OUR RESEARCH
The Competitiveness Mindset Study
India has a capable workforce. So why do we fall short in global competition?
While India has made substantial strides in economic growth, how does it compare in global competitiveness with other BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economies?
Per capita export measures the value of goods and services a country exports per person, reflecting how effectively its industries and workforce translate production into globally competitive output. India is a nation of capable people — so why does it lag behind in global competitiveness?
¹ According to the International Trade Center’s report, Geneva, Switzerland 2024.
PER CAPITA EXPORTS — BRICS, 2024
Russia
China
South Africa
Brazil
~6x higher than India
India
$572 — lowest among BRICS
Illustrative — relative standing based on figures cited in CMI’s research; exact values for other BRICS nations pending final sourcing.
RESEARCH STUDY
A nationwide study, done properly for the first time.
In order to understand these low competitiveness figures, a nationwide research study was conducted under the aegis of IIT Gandhinagar and Bankworld, Inc.
No such detailed and rigorous study had been done before to evaluate the key attributes of competitiveness and understand where we stood in India.
The study involved thousands of CEOs, academicians, policy-makers, and more, nationwide, to assess and analyze the relative lack of competitiveness reported above.
WHO WAS SURVEYED
CEOs & business leaders
Academicians & researchers
Policy-makers
and more, nationwide
KEY INSIGHTS
The gap has a name.
The study identified which non-cognitive skills matter most for competitiveness. Of the attributes surveyed, five stood out:
01
Conscientiousness
02
Perseverance
03
Innovativeness
04
Taking Initiative
05
Problem Solving
We call these skills The 5 Pillars of the Competitiveness Mindset.
A 2024 OECD study also concludes that non-cognitive skills are largely independent of cognitive skills. Someone can have high academic and technical ability but can still underperform professionally without a well-developed non-cognitive skill set.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS?
FROM RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
How do we train these skills, and how effective are our programs?
Designed to build 5 core non-cognitive skills in participants.
Participants have demonstrated measurable improvements in both their work and personal lives.