Competitiveness is one of the key themes in the current debate about national economic performance. A vast array of statistical data is usually assembled by national governments to demonstrate a closing or widening of productivity or trade 'gaps' with other countries or groups of countries. The authors of this book argue that far too little attention has been paid to the often subtle, but highly significant, organisational and cultural characteristics which underpin production and trade in a globalised economy. Dimensions of Competitiveness suggests that awareness of the impacts of this neglected dimension of competitiveness can, together with appropriate corrective action, significantly improve corporate and national performance. While considering a variety of more conventional dimensions of international competitiveness, the authors challenge many established tenets. A number of policy prescriptions are outlined as a result. Attention is also paid to some of the key distributive and infrastructural roles in enhancing international competitiveness including facilitating labour and capital mobility and providing efficient transport systems.

Lester Lloyd-Reason and Leigh Sear bring together leading researchers and thinkers in this critical guide to the ongoing, worldwide research shaping the role played by SMEs within today's global economy. The expert contributors contend that the past twenty years have seen an explosion in research into international SMEs, resulting in a considerable body of academic literature and thinking. This research, they argue, may merely serve to increase our lack of understanding in this area, and often results in myths and misconceptions upon which SME policies and support programmes have been developed and introduced. They go on to suggest that academic models are often poorly suited to the problems faced by SMEs within the international trading environment. In many instances, the contributors find SMEs at the vanguard of the challenge to accepted business practices: it is these challenges that underpin the text. Illustrating that today's SMEs are faced with the critical issue of how to create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in light of the increased complexity of international trade and global business linkages, this Handbook will prove invaluable to both academics and practitioners involved in business and management and entrepreneurship.