Level Of National Competitiveness Research Articles

CORRUPTION AS A THREAT TO ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE

Economic security of the state plays a significant role in ensuring further economic development of the country, implementation of effective social policy, increasing the level of national competitiveness in the context of international economic cooperation. Summarizing different approaches, the authors concluded that in the scientific environment the definition of the essence of economic security of the state is studied on the basis of different basic parameters, which creates ambiguity in the understanding of this category. According to the authors, the economic security of the state should be understood as such a state of the national economy that allows to maintain resistance to external and internal threats, to ensure its external independence and internal stability, the ability to support the consistent implementation of national and state interests, stable capacity of economic entities and normal living conditions of the population. The transformation of the conditions of functioning of the modern world creates a significant number of threats to the economic security of the state, among which corruption occupies a key position. The scale of corruption in Ukraine is threatening, which is associated with the destruction of not only individual aspects of society, but also a threat to the existence of the country as a whole. The article defines the main and classification features of corruption on the basis of international law ratified by Ukraine, according to which corruption can be characterized. The authors cited the main threats of corruption, which have a real negative impact on the economic security of the state, namely: the growth of the shadow economy; insufficient use of budget funds at various levels; reducing the level of trust in the state and its ability to regulate economic processes; promoting social inequality and increasing the income gap between different segments of the population, etc. These conclusions were confirmed by the analysis of individual data, in particular the corruption perception index and the indicator of the level of shadow economy. In addition, based on the trend model, the forecast values of the corruption perception index in Ukraine were calculated, which showed positive changes in issues related to corruption processes in the country. In the article, the authors note that at the present stage of economic development, in order to reduce the level of corruption in the state, it is necessary to create an effective system of anti-corruption actions and establish new transparent rules of relations between society, government and business.

ДЕРЖАВНА ПОЛІТИКА СТИМУЛЮВАННЯ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНОСТІ

The main theoretical and methodological aspects of the state economic policy in the context of stimulating national competitiveness are analyzed. The purpose of the article is to reveal the latest trends in the state policy of promoting national competitiveness. The features of the formation and development of the state economic policy in the context of the latest global changes are revealed. Creating a competitive economy is one of the fundamental priorities of the system of national interests of Ukraine. It is found that the high level of competitiveness of the national economy in the context of globalization is a prerequisite for solving many macroeconomic problems. The methodological basis for the analysis of national competitiveness is the institutional approach. It is proved that national competitiveness is determined by a set of factors that can ensure the supply of goods and services based on the use of the latest technologies. An in-depth interpretation of national competitiveness as a category that characterizes the state of relations in the country related to ensuring conditions for a stable increase in the efficiency of the national economy, adequate to changes in the global situation and domestic demand based on the disclosure of national competitive advantages and achievement of the established macroeconomic parameters. It is concluded that a balanced state policy is designed to promote national competitiveness based on socio-economic balance, social efficiency and strategic macroeconomic targets. It was found that in order to increase the level of national competitiveness it is necessary to actively implement an innovative model of economic development. The vectors of implementation of a balanced state policy, designed to promote national competitiveness, are substantiated.

Effects of nail softness and stiffness with distance running shoes on ground reaction forces and vertical loading rates in male elite long-distance runners with pronated feet

