What is the competitiveness of the economy. Abstract: Competitiveness in the global economy

Competitiveness national economy- a very complex, multifaceted concept. In addition, it does not have a universally recognized universal definition. The competitiveness of the national economy is understood as a concentrated expression of economic, scientific, technical, production, organizational, managerial, marketing and other opportunities implemented in goods and services that successfully resist foreign goods and services competing with them, both in the domestic and foreign markets.

More than 300 indicators and over 100 assessments of international expert economists are used to determine competitiveness.

The analysis data are grouped, as a rule, into 10 factors, namely:

1) economic potential and economic growth rates;
2) the efficiency of industrial production;
3) the level of development of science and technology, the pace of development of scientific and technological achievements;
4) participation in the international division of labor;
5) dynamism and capacity of the domestic market;
6) flexibility of the financial system;
7) impact state regulation economy;
8) skill level labor resources;
9) availability of labor resources;
10) socio-economic and domestic political situation.

The competitiveness of the national economy is Comparative characteristics, which contains comprehensive assessment states the most important indicators economy relative to external parameters, because of this, the competitiveness of the national economy is manifested in international competition.

In the development of the competitiveness of the national economies of a number of leading Western countries in the second half of the 20th century, there were striking changes associated with industries that have achieved success in the world market. Economic growth is a movement towards increasing the complexity of the sources of competitive advantages and strengthening positions in high-performing segments and industries. This process is accompanied by a rapid increase in the efficiency of the entire economy. Some countries have shown amazing high rates growth, others have struggled to stay on the ascending line, and efficiency gains have slowed here.

Although the main unit of analysis of the competitiveness of the country's economy is an industry or a group of related industries, in essence, the recovery of the economy is achieved by the simultaneous development of many different industries. Any national economy includes a wide range of industries with various resources to increase their competitiveness.

The United States has been the undisputed, clear leader of the world economy since World War II. In the postwar years, American firms not only retained the key positions they gained in the early 20th century in many areas, but also expanded the number of globally competitive industries due to leadership in technology, workforce skills, and managerial quality. No other country in the world has such a variety of competitive industries.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the country's economy approached the wealth-driven stage, shrinking long term investment decreased competition. The US has lost its edge in a number of new industries in the face of increased competition from the EU and Japan. However, due to the timely adoption of measures to restructure the economy and its modernization, they were able to reverse the negative trends.

At present, we can talk about the country's return to the innovative stage of development, its leadership in the restructuring of the world economy, where the main component is fast development sphere of informatization, as well as in the significant influence of the American economic mechanism on the formation of a globalizing economy.

The US has no equal in the world in terms of labor productivity in the economy, with the exception of some industries where it is inferior to Japan. According to the microcompetitiveness index American companies ranked first in the world. Companies such as IBM, Coca-Cola, Ford, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard are well-known all over the world, their share is growing even in the markets of Japan and the EU.

Undoubtedly, the conditions in the United States after the war were unique. But lack of competition, fast transition military industry on a peaceful track, a vast domestic market and many other factors only partly explain the significant advance of all countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

In the USA is a large number of basic factors (labor and natural resources, significant capital). But the United States achieved its power largely due to investments in mechanisms for creating and improving the quality of factors, mainly in education and R&D in promising industries. Thanks to this, the United States has taken a leading position in many areas of science and technology.

Japan. In recent decades, Japan has become a strong global power with a competitive economy. Japan supplies the world market with products from a wide range of industries, primarily high-tech: electronics, biotechnology, robotics, as well as mechanical engineering, metallurgy and transport. In a number of industries, the share of Japanese companies in world exports is very high and is comparable only with the positions of US firms.

Like Germany, Japan went from being a defeated country in a war to becoming a global economic power, but unlike Germany, it did not have natural resources, and historically such important industries as chemistry and mechanical engineering were not developed. The unusually successful and rapid development of the country from the factorial to the innovative stage of competitiveness is due to many reasons, including the production of high-quality products at low costs, the specifics of labor relations, and the rapid introduction of new technologies.

In none of the countries did the entire “rhombus” system work so smoothly, none of the determinants so contributed to the strengthening of others.

Post-World War II government cooperation with industrialists, work ethic, application high technology and comparatively low defense spending (1% of GDP) helped Japan become an industrialized nation. The two main driving factors for post-war economy Japan has become close relationships between manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a large part of the urban population. Both of these drivers are currently losing their effectiveness under the influence of high competition from global markets and domestic demographic change. Japan's industrial sector is highly dependent on imported raw materials, materials and fuels. Industrial areas: Tokyo-Yokohama, Osaka-Kobe and Nagoya, which account for more than 50% of the income of the manufacturing industries; Kitakyushu in the north of about. Kyushu. The most backward in industrial terms are Hokkaido, northern Honshu and southern Kyushu, where ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy is developed.

