Measuring Competitiveness in the World's Smallest Economies

Book excerpt: Attempts to measure competitiveness (CP) across countries have typically neglected the world¿s smallest economies. Hence, a simple composite index, the Small State Manufactured Export CP Index or SSMECI, was developed to benchmark industrial CP. The SSMECI represents the first attempt to provide a comprehensive picture of the CP performance of small states. The performance of small states varies across geographical regions, income groups, & country size classes. High-performing small states had better macroeconomic conditions, higher levels of foreign invest., more trade openness, better levels of educ., & modern infrastructure. A coherent, market-oriented CP strategy in small states is vital to success on international markets. Tables.