Title: Sustaining competitive advantage in the global petrochemical industry: a Saudi Arabian perspective

Authors: Salem M. Al-Ghamdi, M. Sadiq Sohail

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P.O. Box 667, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia. ' Department of Management and Marketing, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, PO Box 210, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This paper analyses the competitive advantages of Saudi Arabia in the global petrochemical industry. Porter|s model is used for this purpose. Saudi Arabia, a leading producer of oil, is also the largest worldwide producer of a number of petrochemical products. Competitiveness in the global market demands an examination of comparative advantages and is the reason why Saudi Arabia is yet to succeed in the global market. This paper is an attempt to analyse the industry and to provide strategic alternatives.

Keywords: petrochemical industry; Porter; Saudi Arabia; strategy; competitive advantage; globalisation; oil; international business.

DOI: 10.1504/JIBED.2006.011948

Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2006 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.4 - 17

Published online: 04 Jan 2007 *

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