The main structural factor is science and education, so they are given Special attention. According to state program development national system research and development (R&D) was carried out the transition from importing technical achievements to the development of its own R&D system. Fundamental measures have been taken to improve the training of personnel and further develop international scientific cooperation. Large scientific centers were created that are engaged in developments in the field of solid state physics, nuclear energy, plasma physics, the latest structural materials, space robots, etc. The leaders of the world economy include such Japanese companies as Toyota Motors, Matsushita Electric, Sony Corporation, Honda Motors, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and others. Medium and small businesses operate effectively in all areas. It is the most active and most stable element of the market in the development of competition, increasing the competitiveness of goods. Nearly 99% of Japanese companies are small and medium businesses. Their role is especially great in the automotive, electronic and electrical industries.

Great Britain. The UK is a unique example of a country that, after being in the wealth-driven stage for a long time, was able to return to the innovation stage of development.

The historically strong position of Great Britain (the first industrial country in the world and the main world power in the 19th century) was already undermined at the beginning of the 20th century, when the conditions for a slowdown in economic development and the loss of competitive advantages that emerged after the Second World War began to take shape. The recovery of the economy after the Second World War took almost forty years. In addition to domestic resources, the recovery process was spurred on by Britain's entry into European Community in 1973, which contributed to the rise of the country's competitiveness. America.

Despite the large reserves of accumulated wealth, by the 1970s. in most modern industries Great Britain lost ground to the USA, Japan, Germany and France, which was reflected in its place in world GDP, trade and international currency relations. The decline in competitive advantages occurred as a result of the country's long stay at the stage driven by wealth, when unfavorable factors were growing in all components of the "rhombus" and some negative processes caused others. The most important were the low quality of the workforce, the lack of competition, the decline in demand, and the peculiarities of the business culture.

After the Conservative government came to power, the country managed to reverse the negative trends in the economy that had been accumulating for many years and to implement global changes in business culture that contribute to the revival of its competitive advantages. The UK is currently in the process of transitioning to an economy based on the latest technologies and services.

Great Britain today is a country with a highly developed, strong and independent economy.

Russia. Russia's competitiveness relative to other developed countries remains low. Currently, Russia is in 20th place in the world in terms of exports, and in the early 1990s. The USSR was in 10th place. The crisis in the country's economy and the reduction in the production of the most promising products led to the fact that Russia's competitiveness in the world market in comparison with the USSR decreased and was reduced to a narrow range of industries. In terms of labor productivity in the manufacturing industry, Russia is 5-6 times inferior to developed countries. It occurred mainly due to an increase in the loading of old equipment with the release of obsolete products based on undervalued exchange rates. national currency and cost of factors of production.

Only a few industries produce products that can compete in the world market, and mainly on price. These are mainly industries dependent on raw materials (they account for more than ¾ of exports), primarily fuel and energy complex, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, petrochemical and timber industry. Comparatively high competitiveness of Russian military equipment and weapons, some types of which have no analogues in the world. The bulk of the products of the manufacturing industries cannot compete on the world market, moreover, there is a decrease in the competitiveness of civil machinery and equipment, which is expressed in a reduction in exports. certain types products such as cars. Taking into account the global trend towards increasing the knowledge intensity of products, it will be more and more difficult for Russia to catch up with the most advanced countries in the world.

Among the competitive advantages of Russia, one can note the presence of rich natural resources, a fairly high educational level of the population, a skilled workforce and scientific and technical potential. Russia occupies the last places in the competitiveness rating according to such indicators as the openness of the economy and the quality of competition, transparency and efficiency of administrative management.

Management of national competitiveness is the maintenance of a broad public consensus regarding the goals and methods of the national development program and economic order, ensuring on this basis the manageability of the economy; development of the internal capacity of the economy for innovative renewal, flexible response to emerging "windows of opportunity" in domestic and foreign markets; minimization of risks for the effective space of sovereignty (the space of strategic allied relations); ensuring the stability of the economy against foreign trade, financial and other shocks.

Ensuring national competitiveness involves:

- effective coordination of economics and politics;
-inventory of the comparative advantages of the economy;
-development of a competitive environment;
-formation of a system of strategic forecasting and planning aimed at identifying bottlenecks that impede the realization of the most important competitive advantages of the national economy;
-development of a strategy for the long-term development of all significant sectors of the economy.

Since it is practically impossible to ensure the competitiveness of the economy in all areas, it becomes necessary to solve two main tasks: creating mechanisms for determining national priorities and the formation of a system of measures that ensures the coordination of the efforts of economic players in the course of implementing the developed priorities. The priorities of the national competitiveness strategy are determined by the logic of bottlenecks (as in real economy, as well as in the mechanisms economic policy), constraining the capitalization of competitive advantages.

