JOURNAL OF APPLIED BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
The Impact of the “BRIC Thesis” and the Rise of Emerging Economies on Global
Competitive Advantage: Will There Be a Shift from West to East?
Author(s): Richard T. Mpoyi
Citation: Richard T. Mpoyi, (2012) "The Impact of the “BRIC Thesis” and the Rise of Emerging Economies on Global
Competitive Advantage: Will There Be a Shift from West to East?," Vol. 13, Iss. 3, pp. 36 - 47
Article Type: Research paper
Publisher: North American Business Press
Abstract:
The paper examines the thesis that by mid-21st century BRIC economies of Brazil, Russia, India and
China (the “East”) would be wealthier than today’s seven largest developed economies of the G7 (the
“West”). After analyzing the thesis, the study proposes the following. First, economic power is likely to
shift from West to East because the combined GDP of the BRICs would be larger than that of the G7.
Second, competitive advantage is less likely to shift from West to East, as after reaching G7’s income
levels, BRIC economies would simply at best become as competitive as G7 economies.