BackgroundTo improve propulsion during running, athletes often wear spike shoes designed for training and/or competition. Running with spike shoes may cause pain and/or injuries. To address this problem, a modified spike shoe was tested. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of running with dual-versus single-stiffness spike running shoes on running mechanics in long-distance runners with pronated feet.MethodsSixteen male elite (national competitive level) runners (5000 or 10,000 m) aged 28.2 ± 2.5 years with pronated feet volunteered to participate in this study. To be included, participants had to have achieved personal best race times over 5- and/or 10-km races under 17 or 34 min during official running competitions. All participants were heel strikers and had a history of 11.2 ± 4.2 years of training. For the assessment of running kinetics, a force plate was imbedded into a walkway. Running kinematics were recorded using a Vicon-motion-capture system. Nike Zoom Rival shoes (Nike, Nike Zoom Rival, USA) were selected and adapted according to spike softness and stiffness. Participants ran at a constant speed of ~4.0 m/s across the walkway with both shoe conditions in randomized order. Six trials were recorded per condition. The main outcomes included peak ground reaction forces and their time-to-peak, average and instantaneous vertical loading rates, free moments, and peak ankle eversion angles.ResultsPaired t-tests revealed significantly lower lateral (p = 0.021, d = 0.95) and vertical (p = 0.010, d = 1.40) forces at heel contact during running with dual-stiffness spike shoes. Running with dual-stiffness spike shoes resulted in a significantly longer time-to-peak vertical (p = 0.004, d = 1.40) force at heel contact. The analysis revealed significantly lower average (p = 0.005, d = 0.46) and instantaneous (p = 0.021, d = 0.49) loading rates and peak negative free moment amplitudes (p = 0.016, d = 0.81) when running with dual-stiffness spike shoes. Finally, significantly lower peak ankle eversion angles were observed with dual-stiffness spike shoes (p < 0.001, d = 1.29).ConclusionsRunning in dual- compared with single-stiffness spike distance running shoes resulted in lower loading rates, free moment amplitudes, and peak ankle eversion angles of long-distance runners with pronated feet.

KNOWLEDGE IN THE CONCEPT OF NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS IN THE ERA OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The economic development of countries and regional economic integrations in this century is accompanied by increasing openness and growing production and trade competitiveness of national economies in the world market. In short, the level of national competitiveness determines the ability of its institutions to shape the conditions conducive to business promotion, on the one hand, and the potential of domestic firms to take advantage of such conditions and place products on the world market, on the other. Dynamic economic growth means that companies and countries are increasingly promoting the improvement of trade competitiveness on the world market on the commercial valorization of existing and new knowledge into innovations. Strengthening innovation capacity helps countries accelerate the process of structural change and thus create conditions for dynamic economic growth, which is in the function of improving national competitiveness in the increasingly complex and demanding conditions of global business and competition. The fact is, however, that satisfactory economic development, which is based on the growth of competitiveness, fails to be achieved by all countries. Viewed in that light, the fourth industrial revolution as a phenomenon that dominates modern economic events in the world, opened new possibilities, but at the same time led to the strengthening of many imbalances, one of the expressive forms of which is the growing development gap between individual national economies.&#x0D; After forty years of experience in monitoring and comparing the factors of long-term competitiveness of countries, in 2018, the World Economic Forum promoted the Global Competitiveness Index 4.0. The index provides a detailed overview of the key drivers of economic growth and human development indicators in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. As an indicator of national competitiveness, the index is adjusted to the description of real events in business and the overall life of people that are shaped by the phenomenon of the fourth industrial revolution. The concept is based on the observation of the increase of real national production enabled by the growth of consumption of factors of production and total factor productivity as a measure of efficiency in the use of factors based on the commercialization of new knowledge and skills in innovation. Thus conceived, the Global Competitiveness Index 4.0. is a kind of indicator of the factors that determine economic growth and social development in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. It is an annual indicator that enables economic policy makers to assess their progress in a number of areas that determine national competitiveness in today's economic conditions. All indicators that make up the Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 are organized into 12 pillars: Institutions; Infrastructure; Application of ICT; Macroeconomic stability; Health; Skills; Product market; Job market; Financial system; Market size; Business dynamics; and Innovation Capability.

A strategic study for materials interdisciplinary frontiers and disruptive innovation