In relation to internal factors of competitiveness, the following aspects are key:

- innovative capacity, the desire for innovation;
- the ability not only to create something new, but also to bring out the old;
- stimulating the emergence of new businesses;
-transparency, legality, bringing business processes out of the shadows
- negotiability, efficiency the right to use;
-investment attractiveness, attraction of new capitals;
- stability and adaptability, the ability to use new resources, reacting in advance to the exhaustion of old ones and to emerging threats;
- efficiency of public administration.

Towards external factors national competitiveness the main thing is to evaluate the reaction of external centers economic strength and determining Russia's place in the global coordinate system.

In Russia, due to objective circumstances, there are a number of factors leading to a decrease in competitiveness both in the domestic and foreign markets, the main of which is a higher indicator of production costs compared to the world average, associated with adverse climatic conditions and a large territory. Russia is the coldest and longest country in the world, and this circumstance is the reason for the increase in construction costs, high transport and energy costs. Labor productivity in Russia is only about 20% of its level in the United States. In this regard, in order to maintain the price competitiveness of domestic products, it is necessary either to underestimate the level of wages by an amount that compensates for the additional costs of transporting goods and increased energy intensity, or artificially maintain low tariffs. Therefore, an active government policy is needed to level these negative factors and support national producers. The domestic market must be considered Russian companies as a launching pad, a mechanism for rejecting new ideas, and the state should strive to bring the conditions and mechanisms of the domestic market as close as possible to the objective, given requirements of the external one. Of course, gradual convergence can and should be ensured not only by manufacturing companies (on the supply side) and the direct influence of the state, but also by bringing demand factors closer to world standards (attitude to product quality, compliance with its requirements for efficiency and environmental standards, etc.). .).

The modern basis of the Russian economy is a significant volume of exports of natural energy resources, and, consequently, its significant dependence on the actual state of affairs in the world economy as a whole. Currently at Russian economy available real opportunity catch up with the countries that are among the world's economic leaders. This requires the modernization of the economic sphere of Russia: the creation of a favorable investment and business climate. In the future, the prospects for attracting new investments, both external and internal, to the Russian economy are obvious; strengthening of the ruble exchange rate and its transition to global convertibility; improving the quality of life of the population.

AT modern conditions In order to withstand competition in the face of increasing efforts by world leaders to increase their competitiveness, Russia needs a state competitive strategy aimed at achieving strategic competitiveness, creating the necessary conditions for the realization of national interests in a tough global competitive environment. competitive strategy as an integral part of state strategy will make it possible to effectively use the state's competitive advantages and competitive resources.

In the very general sense under competitiveness is understood as the ability to get ahead of others, using their advantages in achieving their goals.

Competitiveness is one of the most important integral characteristics used to evaluate the effectiveness economic activity business entities. The very word competitiveness, in relation to whatever subject it is considered, means the ability of this subject (potential and / or real) to withstand competition.

S.I. Ozhegov in " explanatory dictionary Russian language "the term competitiveness is interpreted as the ability to withstand, resist competitors.

R.A. Fatkhutdinov gives the following definition of competitiveness- is the ability of the object to withstand competition in comparison with similar objects in the market. The author emphasizes that a product or service is competitive or non-competitive in a particular market.

The variety of existing approaches to the concept of competitiveness is currently in economic literature defined:

or the peculiarities of setting the task and the purpose of the study, which leads the author to the need to focus his attention on one or another aspect of competitiveness;
or features of the choice of the subject of research, which can be subjects of competition (goods, services) and subjects of competition (enterprises, industries, regions, national economy, state), and objects of competition (demand, market, factors of production: natural raw materials, labor force, capital, securities, information, political power), and the scope of activities (product markets, industry markets, regional markets, interregional markets, world markets).

Main types of competitiveness:

(enterprises, firms, companies);
(goods, services).

Table 1. Hierarchy of the concepts of competitiveness

Hierarchy level	The concept of competitiveness
	The ability of a country to produce goods and services that meet the requirements of world markets and create conditions for increasing public resources at a speed that allows to ensure sustainable GDP growth rates and the quality of life of the population at the level of world values
	The ability of the region to produce goods and services that meet the requirements of domestic and world markets, to create conditions for increasing regional resources (innovative, intellectual, investment) to ensure the growth of the competitiveness potential of economic entities at a rate that ensures sustainable growth rates of GRP and the quality of life of the population of the region at the level of world values
	The ability of the industry to produce goods and services that meet the requirements of global and domestic markets, and create conditions for the growth of the potential for competitiveness of industry enterprises
	Ability: to achieve their own goals in the face of opposition from competitors; meet the needs of consumers by producing and offering to the market products that are superior to competitors; use production and management resources to develop and expand sales markets, increase market value enterprises
	The ability to be attractive to the buyer in comparison with other products of a similar type and purpose due to the better compliance of its quality and cost characteristics with the requirements of this market and consumer assessments

Competitiveness of goods (services)

- complex, multifaceted, economic object, characterized by a set of properties, the main of which are consumer properties, i.e. the ability of a product to satisfy the needs of its owner. A commodity is a product of labor produced for sale. The term "goods" is more universal, the more general term is "product". Goods are physically tangible products. The product also includes an intangible component (services, ideas, etc.).

