Advancing Business Leadership: Mapping the Scientific Landscape of Competitiveness Determinants

Competitiveness is imperative for business leadership, as it fosters resilience and the capacity to outperform in a rapidly evolving market. This study explores the evolution of competitiveness factors and identifies those most critical in the current business environment. Competitiveness, traditionally associated with market performance and cost efficiency, has undergone a significant conceptual transformation, increasingly converging with sustainability and digitalization. Using a bibliometric approach, the research analyzed 741 publications indexed in the SCOPUS database, employing tools such as VOSviewer 1.6.20, Bibliometrix, and R 4.4.3 software for keyword co-occurrence mapping and thematic evolution analysis of competitiveness factors. A graphical representation has been employed to convey the results. The findings reveal that innovation remains the most persistent and dominant factor across all periods, underscoring its foundational role in competitive advantage. However, recent years have witnessed a marked rise in sustainability and digital transformation as key drivers of competitiveness. Sustainability, once peripheral, now represents a strategic imperative, reflecting global priorities related to climate change, social responsibility, and regulatory compliance. Similarly, digital transformation has emerged as a motor theme since 2017, highlighting the impact of advanced technologies, such as AI, big data, and automation, on operational efficiency and strategic positioning. Cluster analysis further demonstrates interconnections among these factors, with sustainability and digitalization linked to innovations, information technology, knowledge, human capital, strategy, and investments. The study concludes that competitiveness is no longer defined solely by financial metrics but by the ability to integrate technological, environmental, and social dimensions into business models. These insights provide a comprehensive framework for managers and policymakers to align competitive strategies with emerging global trends, ensuring long-term viability and resilience in dynamic markets.