Unveiling the competitiveness of non-resource enterprises in a resource-rich country: A qualitative case study of Brunei

In recent years, fluctuations in natural resource prices have significantly impacted the economies of countries that rely heavily on specific natural resources. Previous studies on resource-rich countries have primarily focused on natural resource industries, often overlooking the importance of developing non-natural resource industries, which in turn has constrained broader economic development. In response to this gap, the present study aims to explore how non-natural resource enterprises in resource-rich countries attain enterprise competitiveness. To achieve this, a qualitative case study approach is adopted, with oil-rich Brunei selected as the focal case. Based on the findings, this study proposes 5 strategic dimensions for Brunei's non-oil and gas sector – operation maintaining, financial diagnosing, organization flexibilizing, structure balancing, and development securing – which may serve as a valuable reference for other resource-rich countries seeking to pursue economic diversification.