A product is anything that can be offered to the market for purchase, use, or consumption in order to satisfy certain needs (physical items, services, ideas). According to Kotler, the product is perceived at three levels:

goods by design, which should determine what consumer problem the product being created solves (the main benefit or service);
real product — specific item, which has a quality level, a set of properties, specific design, brand name, packaging;
backed goods- providing additional services(deliveries and lending, installation, guarantees, after-sales service, etc.).

A service is a type of activity or benefit that one party can offer to another.

Service characteristics:

intangibility (the service cannot be seen and tasted, heard before it is purchased);
inseparability from the manufacturer (its implementation is possible only in the presence of the manufacturer);
inconstancy of quality (the quality of the service depends on the skill of the producers);
non-persistence (the service cannot be stored until the next sale or use).

In the hierarchy of competitiveness concepts, the basic concept is "", which can be considered for various kinds goods (industrial and technical purposes, consumer purposes, services, information, etc.).

Enterprises, industries, regions, states that compete for:

consumers;
markets (commodity, industry, territorial);
factors of production (natural raw materials, industrial
technological, labor, financial resources);
investments.

Consumer value of the goods is its ability to satisfy the specific needs of the relevant consumer group (consumer segment). The consumer value of a product is determined by the degree to which it meets the needs of the relevant consumer group. A measure of the consumer value of a product- the maximum price that the consumer is willing to pay for it without regret. The lower the selling price of a product relative to its consumer value, the more profitable it is for the consumer to purchase the product, or, in other words, the higher the competitiveness of the product. For the consumer, the unpaid part of the consumer value is equal to the additional profit received by him from the use of the product. For the manufacturer, it corresponds to the "margin of competitiveness of its products."

Many buyers, when making a decision to purchase a particular product, use the following criteria: price and quality (moreover, for some buyers this may mean reliability, for others - aesthetic characteristics). The consumer weighs whether "enough quality" is offered to him for the specified price. Describing good buy, people often say that "for just so many rubles, they managed to buy a product with such and such advantages." In other words, the buyer believes that it was not a pity to give even more for the purchased goods. But since it got cheaper, the acquisition price is lower than consumer value. The competitiveness of the goods is the higher, the greater the share of unpaid utility received by the consumer as a gift.

By comparing goods designed to meet the same need, the buyer takes into account their consumer properties, finds out the degree of compliance with their own needs. At the same time, he strives to optimal ratio between the level of consumer properties of the product and the costs of its acquisition and use, that is, to obtain the maximum consumer effect per unit of costs. In relation to a specific need, this ratio can be achieved by a number of different products due to the presence of similar properties in them. Accordingly, all of them will have the ability to satisfy this need and in relation to it can be considered as interchangeable. For example, a person's need for mobility can be satisfied by using a car, motorcycle, bicycle, train, etc.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

MOSCOW BANKING INSTITUTE

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC THEORY

COURSE WORK

ON ECONOMIC THEORY

ON THE TOPIC: COMPETITIVENESS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY.

Work checked:

I've done the work:

Moscow 2010

Introduction ________________________________________________________________________ 3

1. Formation of competitiveness in the global economy _______________________4

2. Definition of competitive sectors of the world economy _________________________________________________________________________8

3. Factors hindering the growth of the competitiveness of the economy ________________13

4. Prospects for increasing competitiveness ________________________________15

Conclusion.________________________________________________________________________________18

References _____________________________________________________________21

Introduction.

At present, passing under the sign of globalization, the problem of the competitiveness of national economies has become acute. It is safe to say that for most countries the growth of national competitiveness will be one of the priorities for the coming decades. And in the world economic thought The problem of competitiveness over the past 20 years has become one of the most actively developed and discussed.

The basis of a competitive economy is a competitive industry. All activities: programs developed and legislative acts, state regulation procedures and activities state support should be subordinated to the main and priority goal for today - ensuring the competitiveness of the competitiveness of the economy and the country as a whole.

Competition is one of the most important features of a market economy. It is competition that ensures the creative freedom of the individual, creates conditions for its self-realization in the economic sphere through the development and creation of new competitive goods and services. In modern conditions of the increasing process of globalization and internationalization, the problems of international competition come to the fore.
An indicator of the recognition of the leading role of competition for the successful functioning of the market economy is the fact that in most countries of the world, including countries with economies in transition, competition laws have now been adopted and national authorities have been established to deal with these issues.
Country and sectoral competitiveness ultimately depends on the ability of a particular commodity producer to produce a competitive product.

