Firm-Level Output and Competitiveness in the Great Recession: The Role of Firm Characteristics and Qualitative Factors

We investigate the developments of output volatility and competitiveness during the recent global recession using a unique firm-level database. The database combines Slovak balance sheet and trade data with results of a qualitative questionnaire survey on the firm competitiveness. The results of our quantitative analysis show that younger, less export oriented and more productive firms with comparative advantage weathered the crisis better. In addition, we find that highly efficient leadership, professional management and strong orientation on cost reduction helped firms to recover from the crisis and reach higher than the pre-crisis level of competitiveness within a short time period since the outset of the crisis.