Measuring competitiveness through the global competitiveness project framework: the Brazilian experience

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to validate the global competitiveness project (GCP) framework in the Brazilian context; second, to describe the competitiveness levels on a sample of Brazilian firms, searching for heterogeneities of size, age and industry. Design/methodology/approach The study used the theoretical-empirical GCP framework, comprising the dimensions: human capital, product, domestic market, networks, technology, decision-making, competitive strategy, marketing, internationalization and online presence (Lafuente, Szerb and Rideg, 2016; Lafuente et al., 2019) and applied descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and cluster analysis, on a survey data set of 55 Brazilian firms from different sizes, ages and industries. Findings The GCP framework was found robust, reliable and useful in emerging economies as the Brazilian. Three clusters of competitiveness were identified. Heterogeneities were detected in knowledge-intensive business services results. This work allows a better understanding of competitiveness through the identification and measurement of dimensions, which can help managers to identify/audit capacities to plan/improve firm performance. Practical implications Findings may support managers to identify, estimate and manage their competitiveness pillars, and thus increase their competitiveness levels with a focus on strategic long-term goals. Originality/value This paper contributes to knowledge production in two ways: to the validation of the framework in the Brazilian scenario and the understanding of the dynamics of competitiveness of firms.