Disruptive innovation is an important indicator of the overall level of technological development of a country, which determines the level of national competitiveness. The disruptive innovation of cross integration of cutting-edge science and technology will play a leading role in technological progress and industrial development. Improving the disruptive innovation ability of cross integration of cutting-edge science and technology is the key to realizing the world-leading potential of China’s science, technology, and industry. Materials are the basis of human material civilization, national security, economic development, and social development. The promotion of interdisciplinary materials science and the integration of materials science with information science, environmental and energy science, life science, and other disciplines has become an important trend and driving force in the development of materials. This integration of materials science with other scientific areas is the key development direction in international research and the focus of future international competition. Cross-cutting-edge and disruptive innovation in the field of new materials are important metrics of the new technology revolution. Based on the strategic study of materials interdisciplinary frontiers and disruptive innovation, here we point out the development priorities according to major national needs. These priorities focus on seven interdisciplinary areas, in which materials science is integrated with physics and mathematics, life-medicine science, energy science, information science, bionics science, manufacturing science, and deep-space-sea-earth science. Through the in-depth collaborative works involving materials science with physics and mathematics, the transformation of the materials research paradigm will be promoted, developing new-concept functional materials and devices with revolutionary performance, new artificial intelligence materials, and future intelligent systems. The interdisciplinary research work involving materials science and life-medicine science will promote research on the basic biochemistry theory toward the creation of novel nanodrugs for major diseases, as well as the basis of tissue regeneration theory and functional reconstruction of important organs. Through the combination of materials science with energy science, new energy materials, devices, and application technologies will be developed to provide key materials and technical support for China’s carbon peak and carbon neutralization. Through collaborations involving materials science and information science, the next generation of new information technology materials and devices will be developed for optical fiber communication and optical fiber sensing technology, 6G communication, quantitative memristors, flexible electronic devices, storage materials and devices, light-emitting materials and devices, and single-photon detection. Through the combination of materials science and bionic science, interdisciplinary frontier basic scientific theories, such as the principle of multiscale composites for bionic hierarchical structures and life body and the mechanism behind the superwetting interface enhancement in life systems will be studied, and bionic health materials, bionic energy materials, bionic environmental materials, and bionic information materials will be developed. Through the interdisciplinary work involving materials science and manufacturing science, the theory and revolutionary technology of the extreme manufacturing of advanced materials, bionic manufacturing, femtosecond-light manufacturing, and composite-field manufacturing will be developed. Through the combination of materials science and deep-space, deep-sea, and deep-earth science, key materials will be developed to meet the national strategic needs in the fields of deep-space, deep-sea, and deep-earth science. Finally, this paper puts forward policy suggestions to strengthen the research of cross-cutting-edge and disruptive innovation from two aspects, namely the science and technology management system and disruptive innovation project management mechanism, aiming to provide guidance for decision-making for China to establish itself as a powerful country in materials science.

INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY AS A DETERMINING FACTOR OF INCREASING NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS

This publication is devoted to highlighting the problem of ensuring the appropriate level of national competitiveness and identifying ways to increase it in today's competitive market environment. In the context of the study, the main reasons for Ukraine's chronic lag in the system of international economic relations were identified, including: irrational use of the country's resource potential, high material consumption, energy-intensive economy, low efficiency of economic reforms, physical and moral depreciation, lack of sufficient funding for research and development, high unemployment and the progressive trend of emigration of scientists, unfavorable investment climate and others.&#x0D; According to the main factors used by the world community in determining the growth of competitiveness of the economy, three groups of indicators were identified, which are the main competitive advantages in an unstable market economy, namely: factors of production, income and investment and innovation potential.&#x0D; It was possible to analyze the indicators of the human development index and the level of competitiveness of the country on the basis of data from the International Institute for Development Management and the UNDP Report. Indicators of Ukraine in the ranking of innovative economies of the world helped to determine the main causes of technological backwardness of the country, based on which the main directions of innovation development were proposed: state support of science-intensive production, reorientation of raw materials orientation of Ukraine's exports to conduct innovative business.&#x0D; Attracting investment in technology development and innovative development of enterprises, stimulating the production of high-tech products and compliance with quality standards are the most important steps towards the reorientation of Ukraine's economy to an innovative model of socio-economic growth.

КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНІСТЬ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ В УМОВАХ ЦИФРОВІЗАЦІЇ: ТРЕНДИ ТА ФАКТОРИ

