Stages of the Economic Integration and the Level of International Competitiveness. Optimization Methods. The EU Case

Abstract

The paper highlights and discusses the concept of integration optimum. For this reason, there are analyzed aspectsrelated to the stages of integration and the level of international competitiveness as well as the relationship competitiveness -integration – second-best optimum. The integration’s benefits and costs are outlined in various stages of the EU enlargement,emphasizing the importance of combining national resources, performances towards competitiveness and the dynamics ofdimension efficiency. The paper also includes an analysis of integration in different areas (Latin America, Northern America,Asia and Africa) and the degree of institutionalization in relation to competitiveness.

Keywords

• Integration
• optimum
• competitiveness
• institutionalization
• costs
• benefits