The monograph presents, in the form of nine case studies, an examination of the changes taking place in the most powerful economies, representing three regions of the world: Europe, North and South America and Asia. An assessment of the international competitiveness of the world's leading economies has been undertaken, considering key areas of a modern economy, including international activity, trade, investment and business,. The study examines: Germany, France, the UK (including Northern Ireland), the United States of America, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan and India. A common framework for studying each economy was used, including: analysis of basic economic indicators; identification of membership in international organisations; analysis of the structure of international trade; examination of foreign direct investment flows; identification of transnational corporations hosted and an assessment of the degree of openness of the respective national economy. Each of the analyses is supplemented with a comprehensive study of the international competitiveness on the basis of a systemically-balanced model (developed by M. Rosińska-Bukowska). In assessing the competitiveness of economies for each of the 4 levels (micro-, meso-, macro- and meta-economic level), identical parameters were studied for the selected country group in order to ensure comparability of the results. In order to facilitate a regional approach, three economies from the different parts of the world were selected: Europe, the Americas and Asia. Indicators were used to compare the rate of economic development, changes in the value of imports, exports, GDP and HDI, the relationship between the economic situation and fluctuations in selected parameters, as well as country’s involvement in international initiatives regulating political and trade relations. The analyses presented cover the period 2005-2021, for foreign direct investment the period is 1990-2021.

This book is included in DOAB.