unkompetitif

Unkompetitif is an adjective used in Indonesian and Malay-language contexts to describe something that lacks competitiveness. It can refer to a market, a company, or a product that is unable to compete effectively in terms of price, quality, innovation, distribution, or scale.

The term is a loanword formed from the English prefix un- and the Indonesian word kompetitif (competitive). It is commonly written as a single word and appears in business journalism, economics texts, and policy discussions as an anglicism or calque.

In economics, an unkompetitif market typically features few participants, high barriers to entry, and market power concentrated in a limited number of firms. This can lead to higher prices, reduced consumer choice, slower innovation, and an inefficient allocation of resources. In business discourse, a product or firm may be described as unkompetitif if it lacks a clear value proposition, pricing advantages, or scalable operations. The term is relative and contextual rather than an absolute judgment, and it is often contrasted with competitive or highly competitive conditions.

Critically, the use of unkompetitif highlights concerns about market dynamics and governance. Proponents of greater competition argue for policy measures to reduce entry barriers, enhance transparency, and promote innovation, while others may view the term as dependent on market context and performance benchmarks.

See also: competition, market structure, monopoly, oligopoly, competitive advantage.