The process of national industrial regeneration and competitiveness

Abstract

The paper reviews two streams of work on the issue of industrial regeneration and competitiveness–that from within the management research field, and that from economists, economic historians, and political scientists. It is argued that these streams have in the past been independent but there is much to be gained by sharing insights from each and applying them to the process within firms of generating competitiveness for that firm. By using insights from the newly emerging institutionalist school it is possible both to explain national differences in competitiveness and generate useful ideas for the managers of individual firms. The paper ends by setting out a research agenda, applying the insights from institutional analysis, for furthering our understanding of the strategic processes available to managers for regenerating and enhancing the competitiveness of the individual firm.