The competitiveness of the economy is the basis for development . The competitiveness of the economy is primarily the activation of exports. The development of exports is the most important task of the Government.
Industrial competitiveness is the flag to be carried as the ultimate symbol of economic transformation. This is the idea that can unite people, regardless of their political preferences and position in society.
There will be a competitive industry, there will be:

export and foreign exchange earnings (independence from the state of international commodity markets);
stable tax revenues to the budget;
employment;
social and political stability;

well-deserved position in the international arena

1. Formation of competitiveness in the global economy.

Russia is part of the world economy, and this is a fait accompli. Let's consider competitiveness in the world economy on the example of Russia.
The most important goal of the Government of Russia: the creation of a competitive economy that ensures the country's leadership in the international market.

AT international rankings competitiveness Russia traditionally belongs to the group developing countries characterized by increased political and economic instability, unfavorable investment climate, as well as extremely high risks economic activity.

In modern conditions, the competitiveness of the country is an indicator of the state

and prospects for the development of the economic system, determines the nature of its participation in the international division of labor, acts as a guarantor economic security and in general view represents the ability of a country in conditions of free competition to produce goods and services that meet the requirements of the world market, the implementation of which increases the well-being of the population. The deepening of financial and economic ties, the openness of national economies, their complementarity and rapprochement determine the strategic target for Russia's development - "to enter" world economy not as a raw material appendage, but as an economically developed country With high level technological development, strong financial institutions, developed infrastructure and information sector. In addition, the integration of Russia into the world economic community as a competitive economy will contribute to the implementation of a long-term program to achieve sustainable

economic growth.

In view of the foregoing, the task of

full and effective entry of Russia into world economy, raise

the level of competitiveness of the country as a whole and business entities in particular,

which requires new research on this issue, identifying the features

competition in modern economic conditions, as well as an analysis of the prerequisites and

restrictions on the formation of Russia's competitive advantages.

A general definition of a country's competitiveness can be formulated

based on the concept proposed by A. Z. Seleznev: “competitiveness

is due to economic, social, political and other

factors, the position of the country and its individual producers in the domestic and

foreign markets, reflected through indicators (indicators) that adequately characterize such a state and its dynamics.

Competitiveness is an objective process that reflects the continuity and dynamism of the development of the economic system.

National competitiveness is defined as the resulting relative indicator that reflects the level of efficiency in the production, distribution and sale of goods both within the country and abroad in order to increase its own economic potential and the level of socio-economic development. Based on the presented interpretation, it follows that the essence of the country's competitiveness implies a certain level of competitiveness of domestic companies and the goods they produce.

"Producers" of competitive advantages are firms and industries, therefore

only they can implement them. The state is the "holder"

competitive advantages in terms of creating an environment, conditions for their

formations (macro level). Accordingly, the State cannot directly

to maintain and develop the created competitive advantages, this is the field of activity

companies (micro level). Analysis of the essence of the concept of "international

competitiveness of the country" allows us to conclude that the most reasonable

approach to determining the competitiveness of the economy is presented on the basis of

identification of factors of competitiveness.

At the same time, a combination of objective and subjective factors favorably

distinguishing subjects and objects of economic activity (country, region, firm,

product) from their competitors represents a competitive advantage. In conditions

Globalization of the economy significantly changes the nature of the factors of the country's competitiveness, their ratio and interconnection. Internal structure

economic system becomes flexible and easily adapts to external factors.

environment, while the system itself is aimed at the formation of promising (future)

competitive advantages determined by new technological paradigms, new

markets, development human capital etc. It is obvious that an adequate change

the internal structure of the economy becomes possible due not only to factors

extensive growth, but above all, qualitative changes and innovative

development.

AT international practice developed and constantly improved

three main centers for the study of global competitiveness: the Institute

strategy and competitiveness at Harvard University (USA),

International Institute for Management Development (MIDM) and the World Economic

forum (WEF). If the first institute studies competitiveness in the corporate

plane, the other two make up their country competitiveness ratings and

regions based on their own exclusive research methodologies.

Under the competitiveness of a country, MIRM understands the ability of a nation to create and

to support the environment in which a competitive business emerges. Annual

Since 1989, MIRM has been conducting analytical research in collaboration with research

The concept and significance of the competitiveness of the national economy

Remark 1

The national economy is a complex, multi-stage system that covers the entire socio-economic complex of the state. In general terms, it can be defined as a historically established system of social reproduction of the country.

The national economy should be understood as an interconnected set economic entities and types of economic activity, covering all forms of social division of labor. Its basic features are:

common economic space;
territorial certainty with a common economic center;
tight economic ties between business entities.

The fundamental goal of the national economy is to ensure the economic growth of the country's economy by maximizing the opportunities for creating favorable conditions for the life of the country's population.

The national economy has various characteristics, one of which is its competitiveness. Competitiveness in the general sense is usually understood as the ability to be better than its competitors. It is always based on the presence of certain competitive advantages.

With regard to the sphere of social reproduction, the term "competitiveness" takes on a slightly different meaning. Most often, the competitiveness of the national economy is usually considered as three components:

the ability of the state to achieve high rates of economic growth, sustainable in the medium term;
the level of productivity of the country's factors of production;
the ability of economic entities to successfully compete in world markets.