Formulation of the problem. Analysis of competitiveness factors and identification of mechanisms for managing competitiveness in the modern digital economy, both at the enterprise level and at the national economy level, is a necessary tool for today's changing economic environment. The purpose of the article is to investigate trends and factors that determine the competitiveness of the national economy in the context of digitalization. The object of the study is the digital economy as a medium for forming the competitiveness of the national economy. Methods used in the study. System approach, structural-logical and statistical analysis, generalization. The hypothesis of the study. Competitiveness factors are being transformed as part of the development of the digital economy. Statement of the main material. Distinctive features of the digital economy are formulated as key factors of economic competitiveness at both the micro and macro levels. The world experience in developing state policy in the field of digital economy demonstrates a keen understanding of the need to use digital economy tools to increase the level of national competitiveness. The analysis of the directions of the policy of digitalization of the economy of the Republic of Belarus allowed us to state certain, but insufficient, efforts of the government to form a holistic approach to digitalization at all levels of government. Originality and practical value. Transformation of competitiveness factors in the digital economy, identification of a number of competitive trends and the main factors of success in digitalization as factors of competitiveness. Conclusions. The main factors of success in digitalization are properly organized state policy, increased interest from the industrial sector, and their competent interaction, taking into account the specifics of the goals of each of the agents.

Impact of National Competitiveness on Economic Growth and Income Level – Evidence From the Selected Post-Soviet Countries

This paper investigates the impact of national competitiveness on productivity, economic growth and income per capita in the selected post-Soviet countries between 2004 and 2018. In this paper, 2019 edition of the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which is composed of 12 pillars such as namely institutions, infrastructure, ICT adoption, macroeconomic stability, health, skills, product market, labour market, financial system, market size, business dynamism and innovation capability, is used as a proxy for the national competitiveness and productivity for the empirical analysis purposes. The findings reveal that: (1) the GCI is highly correlated with productivity level and the selected post-Soviet countries with higher level of national competitiveness had higher long-term economic growth and income per capita, (2) Russia and Kazakhstan more benefited from rising per capita income associated with enhanced national competitiveness (or productivity growth) compared to other selected former Soviet states, (3) among the GCI factors, ICT adoption, macroeconomic stability, market size and healthy life expectancy were major levers of productivity growth that influenced the national competitiveness, positively and significantly contributing to an increase in the income level in the selected post-Soviet countries in 2004-2018 period.

ЛОГІСТИКА ЯК ЧИННИК ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНОСТІ УКРАЇНИ У СФЕРІ ЗОВНІШНЬОЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ

The dynamics of the level of global competitiveness of Ukraine according to the rating of the World Economic Forum is studied. Analysis of these trends shows a relatively low rating level of our country in the global dimension. The components of the Global Competitiveness Index of the national economy are analyzed and it is revealed that the main regression can be traced in the sphere of financial systems and healthcare. Instead, the country's position on the criteria of «goods market», «labor market» and «institutional development» is significantly improving. The current state and structure of Ukraine's foreign trade are revealed. It was found that the volumes of exports and imports of goods and services of Ukraine tend to decrease. It is noted that the weak link in Ukraine's foreign trade is the structure of exports, in which most of the raw materials and primary products. It is noted that Ukraine's logistics system is progressing. This is clearly demonstrated by the dynamics of the national Logistics Performance Index (LPI). In 2018, Ukraine ranks 66th among 160 countries in terms of the efficiency of the logistics system. The value of the LPI in 2018 is 2.83 points. The most developed component of the domestic logistics system is the timeliness (3.42), and the least developed –infrastructure (2.22). Ways to increase Ukraine's competitiveness in the field of foreign economic activity through the efficient use of logistics are considered. A set of measures to optimize the logistics of Ukraine's foreign trade is proposed, which should be aimed at unification of national legislation, harmonization of transport and logistics infrastructure so that it has common technical parameters and ensures the use of a single technology of international delivery. The proposed recommendations for the development of national logistics infrastructure are aimed at ensuring the competitiveness of national logistics operators at the international level, improving the efficiency of export-import operations, increasing the level of national competitiveness of Ukraine.

Verification of the Correlation between the Level of National Competitiveness, Quality of Life and Productivity on the Example of the Developed and Developing Countries of the World

Verification of the Correlation between the Level of National Competitiveness, Quality of Life and Productivity on the Example of the Developed and Developing Countries of the World

Veza između tržišta rada i poslovne dinamike - primer evropskih država

The concept of competitiveness and its drivers has drawn increasing attention in recent years. Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), as one of the measurements of this phenomenon, consist of 12 pillars which are determining the level of national competitiveness. This study aims to explore the linkage between Labour market (LM) and Business dynamism (BD) as two pillars of GCI 2019 in case of 34 European countries (28 European Union (EU) member states and 6 candidate countries). Canonical correlation analysis was employed for analyzing the relationship between these two sets of sub-indexes. The results indicate that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between these two variables.

