A Simplified Method For Analyzing Regional Competitiveness And Its Application To The Mexican Northwest Economic Region

This paper presents a simplified method for regional competitiveness analysis, designed to enhance the understanding of economic disparities across regions. The proposed methodology organizes regions based on key economic indicators, focusing on competitiveness, and employs quartile-based classification to highlight regional homogeneity, relative positions, and internal disparities. By utilizing box-and-whisker plots, the method allows for a clear identification of outliers and the detection of significant gaps in competitiveness within well-defined regions. The approach combines interregional analysis using general economic indicators and intraregional evaluation with sub-indices, enabling a more nuanced understanding of regional dynamics. The methodology involves ranking states by competitiveness sub-indices, followed by the creation of graphical representations such as box plots to visualize regional patterns and potential outliers. The analysis proceeds from an interregional perspective, moving toward a more detailed intraregional examination. This step-by-step process reveals the regions leading in competitiveness and those requiring greater attention for development. In addition, the radial graph is suggested as a tool to further clarify the data, offering a clearer visualization of competitiveness disparities. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, a practical application is provided using the "Índice para la Competitividad Estatal 2024" from the Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad A.C. (IMCO), which allows for a comprehensive assessment of Mexico's regions. The results showcase the regions with the highest competitiveness and those facing challenges, offering actionable insights for policymakers, regional planners, and researchers. This approach serves as a valuable tool in regional economic analysis, providing an accessible, data-driven framework for identifying key areas for intervention and investment.