14th CompNet Annual Conference, 25-26 September 2025, Vilnius

Conference Theme 

This Conference will explore the intricate relationship between productivity, competitiveness, and economic convergence. As global trade patterns shift, economic policies evolve, and firms navigate increasing geopolitical uncertainties, the role of small open economies in Europe has become more critical than ever. 

This conference will bring together leading researchers, policymakers, and experts to examine the key challenges European firms face in a globalized world, the drivers of sustained growth, and the dynamics of Europe’s competitiveness. A central theme will be understanding the unique strengths, vulnerabilities, and policy strategies that influence small open economies' ability to remain competitive. 

Call for Papers 

We invite submissions of high-quality research papers that address the interplay between competitiveness, productivity growth, and economic convergence, particularly in the context of small open economies. The conference aims to bridge academic research and policy discussions, encouraging contributions that combine strong theoretical frameworks, rigorous empirical methodologies, and policy-relevant insights. 

Kindly submit your paper via this form. 

For organizational questions, please contact cbpd-assistance@iwh-halle.de 

 Key Topics 

Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes: 

• Drivers of productivity growth at the firm, industry, and national levels and their impact on competitiveness and economic resilience. 
• Small open economies in global markets: challenges and opportunities related to economies of scale and market competitiveness. 
• Global Value Chains (GVCs), near-shoring, and friend-shoring: risks and opportunities for small open economies. 
• Firm and industry competitiveness in regional and global markets. 
• Economic policies and institutional support: their role in shaping productivity, competitiveness, and balanced economic growth. 
• Entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth: Contribution, and regulatory vs cultural aspects.   
• Resilience and adaptation strategies to enhance competitiveness in an evolving global economy. 
• Competitiveness as a driver of economic convergence at regional and global levels. 
• Trade-offs and synergies between economic convergence and competitiveness. 
• Structural reforms and their role in aligning economic convergence with competitiveness. 

More Information