Remark 2

In a general sense, the competitiveness of the national economy should be understood as the competitiveness of the system of social, state and political and legal structure of the country and the regulation of all parties. public life. It can also be defined as the ability of the state to ensure sustainable, dynamic development of the national economy, which implies the material well-being of members of society that meets international standards.

There are three basic elements at the heart of ensuring the competitiveness of the national economy (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Fundamentals of ensuring the competitiveness of the national economy. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

The competitiveness of the national economy is ensured by the effectiveness of the state economic policy, the development of the economy of knowledge production and the growth of competition in external and internal markets.

Stages of growth of competitiveness of the national economy

According to the classical approach, designated by M. Porter, there are four basic stages of competitiveness of the national economy. In general, they are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Stages of competitiveness of the national economy. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

Each of the presented stages corresponds to four basic incentives (driving forces) that determine the development of the national economy. At the same time, the first three stages are characterized by an increase in the competitiveness of the national economy, and the last one predetermines its stabilization.

At the first stage of growth, the competitive advantages of the national economy are achieved through the use of factors of production ( economic resources). It is characterized by vulnerability and instability of competitive advantages. The very same economic system of the state is characterized by high sensitivity to random events that occur in the global space, such as the movement of transnational capital, change exchange rates, economic crises etc.

At the second stage of growth, the achievement of competitive advantages is ensured through investment, through effective investment policy. In this case, competitive advantages are more sustainable, and the development and implementation of new technologies are more widespread.

The third stage is characterized by the reliance of competitive advantages on innovations, stimulation of innovations, as well as growth. scientific organizations oriented to the specific needs of industries and firms. In general, it is characterized by a higher and more difficult to achieve level of competitive advantages, in comparison with the previous stages.

Factors of competitiveness of the national economy

Certain factors underlie the competitiveness of any state economic system. Otherwise, they are usually called factors of competitiveness of the national economy. All of them are divided into factors of lower and higher order. Currently, there are two main approaches to their definition:

neoclassical approach (according to M. Porter);
institutional approach (according to O. Williamson).

According to the neoclassical approach, voiced by M. Porter, the competitiveness factors of national economic systems divided into basic and developed. The former exist objectively, and their creation requires insignificant private and/or public investment. These factors include natural and climatic resources, the economic and geographical position of the country, labor force, etc. Often, the benefits generated by such factors are unstable, and the profit from their use is low.

Developed factors are considered higher order factors. To create them, as a rule, highly qualified personnel and highly developed technologies are required. On the basis of developed factors, complementary developed factors can be created.

In accordance with the institutional approach of O. Williamson, the competitiveness factors of the national economy can be general (universal) and specific. The former include those factors that can be used in a wide range of activities, and the latter include those that are used in one industry or a limited number of them.

Remark 3

As a rule, common factors form competitive advantages of a limited nature. Specific factors are based on general factors and form a more long-term, fundamental basis for ensuring the competitiveness of national economic systems. They are often riskier and more targeted.

Neoclassical models of economic growth

Neoclassical models of economic growth emerged in the mid-1950s. of the 20th century, when the problem of achieving potentially possible growth rates came to the fore not so much due to unused capacities, but rather through the introduction of new technology, increasing labor productivity and improving the organization of production.

AT R. Solow models the Cobb-Douglas production function is used, in which the factors "labor" and "capital" are substitutes.

The prerequisites of the model are: a) decreasing marginal productivity of capital (MRC); b) constant returns to scale; c) a constant rate of retirement of capital; d) lack of investment lags; e) the interchangeability of factors is explained by technology and the assumptions of perfect competition in the market for factors of production.

The sentence describes a production function with constant returns to scale, and for any positive z it is true that .

where Y/L- productivity of individual labor y;

K/L- capital-labor ratio (capital-labor ratio) of labor k.

Then we can write that the productivity of labor is a function of the return on capital (at each point on the curve the tangent of the angle is equal to the marginal productivity of capital) and the supply can be defined as y=f(k) (Fig. 14.2).

Demand y in the R. Solow model is determined by consumption and investment, i.e.

where With and i- consumption and investment per employee.

Figure 14.2 - Dependence of labor productivity on capital-labor ratio.

But either, then, or
, so the demand is defined as

Given the equality of supply and demand, we have:

The dynamics of the volume of output depends on investments, the level of their disposal. Investment changes the capital-labor ratio k and depend on the rate of accumulation , i.e. .

The disposal of funds is equal to the value dk, where d- annually retired part of the capital k. Hence the dynamics of the capital stock is as follows: or .

There is an equilibrium capital-labor ratio k*.

If the capital-labor ratio is less than the equilibrium value, i.e. k 1 < k*, the investment is greater than the disposal. i.e. i> dk, which means that their growth increases the capital-labor ratio to k*. If the capital-labor ratio is greater than the equilibrium value, i.e. k 2 > k*, then the investment is less than the disposal, i.e. i < dk, which means that the capital-labor ratio is reduced to k* (Fig. 14.3).