Motives for sports practice in young soccer and volleyball athletes

The reasons why athletes, especially young people, seek to adhere to sports practice has aroused the interest of research. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for the sports practice of young soccer and volleyball athletes according to gender, age, family economic class, practice time and level of competitiveness. 188 athletes, 56 volleyball athletes and 132 soccer players aged 10-16 participated in the study. The reasons for the sport were identified through the Participation Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ). The data were analyzed through Covariance Analysis. The results indicated that, in general, the most important reason for sports practice was “Technical Competence” (4.51±0.54), followed by factors of intermediate importance: “Competition” (4.30±0.73), “Group Activity” (4.29±0.71) and “Physical Fitness” (4.25±0.64). Low-income families (C) attributed greater importance to the motivation factors related to “Social Recognition” and “Group Activity”. Athletes with lower practice time conceded less relevance to “Group Activity” and “Affiliation”, while those with a national competitive level demonstrated greater importance to all motivation factors, with the exception of “Competition.” Young athletes have been motivated to practice sports, especially for reasons related to self-realization, improvement of technical skills and overcoming challenges. Differences were also identified between family economic class groups, practice time and competitive level in the motivation factors for sports practice.

Somatotype, body composition, and physical fitness in artistic gymnasts depending on age and preferred event.

In men’s artistic gymnastics, results that are particularly appreciated are those obtained in all-around and individual events such as the floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. However, few studies have explored the dependency of anthropometric characteristics and fitness from age category or the event preferred by gymnasts. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the somatic type, body composition and values of some anthropometric and fitness characteristics and indices of gymnasts according to age and preferred event. A total of 53 male gymnasts (19 seniors and 34 juniors) were examined right before the Polish Senior and Junior Championships in Artistic Gymnastics in Warsaw (May 25 to 28, 2017). We examined the characteristics of body length, skeletal system mass, muscle mass, skinfold thickness, and body mass (Tanita S.C.-330S). Body composition (Durnin and Womersley equations), somatotypes (Heath-Carter methodology), handgrip strength (Takei dynamometer), body balance (UPST), the power of the lower limbs (CMJ) were evaluated. Senior gymnasts presented higher than juniors experience, mesomorphy and had higher values in fitness tests of handgrip strength and power of lower limbs (p<0.05). The specialists in floor exercises and vault characterized in higher mesomorphy and lower ectomorphy (p<0.05) and better results of CMJ (p<0.05). We concluded: The seniors demonstrated natural predominance over juniors in several somatic and fitness variables. Detected differences can be useful in the process of identification and development of gymnastic talent. The detected effect of preferred event on certain variables that characterize body build and physical fitness can be useful for choosing a specialization in gymnastic event. A high skill level in all-around events at a national competitive level can be achieved by an athlete characterized by adequate experience, a mesomorphy somatotype component, lower limb index, pelvi-acromial index and relative HGSmax.

Effects of 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on aerobic fitness in water polo players.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ergogenic effects of 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on peak oxygen uptake () and force associated with () during a tethered swimming graded exercise test, and a three-minute all-out effort (3minALL-OUT) in water polo players. Twenty-two male national competitive level water polo players were randomly assigned to receive either 4 weeks of β-alanine (n = 11) or a placebo (n = 11) (i.e., 4.8 g·day-1 for 10 days, then6.4 g·day-1 for 18 days, resulting in 163.2 g over 28 days). The participants performed the TSGET and 3minALL-OUT before and after the supplementation period. There were no significant interaction effects between-groups for any variable, however, the magnitude-based inferences analyses showed a possibly beneficial effect (74%) of β-alanine supplementation on compared to placebo treatment (Δ% [post–pre] for Placebo group = -5.2%; Δ% [post–pre] for β-alanine group = +0.7%). Only the β-alanine group presented a significant reduction in expressed in absolute values (PRE = 3.3±0.6L·min-1; POST = 3.0±0.4L·min-1; p = .021). Similarly, only the β-alanine group presented a significant increase in critical force (PRE = 51.2±10.4N; POST = 56.5±13.1N; p = .044) and a reduction in the curvature constant parameter (W'; PRE = 2998.0±1103.7N·s; POST = 2224.6±1058.9N·s; p = .049). Thus, we can conclude that 4 weeks of β-alanine supplementation presented mixed results in water polo players, indicating that this nutritional strategy may not be effective in improving parameters of the TSGET and 3minALL-OUT .

