Comparative Advantage, Competitive Heterogeneity and the Resource Based View

This paper is primarily concerned with inter-firm heterogeneity. By revisiting Ricardian economics and, in particular, introducing and applying the principles of comparative advantage to strategy inquiry, it advances current theoretical understanding of the phenomenon. Moreover, by introducing the notion of willingness-based isolating mechanisms, in contrast to ability-based ones, and integrating these with comparative and competitive advantage, the paper both complements the RBV as well as provides a more comprehensive understanding of heterogeneity and sustainable competitive advantage