National competitiveness in the sustainability context

Anotace: This research explores national competitiveness through the framework of the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI), linking it to GDP per capita. Using fuzzy set/Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), it analyzes the causal complexity of GSCI data. The empirical findings provide solutions for countries at different GDP levels to achieve either high or low competitiveness. Two key research questions are addressed: First, high competitiveness is not exclusive to countries with high GDP per capita, as such countries can also exhibit low competitiveness. Second, countries with low GDP per capita consistently show low competitiveness. The analysis highlights that multiple pathways can lead to the same outcome, allowing policymakers to select strategies best suited to achieving high competitiveness.