Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how countries can make a more efficient and effective cooperation strategy, considering their competitive strengths and weaknesses. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an exploratory study in examining the efficient way of national cooperation from the competitiveness perspective. By applying the double diamond-based nine-factor model and the framework for the life cycle of national competitiveness, this study proposes the importance of cooperation strategy, considering the current competitiveness status. A case study of two economies of South Korea (hereafter referred to as Korea) and Dubai reveals a potentially substantial cooperative relationship. Findings Although Korea and Dubai are geographically and culturally distant, they share complementary resources to enhance their overall competitiveness. In addition, their past experiences of growth can effectively deal with their current challenges and help their economies move to more advanced stage. Practical implications The methodology used in this paper can provide a useful guideline for policy makers to examine the current development status of their economies, find an appropriate cooperation partner and decide the priority of cooperating areas. Originality/value Although most existing studies explain national competitiveness from a narrow perspective, this paper provides a more comprehensive analysis using the extended model of Porter’s single diamond model. In addition, this paper conducts an intensive case study of Dubai and Korea for possible cooperation.

BLACKYAK, a native brand founded over 40 years ago, is considered to have driven the growth of Korean outdoors market, the secondlargest single-country outdoors market in the world. It has seen remarkable achievements in Korea, and is now aggressively expanding to overseas markets in an attempt to develop the BLACKYAK version of ‘Silk Road’. BLACKYAK is taking aggressive measures to establish development processes and core capabilities that meet the global standard by entering Europe, the home of the outdoors market. It is implementing collaborative strategies to promptly make up for its weak points compared to local demands, such as adopting a product development strategy of applying high functionality to BLACKYAK’s differentiated designs and recruiting local marketers. This case study will analyze the core capabilities that enabled BLACKYAK’s global expansion as well as the limitations it must overcome, and research effective global expansion strategies in-depth based on the above.