Strategic capabilities as a driver of competitiveness: a comparison of Russian and global companies

Competitiveness is a key measure of success for countries, industries, and companies. This study is devoted to the strategic capabilities underlying the competitiveness of companies in the Russian market. The theoretical foundations of strategic capabilities are conceptualized, and their role in the development of competitiveness through strengthening the competitive advantages of companies is emphasized. The research methodology of strategic capabilities is based on the leading publications of foreign and domestic scholars over the last 30 years. The empirical part of this study considers both the general and specific strategic capabilities of 30 Russian and multinational companies operating in the Russian market. According to the empirical results, Russian domestic companies focus on the development of one particular strategic capability only; Russian exporters have a more differentiated approach, developing a significant number of strategic capabilities simultaneously; finally, multinational companies endeavor to develop a balanced set of strategic capabilities. The most important strategic capabilities of companies in the Russian market are identified as follows: employee professionalism, quality control, innovations and unique technologies, corporate brand and reputation, market and trend understanding, customer orientation, and flexibility. The research results have practical value and can be used by Russian companies as key factors for increasing their competitiveness in the Russian market as well as in new foreign markets.