IMPACT OF INNOVATIONS ON THE PRODUCT MARKET COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Competitive product markets are characterized by aiming at complete consumers’ needs satisfaction, flexible market price making, freedom of economic activity and entrepreneurship, free entry and exit from a market, fair trading and business practices etc. The highest values for the companies functioning at the competitive markets are consumers and consumer needs. Accordingly, all the decisions related to the companies’ activity are being taken not based on the entrepreneurs’ ambitions, but from the perspective of the consumer as the agent of future income and profits. One of the essential characteristics of the markets competitive development is ability of the market players to optimize costs, minimize prices, and improve product quality for the maximum consumer satisfaction. Innovations are one of the means for providing competitive development path. However, the essence of innovations is not only introducing something new, some quality changes of the entrepreneurship activity. This economic category may manifest itself as a barrier for entry into product markets, and may cause emerging of innovative monopolies that eventually influence competitive development. Presented article is dedicated to the outcomes of innovative activity on the marketplace. Interconnections between the competitive environment and innovativeness are being investigated, and as the result, innovativeness is proven a method of overcoming competitive pressure, achieving competitive advantages at the market. It is determined that innovativeness depends on the companies’ size, as the financial capacity for innovations and availability of the labour potential concentrated in the innovative area are higher within big companies. As well the need for innovativeness as the mean for attaining competitive advantages depends both on the industry type and the product market characteristics, where a company is functioning, as there are no needs for competitive advantages at monopolistic markets. Innovations may also appear in natural monopolies as the result of introducing some regulatory policies. Also the causality between companies’ pursuance of uniqueness, the level of national competitiveness – and the innovations is being investigated, as well as the time lag between introduction of innovations and gaining some competitive advantages at the market. Understanding mutual influences of innovations and product markets competitive development is the clue for taking proper decisions by regulatory bodies with respect to markets development. Appearance of innovative monopolies aggravate the demand for regulatory bodies control over product markets development with the purpose of preventing excessive use of the market power by innovative monopolies.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Verification of the interdependence between the level of national competitiveness, the quality of living and the labor productivity on the example of developed countries of the world

Verification of the interdependence between the level of national competitiveness, the quality of living and the labor productivity on the example of developed countries of the world

Innovation and entrepreneurship for competitiveness in the EU: an empirical analysis

Abstract The nexus of innovation, entrepreneurship and competiveness represents a real challenge for the European economy, and not only, taking into account the important role of these determinants of inclusive and sustainable development in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The aim of this article is to explore the relation between innovation, entrepreneurship and national competitiveness, at the EU level, in order to highlight how innovation and entrepreneurship can influence the level of competitiveness and inclusive development in these countries. The results of the comparative analysis based on means-testing using independent samples t-test, at EU level, show that there are significant differences between low-medium innovation performance countries group and high and very high innovation countries performance group in terms of competitiveness, innovative entrepreneurship, productive entrepreneurship and economic and inclusive development, fact which emphasizes the need to take specific actions to improve EU innovation performance, especially in the EU countries included in the low-medium innovation performance countries group for improving national competitiveness and implicitly increasing the level of development. The correlation and regression analysis results suggest that the high level of national competitiveness in some EU countries can be mainly explained by high level of innovation performance, high level of innovative and productive entrepreneurship. The findings of the study can be useful for policymakers to formulate policies for improving national competitiveness within an inclusive development.

