Business Groups, International Competition and Economic Development : An Overview of Mexico's Largest Firms Over Time

The formation of (domestic) Business Groups (BGs) has been a common phenomenon in developing countries around the world, and more specifically in emerging market economies. This paper analyzes the current contribution of Mexico's 500 largest enterprises to economic (and social) development; and how they have evolved over the past 2 decades. In this period new big business groups (BGs) emerged, positioning themselves in strategic industries, combining resources to allow the formation of Latin America's main leading emerging multinationals. What are the industries in which those groups' main companies compete (and success) locally and internationally; and the extent of which this success has place Mexico's as a leading country in Latin America is explained