What makes a region stand out from the crowd? Although many regions have a similar institutional structure and business environment, why do some of them perform better than others? How can we set new strategic directions for our region?

Murat Arik, interim director of the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU, answers those questions in a recently published new book, "Understanding and Analyzing Competitive Dynamics."

The book, with Arik as author and BERC senior research associate Steve Livingston as a contributor, analyzes business and economic dynamics from an interdisciplinary perspective by incorporating tools and approaches from regional economic development, international business and strategic management literature.

"This book has emerged out of Jones College's extensive involvement in business communities across Middle Tennessee. We wanted to share our experience with the academic communities and economic development professionals across the world," Arik said.

The goal of the book is to help students of economic development understand the dynamics of business growth.

"This type of scholarship is extremely helpful in positioning MTSU, the Jones College of Business, and the BERC as major voices in regional public policy decisions," said Dr. David Urban, dean of the Jones College.

Arik received his bachelor's degree from Ankara University in Turkey in public administration, his master's from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, his doctorate from the University of Connecticut in international political economy and foreign policy, and his AACSB-accredited post-doctoral bridge program from the University of Florida in strategic management, international business and marketing.

Arik has nearly 15 years of experience in regional economic analysis. His primary research areas include human capital formation, regional economic development, industry cluster analysis, downtown revitalization, and community needs assessment among others.