores the importance of prioritizing customer satisfaction and enhancing the overall digital service experience to remain competitive in the market.

Reverse vaccinology: A strategy also used for identifying potential vaccine antigens in poultry.

Vaccination of livestock plays a major role in improving animal health, welfare and productivity, but also in public health by preventing zoonotic diseases. Advances in bioinformatics and whole-genome sequencing techniques since the 2000s have led to the development of genome-based vaccinology, called reverse vaccinology. Reverse vaccinology is a rapid and competitive strategy that uses pathogen genome sequences to screen for and identify potential vaccine antigens and, unlike conventional methods, does not require culturing the pathogenic microorganism, at least initially. Based on in silico approaches and dedicated software, reverse vaccinology has led to the identification of a wide range of proteins as putative vaccine candidates against human pathogens and has been applied more recently to several animal diseases. After a brief overview of the principle of the approach and its applications in human medicine, this review focuses on the use of reverse vaccinology for the development of vaccines specifically for poultry, a representative example of livestock vaccination, and discusses the important points to consider when using this method.

Monkeypox diagnosis based on probabilistic K-nearest neighbors (PKNN) algorithm.

Although it is not a new illness and has been around since the previous century, monkeypox later resurgence is fraught with difficulties. This study presents a novel approach of diagnosing monkeypox using artificial intelligence, which is called Effective Monkeypox Diagnosis Strategy (EMDS). The proposed EMDS is established through two sequential stages, namely; (i) Pre-Processing Phase (PP) and (ii) Monkeypox Diagnosing phase (MDP). During PP the input image dataset is prepared through three processes, which are; feature extraction, feature selection, and anomaly rejection, while the actual diagnosis performed in the MDP. Features are extracted from input images using GoogleNet as an effective pre-trained deep learning model, while Leopard Seal Optimization (LSO) is employed to select the most instructive features. The major contribution of this paper is focused in two issues, which are; (i) introducing a new methodology for rejecting anomalies from the input image dataset based on interquartile range (IQR), and (ii) proposing a new instance of K-Nearest Neighbor classifier for monkeypox diagnosis, which is called; Probabilistic K-Nearest Neighbors (PKNN) Algorithm. The proposed PKNN combines evidence from distance based traditional KNN as well as the Naïve probabilistic theorem used by Naïve Bayes (NB) algorithm in an integrated way. Numerous experiments have been conducted considering the proposed EMDS as well as recent competitive strategies on two public monkeypox datasets, which are; the Monkeypox Skin Image and Lesion Datasets (MSID and MSLD, respectively). Initially, the performance of the basic contributions of the proposed EMDS, which are the outlier rejection methodology (ORM) and PKNN, are evaluated individually. Then, EMSD as a whole is evaluated. Moreover, an ablation study has also been conducted to evaluate the effect of ORM and PKNN on the performance of EMSD. Based on the experimental results, it is shown that EMDS outperforms recent monkeypox identification strategies as it achieves 99% diagnosis accuracy. Moreover, it indicates the maximum precision and recall with the minimum diagnosis time.

Penentuan harga pokok produksi berbasis activity based costing (Studi kasus pada UD Trikora)

An accurate cost measurement system is essential to determine production costs and improve profitability. This research aims to analyse the cost of production of cakalang fish floss at UD Trikora using the Activity Based Costing (ABC) method. The method of analysis used is qualitative with a descriptive approach. The results of this study indicate that the application of the ABC method at UD Trikora in 2023 resulted in a production cost of IDR 136,000. These results show that the ABC method can identify each activity and its associated costs, enabling the company to allocate costs more accurately. In addition, the application of this method can assist management in determining more competitive pricing strategies. The results of this study are expected to serve as a reference for the company to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Artificial intelligence adoption, digital innovation, and information technology governance in IT companies in Beijing, China: Basis for an enhanced competitive advantage strategies

Artificial intelligence adoption, digital innovation, and information technology governance in IT companies in Beijing, China: Basis for an enhanced competitive advantage strategies

