The importance of subjective well-being in building competitiveness

Keywords: Competitiveness, objective well-being, subjective well-being, Competitive process

Abstract

By conceptualizing competitiveness as “the process through which, based on a set of resources and capabilities that are a source of competitive advantages, a territory can achieve previously established objectives of well-being and sustainable development”, the authors reflect on the relationship between competitiveness and well-being. This led them to consider that well-being should address not only objective well-being (state of affairs) but also subjective well-being (reflection of that state on the level of satisfaction), as well as the fact that one of the most substantial contributions from economic theory to competitiveness construction processes is to research what elements from objective economic well-being have the greatest impact on the subjective well-being or happiness of the population. Research papers that present findings along these lines are introduced, one of which demonstrates that it is possible to find differences in valuations regarding the incidence of different aspects of objective well-being on subjective well-being when different regions within a determined territory are considered. These results are important to the definition of public policy and firm strategies in the process of constructive competitiveness.

Author Biographies

Roberto Horta, Universidad Católica del Uruguay

PhD in Economics and Business Management from University of Deusto, Spain. He is a researcher on competitiveness, clusters, innovation, and internationalization of firms. He is a member of the National System of Researchers of Uruguay. He has published several academic papers in scientific peer-reviewed journals. He actively participates in international academic networks, such as the Microeconomics of Competitiveness Network, the Mercosur SMEs Network, among others. He is a researcher and professor emeritus at the Catholic University of Uruguay where he has developed extensive academic and research activity. He was dean of the business school as well as the first director of the competitiveness institute. He has been an invited professor at several universities in Latin America and Europe. He has collaborated in numerous opportunities in events organized by the private sector. He is a member of the National Academy of Economics of Uruguay.

Micaela Camacho, Universidad Católica del Uruguay

competitiveness, wellbeing, economic development, clusters, and public policy. She is currently an independent researcher acting as a member of the Uruguayan National System of Researchers. She has contributed to the agenda with different publications such as technical reports, books, book chapters and academic papers in scientific peer-reviewed journals, and through direct contributions in international lectures, conferences, and multicultural dialogues. In particular, her doctoral dissertation (Summa Cum Laude) was concerned with competitiveness, wellbeing, and cities. She also holds an MBA from Copenhagen Business School. She was the director of the Competitiveness Institute at Universidad Católica del Uruguay, where she also held several distinct academic management roles. She is currently an independent international consultant and advisor working for different multilateral organizations as well as associations, government officials and private sector enterprises.

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Published
2025-02-26
How to Cite
Horta, Roberto, and Micaela Camacho. 2025. “The Importance of Subjective Well-Being in building Competitiveness”. Bulletin of Economic Studies 79 (235), 49-66. https://doi.org/10.18543/bee.2986.