Asymmetries in the Maintenance Performance of Spanish Industries before and after the Recession

Abstract: Until the last few decades, maintenance has not been considered of special importance by organisations. Thus, the number of studies that assess maintenance performance in a country is still very small, despite the relevance this area has to the level of national competitiveness. This article describes a multicriteria model integrating the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) with multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to assess the maintenance performance of large, medium and small enterprises in Spain, before and after the recession, as well as the asymmetries in the state of maintenance between different activity sectors. The weightings are converted to utility functions which allow the final utility of an alternative to be calculated via a Multi-Attribute Utility Function. From the Spanish maintenance data for different industrial sectors in 2005 and 2010, 2400 discrete probability distributions have been produced. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation is applied for the estimation of the uncertainty. The results show that the economic crisis experienced by Spain since 2008 has negatively affected the level of maintenance applied, rather than it being considered an area that could deliver cost reductions and improvements in productivity and quality to organisations.

Introduction to China's National Competitiveness Evaluation under the Background of Economic Globalization—Based on the Perspective of the WEF and IMD

Under the trend of global competition, increasingly fierce competition between enterprises, between the countries and cruel. With the rapid development of China's economy after nearly 20 years, has formed the basic scale of economic development, improve the degree of marketization of the national economy. Facing the current pattern of the world economy is undergoing profound and complex changes, how to foster the development of new Chinese advantages, enhance their ability to participate in, grab the future development of the strategic high ground, develop oneself, need to have a system on the current level of national competitiveness, the accurate understanding. WEF and IMD is the most authoritative national competitiveness evaluation and research institutions, and through the evaluation theory and method, the analysis of the specific application in China, to help in the digestion and absorption, criticism, reference, on the basis of established competitiveness evaluation theory and method suitable for the Chinese situation, to identify the advantages and disadvantages of China in the international competition, and on this basis, put forward the feasible strategy of national competitiveness.

Strategies and competitiveness for emerging countries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the strategies for improving the competitiveness of Ecuador (ECU), Colombia (COL) and Peru (PER). It is one of the first studies using 36 indicators within the context of three South-American countries. It fulfills the lack of knowledge at the scientific work and its practical objective by identifying the factors that public policy may take into consideration urgently to improve the global competitiveness level of the countries for a sustainable development and considerations for a long-term integration.Design/methodology/approachIt analyzes data of four-year average of international sources such as: The International Monetary Fund, The World Bank, The United Nations, among others. The factors were selected after a careful literature review, the final selection and the weight of each determinant was calculated using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The calculation of the national and international competitiveness indexes used the double diamond for competitiveness theoretical frame.FindingsFrom a national perspective, it was found that COL is the most competitive country followed by PER in the second place and ECU is in third. Internationally, the authors have found also that COL is the most competitive economy, PER in second place and ECU is in third.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has found that in order to improve the level of national competitiveness, ECU has to concentrate on improving and strengthening formal and non-formal institutions, which are reflected in: four factors, PER four, and COL three. To reach international competitiveness, ECU should improve four factors, PER five, and COL five formal and non-formal institutions.Practical implicationsThis research is the first one on its field, it uses 36 competitiveness indexes and the PLS-SEM statistic methodology to assign the weight of competitive indicators and the DD theoretical frame to determine the relevance of its factors and it is oriented to advise decision-makers and provides the appropriate police guidelines for the national competitiveness strategy and improve their quality of life of its residents from: ECU-COL-PER. On the other hand, the academic implications of these results appear when calculating the weight-load competitiveness indexes using inferential multivariate analysis; it provides researchers and practitioners an analysis tool for comparing competitive factors of emerging countries from the DD approach without any weaknesses, as a framework to assist in formulating economic policy at the national and regional level.Social implicationsDue to the difficulty of competitiveness operationalization, this research uses PLS-SEM to correlate its factors as the statistical methodology and the DD as the tool for the identification of theoretical indicators. This work may be taken into consideration for an immediate and sustainable improvement in order to win competitiveness than its neighbors.Originality/valueThis study is unique because the factors were selected after a careful literature review; the final selection and the weight of each determinant was calculated using PLS-SEM. The calculation of the national and international competitiveness indexes used the DD for competitiveness theoretical framework applied for the first time in a research for South America with 36 determinants. The result of this analysis compares the weak and strong determinants of these three member countries of UNASUR for the development of their complementarities and therefore the recommendations of public policy.