Figure 14.3 - Equilibrium value of capital-labor ratio

The value of the equilibrium capital-labor ratio is affected by the rate of accumulation (savings). Increasing the rate of accumulation to 1 increases the equilibrium value of the capital-labor ratio to k* 1, increases labor productivity ( cm. rice. 14.3).

Let the population grow at a pace n. Now, in order to maintain the previous level of capital-labor ratio, an investment volume is required that will not only cover the outflow of capital, but also provide them with new workers, i.e., the change in the capital stock per worker will become equal to = i-dk-nk, = f(k) – (d+n)k.

For the state of equilibrium capital-labor ratio, the equality is necessary:

= f(k) – (d+n)k = 0.

In this case, the slope coefficient increases ( d+n)k and the equilibrium capital-labor ratio k*decreases k* 1 (Fig. 14.4).

Thus, in order for the capital-labor ratio to remain constant, with the growth of population, capital must increase at the same rate, i.e.

Figure 14.4 - Capital-labor ratio with population growth

Thus, population growth is a factor in economic growth.

Accounting for technological progress in the model modifies the original production function (a labor-saving form of scientific and technical progress is assumed), i.e.

Y=F(K, LE),

where E- labor efficiency;

LE- number conventional units work with constant efficiency E. The more E, the more output a worker can produce.

Let E grows with the pace g. If the number L grows with the pace n, a E with the pace g, then the number of conventional units of labor with constant efficiency LE grows with the pace n + g). From here k = i – dk– nk – gk or k = f(k) – (d+n+g)k.

Thus, in the presence of scientific and technological progress, the total volume of capital and output will grow at a rate g which is the basis for improving the well-being of the population.

Because the economic growth associated with different savings rates, the problem arises of choosing the optimal rate of accumulation at which consumption will reach a maximum.

"Golden" level of capital accumulation (« Golden Rule Phelps accumulation) is the level of capital accumulation that ensures the highest consumption of society and the sustainable state of the economy.

Consumption growth is possible up to the point where the investment growth rate is greater than the capital outflow rate (point k** rice. 14.5). Here, the volume of output increases more than the increase in disposal and consumption.

Change in capital-labor ratio k gives an increase in output equal to the marginal productivity of capital and increases retirement by d(MRK = d). Taking into account population growth and scientific and technological progress, RTOs = d+n+g, which is equal to the tangent with slope d+n+g. If the economy in the initial state has a larger capital stock, a program is needed to reduce the marginal propensity to save.

If the capital stock is less than k**, then a program to increase the level of savings is needed. This program will initially lead to an increase in investment and a fall in consumption, but as capital accumulates, consumption begins to rise again.

R. Solow's model singles out technical progress as the only basis for sustainable growth of welfare.

The disadvantage of the model is that it analyzes the state of sustainable growth in the long term, without taking into account a number of growth constraints (resource, environmental, social).

Figure 14.5 - "Golden" level of capital accumulation

In the neoclassical model, a sustainable growth rate is determined exogenously. Modern theories endogenous growth, they try to determine sustainable growth rates within the framework of the endogenous model, linking it to all possible quantitative and qualitative factors: resource, institutional, and others.

Supporters of the concept of "supply-side economics" believe that an increase in growth rates at full employment is possible by reducing regulatory intervention from outside the market economy.

Model J. Mead also has a neoclassical basis and explains economic growth by marginalist approaches, using the law of marginal productivity of factors. Using a modernized version of the Cobb-Douglas function, J. Mead derived the equation for the possibility of stable dynamic equilibrium:

where y- average annual growth rate of national income;

k- average annual growth rate of capital;

L- average annual growth rate of labor;

Share of capital in national income;

Share of labor in national income;

r- the rate of technological progress.

Thus, the growth rate of national income is equal to the sum of the growth rates of labor and capital, weighted by their share of expenditure in national income, plus the rate of technological progress. Assuming that the rate of growth of labor and technical progress is constant, J. Mead concludes that a sustainable rate of economic growth will be achieved provided that the rate of growth of capital is stable and equal to the rate of growth of national income.

If the rate of capital increase exceeds the rate of growth of national income, this will lead to an automatic decrease in the rate of accumulation. This dependence is a consequence of the assumption of a constant share of savings in national income, so the increase in savings necessary to finance higher rates of accumulation will lag behind the latter, exerting a restraining effect on them, and vice versa.

Considering the influence of labor productivity growth rates on dynamic equilibrium, J. Mead came to the conclusion that if they exceed the rates of capital accumulation, then due to a decrease in the marginal productivity of labor, labor will be replaced by capital and a new combination of them in manufacturing process provide full time both labor and capital. Therefore, in reality, it is necessary to observe the correspondence between the growth rates of labor and capital accumulation. If the growth of labor is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in capital, the increase in the labor force will be excessive.

