Dynamic competition: a look at firms in the Fortune Global 500

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of factors that impact global competitiveness for firms in the Fortune Global 500. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses regression analysis to investigate the relationship between relevant competitiveness factors and firm performance for Fortune Global 500 firms, using the time period 1995‐2009. Findings – The composition of firms on the list has changed over the timeframe. The results indicate that headquarters location and globalization are key indicators of firm performance. Other factors such as chief executive officer tenure have a lesser impact on firm performance. Research limitations/implications – The timeframe of the study may have impacted the findings. The study included only large firms and thus the findings may not hold for smaller or medium‐sized firms. Additional follow‐up studies are planned. Practical implications – Managers can identify factors associated with global competitiveness from the paper and pursue those factors in their business strategies. Originality/value – This study replicates other studies that analyze the relationship between firm situational factors and firm performance. However, this study uses a unique sample, the Fortune Global 500, over a 15‐year period.