The rise and decline of nations throughout history continuously puzzles economists. Experience shows that successful economic performance is a very complex process, the scope of which goes well beyond the simplified neoclassical approach to growth. Business environment is a key determinant of...

Recent research on the role of foreign activities and their impact on firm characteristics has, with few exceptions, confirmed the existence of persistently large differences between exporters and non-exporters in terms of size, investments, innovative activity etc. In spite of the mounting...