In the event of unemployment in the labor market, competition will increase, which will lead to a decrease in the wage rate and an increase in the profitability of capital. As a result, the rate of accumulation will increase, which will balance with the growth rate of the labor force. The state in the model of J. Mead should play only an indirect stabilizing role through the use of monetary policy. Only this will make it possible to create an effective mechanism for the redistribution of income and savings, ensuring necessary employment resources and sustainable economic growth.

A. Lewis model considers the labor reserve as the basis of economic growth and is applicable to countries where "population density is high, capital is scarce, and natural resources are limited" (India, Pakistan, Egypt, etc.).

In the center of the analysis is the figure of the entrepreneur. In addition, the task is to optimally redistribute part of the labor resources between the sectors of the economy: agriculture and industry in order to accelerate economic growth. The supply of labor resources in the agricultural sector is unlimited, and in the industrial sector it is a function cash capital, the level of technology and demand for manufactured products.

A. Lewis divides economic growth itself into two types: in industry, its source is the use of an additional amount of labor (extensive type), in agriculture- increase in the marginal productivity of labor (intense type). These two types of economic growth correspond to two different functions of investment. In industry we are talking, mainly about the expansion of capital. In agriculture, investment is expanding due to shrinking profits: increased costs of wages forces to replace manual labor with machine labor in order to increase profits by reducing costs.

A. Lewis believed that the model is not applicable to Western countries that have already passed the industrial stage, other authors, on the contrary, see it as workable even in a developed economy. Countries such as Great Britain, Sweden, Belgium, Norway and Denmark also confirmed the A. Lewis model, but in an inverse relationship: low economic growth rates in these countries were associated with limited use of labor resources and production capacity. Another group consisted of countries experiencing a significant labor surplus (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Yugoslavia, Turkey). Their economic growth, according to S. Kindleberger, also fits into the model of A. Lewis. These countries supplied with labor not only their own industry, but also the industry of other European states and served as a kind of reserve fund labor for the entire continent.

For countries with open economy competitiveness is of great importance. It is she who determines the further economic growth of the country, the solution of the problem foreign trade, the level of well-being of the population.

Competitiveness- this is the presence of abilities and properties that provide advantages in comparison with economic rivals in certain areas of activity. National Competitiveness- this is the ability to efficiently and productively use the available resources, as a result of which the economy can constantly develop, producing innovations and implementing innovations.

There are the following levels of competitiveness economy: competitiveness of goods, enterprises, industries, regional competitiveness and competitiveness of the country. If for a product the key factors in determining the level of competitiveness are its price and quality, hence the main competitive strategies of the company are the cost reduction strategy and the differentiation strategy aimed at finding new technologies and creating products with new characteristics.

criterion the competitiveness of the firm is the profitability of production, the scale innovation activities, the level of labor productivity, the effectiveness of strategic planning, management, its adaptability to market conditions.

Sectoral competitiveness is associated with an assessment of the international specialization of the national economy, the share of exports of goods and capital of a given industry in the overall structure of exports and outflows of capital.

We are talking about the competitiveness of individual regions when competitive advantages are associated with the local conditions of some territories, where successfully competing firms and industries have a pronounced geographical concentration, and the level of territorial decentralization of management functions allows you to independently enter the world market.

The competitiveness of a country is an indicator that determines all previous levels of competitiveness.

Basic Theory of Country Competitiveness M. Porter identifies four components that ensure such competitiveness:

1) factor conditions. Along with the main factors of production, their quantity and quality, acquired factors (modern infrastructure, highly educated personnel, research institutes, etc.) are of great importance;

2) significant in size, segmented demand in the domestic market for the goods of an industry striving for international leadership;

3) the presence of related and supporting (auxiliary, related) industries with strong international positions;

4) an additional condition for the country's competitiveness is public policy (the state forms the institutional structure in which the firm or industry operates).

The general patterns of competitiveness do not exclude the great influence and significance of local conditions, customs, and economic policy.

Overseas experience achieving competitiveness shows that each country has its own way of securing a strong position in the world market. National prosperity is created. To do this, a set of forces must operate that would ensure a constant readiness to innovate, modernize the economy, and accelerate development.

Competitiveness as a property of the economy is a very dynamic quality. To maintain it, a competitive basis of the economy and purposeful support of the state are necessary.

Achieving competitiveness requires the implementation of the following approaches:

a) expanding the export of efficiently operating industries and industries;

b) import of goods for which the country is not competitive;

c) facilitating the export of capital in the form of direct investment of those industries that are less productive within the national economy or whose development pursues the expansion of sales markets by overcoming customs barriers.

Foreign practice shows that the starting positions for the development of competitiveness are in industries based on the use of natural resources or labor-intensive goods. It is important to consider the focus on creating competitive advantages in strictly defined industries, segments, or even in individual productions. The rational structure of export-import operations is of great importance.