A COMMENT ON JOSEPH BOWING' DUAL COMPETITIVE THEORY Xiao Lian（113） Unlike traditional theories of competition which see competition occurring among identical firms, Bowing's dual competitive theory divides firms into core firms and periphery firms on the basis of their scales and market shares. Correspondingly, market competition occurs at two levels. Bowing's theory represents a development of traditional theories and is closer to economic reality. Still, with respect to the synergism of competition, the theory has neither raised nor solved the important questions regarding scientific methodology.