International success: Company strategy and national advantage

The author summarizes Michael Porter's well-known explanations of how nationally-based firms are able to compete successfully against rivals overseas. There are two elements: the firm's own competitive strategy and features of national advantage that help to promote international success in a global industry. Keith Glaister extends Porter's analysis by integrating the two elements and showing that, although both are necessary for international success, neither one alone is sufficient. Lessons for managers in conducting corporate strategy are given.