This paper analyzes the impact of globalization on the exit behavior of manufacturing firms in one of the world’s most open economies: Belgium. We find that imports from low-wage countries exert a strong competitive effect that lowers a firm’s chances of survival. This competitive effect is...

A perception of declining EU competitiveness has intensified calls for structural reforms within the EU. This paper examines recent evidence on changes in relative EU competitiveness and considers the observed changes in relation to the evolving competitive environment facing EU firms during the...

This paper explores the problems experienced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions in gaining access to debt and equity finance for foreign direct investment (FDI) projects. We develop several arguments why such small businesses are expected to face severe...