Achieving High Solid–Liquid Ratio through Competitive Coordination towards Efficient Recovery of Metals from Spent Batteries

AbstractThe recycling of critical metals from spent lithium‐ion batteries represents a significant step towards meeting the enhancing resource requirements in the new energy industry. Nevertheless, achieving effective leaching of metals from the stable metal‐oxygen (MO6) structure of spent ternary cathodes and separation of metal products simultaneously still remained a huge challenge towards industrial applications. Herein, a competitive coordination strategy was proposed to design a novel deep eutectic solvent (DESs), which improved both leaching and selective metal recycling capacity even at high solid–liquid ratio (1 : 10). The results demonstrated that the number of hydrogen bonds in designed ternary DESs was 16.5 % higher compared to those in the binary DESs, resulting in efficient reaction kinetics to break the metals‐oxygen bond. More importantly, the competing‐ligand (p‐toluenesulfonic acid) could preferentially enter into the first nanostructure sheath and reduce the proportion of solvated oxalic acid (OxA) from 28.36 % to 17.76 % within the nanostructure, which enable OxA molecules to enhance the coordination interaction with metal for precipitating NiC2O4 ⋅ 2H2O product (~95.7 % purity) from spent cathodes. This work achieved impressive profitability ($16.05 per kg feedstock) and effectively reduction of GHG emissions during the recycling process, making it applicable to critical sustainability initiatives.

Literature Review : FoMo in Digital Marketing Strategy Related to the Innovation Diffusion Process

In the ever-evolving era of digital marketing, the diffusion of innovation and the phenomenon of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) become two interrelated elements, creating a dynamic and highly competitive marketing strategy. Diffusion of innovation, as a concept that describes the spread of new ideas or technologies in society, is a strategic key for companies that want to win the hearts of consumers. FoMO, on the other hand, is an emotional force that can be utilized as a digital marketing strategy. The fear of missing out on the latest trends or opportunities drives consumers to be more responsive to ongoing innovations. This is where the combination of innovation diffusion and FoMO creates a unique opportunity for companies. This research was conducted through a literature review study derived from 20 published journals/articles. Literature search through Google Scholar, Repect.Org, Knowledge Map, Mendeley, Schi Hub and Science Direct. The keywords used were "Fear of Missing Out" and "Diffusion of Innovation". By understanding the interplay between innovation diffusion and FoMO, companies can design digital marketing strategies that not only accelerate the adoption of new products or services, but also build communities, creating a sense of uniqueness and exclusivity that can be a powerful driver to ensure the successful launch of innovations in the fast-paced digital marketplace.

Morphological responses of shoots and fine roots to weed control in Abies sachalinensis and Picea jezoensis seedlings

ABSTRACT A mechanistic understanding of how morphological traits of seedlings are relevant to their functions against competition is the basis for managing vegetation in plantations. This study evaluated the growth responses and functional traits of shoots and fine roots in seedlings of boreal silvicultural species to manual weed control. Aboveground morphological traits reflecting competitive ability, including the total number of shoots per individual, length and weight per current shoot, area and weight per current leaf, and their ratio were evaluated. The fine roots were classified as pioneer roots or fibrous roots and were evaluated for diameter and specific root length (SRL). Compared with Picea jezoensis, Abies sachalinensis has superior competitive ability by reducing the total number of shoots by approximately 40%, preserving shoot length, and increasing specific leaf area by approximately 30% under competition. This finding is partly inconsistent with conventional strategies against shade, and A. sachalinensis is tolerant and partly avoidant of competing vegetation compared with P. jezoensis. The lack of interspecies differences in growth responses to weed control indicates that individual growth cannot be explained by aboveground responses alone. Thinner and higher SRL of fibrous roots in competing conditions were observed only in A. sachalinensis. However, thinner and higher SRL of pioneer roots in competing conditions were observed in both species. Altogether, these results highlighted that the fine root system widely adopts an avoidance strategy against competition regardless of aboveground competitive strategies. Because soil resources can be depleted, the preemptive strategy to access soil space against competition is responsible.