Desarrollo local, competitividad y apertura económica en Tamaulipas

Abstract

In the context of globalization, competitiveness has been employed extensively as an approach to promote regional or local development. In this article, municipal development and its relation to competitiveness in a situation of increasing economic openness and integration are evaluated. The state of Tamaulipas, Mexico is analyzed due to its relative economic and geographic position, which allows it to participate actively in globalizing processes. The research includes all 43 municipalities in Tamaulipas, for which the levels of competitiveness and development between 1990 and 2010 are estimated. A panel data regression analysis is employed to assess the link between these two variables. Estimates show persistent spatial disparities and suggest that higher competitiveness leads to more development. The evidence also indicates that other variables have mixed impacts.