Mehdi Shafaeddin is a development economist with a DPhil degree from Oxford University and over 30 years of experience in teaching, research and policy advice at the national and international levels. He held the position of Head, Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch, UNCTAD. He is currently an international consultant. Shafaeddin is the author of many articles on trade, industrialization and development policy issues in international academic journals. His latest books include ‘Trade Policy at the Crossroads: The Recent Experience of Developing Countries’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005).Erik S. Reinert is Professor of Technology and Development Strategies at the Tallinn Technical University in Estonia, and is the President of the Other Canon Foundation.

• List of Tables, Figures and Boxes; Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; 1. Introduction: Framework of Analysis; 2. Context and Conditions of International Competition; 3. Alternative Theories of Competitiveness; 4. Firm Strategy and New Industrial Organization; 5. External Economies: Organization of Interfirm Relations; 6. Reputation and Trust: A Firm’s Relations with Stakeholders and Others; 7. Innovation and Upgrading; 8. Government Policies; 9. The Experiences of China and Mexico; 10. Summary and Concluding Remarks; Appendices; Bibliography; Index