Mthente has been commissioned by Productivity South Africa to undertake an in-depth research study with the aim of developing a set of competitiveness indicators that are appropriate for the South African context. In turn, these indicators will provide a basis from which to identify the key drivers of competitiveness that should form the focus of future efforts to improve South Africa’s competitive standing in the global economy.

In order to develop an appropriate set of competitiveness indicators, the research methodology will focus on:

• A desktop review of South Africa’s competitive standing in international rankings, and an identification of the country’s competitive strengths as well as key issues that current prevent the country from being more competitive globally.
• A case study analysis of economic models of competitiveness in eight countries with a view to drawing out pertinent lessons for the South African context.
• A series of stakeholder interviews designed to gain insight into South Africa’s unique competitive strengths, existing challenges to improving the country’s competitiveness and indicators that policy makers should focus on to drive South Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy.