Track descriptions
1. Conference Theme:
That’s Interesting! Rethinking IB Research for the Next 50 Years
Rebecca Piekkari, Aalto University
Tiina Ritvala, Aalto University
Track Chairs
Rebecca Piekkari
Aalto University
Tiina Ritvala
Aalto University
Conference Theme: That’s Interesting! Rethinking IB Research for the Next 50 Years
This track is dedicated to the conference theme of rethinking IB research for the coming decades. In the spirit of Davis’ (1971) seminal article, we are looking for thought-provoking submissions that cross disciplinary boundaries, deny old “truths” and challenge taken-for-granted assumptions in our field.
Potential themes may include new forms of international cross-sector partnerships (e.g., industry transformations requiring massive investments by the public and private sectors such as the hydrogen economy); disruptive technologies (e.g., AI & big data); creativity in IB (e.g., aesthetics, imagination and innovative research methods); city-level research in IB (e.g., sustainable cities, creative cities); atypical research contexts in IB (art, museums & digital creative industries, space industry, social enterprises) as well as societal impact of IB research. We welcome provocative essays as well as more traditional papers that fall under the categories of conceptual, empirical or review papers.
We invite papers that push the boundaries of current thinking whether on traditional or more emerging topics in IB. We believe that rethinking IB research for the next 50 years has important implications not only for the kind of phenomena that we study but also for the multiple ways in which we go about studying these phenomena (e.g., research questions posed, theoretical approaches applied, inter-disciplinary and transdisciplinary research collaboration, paradigms, and methodologies in-use). Please, surprise us with your paper! If there is overlap with another track, we will coordinate with the other track chairs.
Keywords
cross-sector partnerships
disruptions
grand challenges
creativity
cities
context
societal impact
paradigm
discipline
trans(multi/cross-) disciplinary
2. International Entrepreneurship and
Internationalization Processes
Eriikka Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, University of Turku
Antonella Zucchella, University of Pavia
Track Chairs
Eriikka Paavilainen-Mäntymäki
University of Turku
Antonella Zucchella
University of Pavia
International Entrepreneurship and
Internationalization Processes
We invite papers that deal with SMEs internationalisation processes. These include: general issues; Comparative studies in entrepreneurship;
Internationalization of firms from and to emerging countries; Business model innovation and internationalization; Digital transformation and international entrepreneurship; Ethics and social responsibility in SMEs’ and new ventures’ internationalization; International growth and scaling in SMEs and entrepreneurial firms; International entrepreneurial agency, institutions, and policies; International entrepreneurship, changing business contexts and foresight.
We are also interested in manuscripts on International entrepreneurs that may cover the following issues: Characteristics of international entrepreneurs; The “new” international entrepreneurs; Gender and international entrepreneurship; Minorities and international entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurial teams; Cognition and cognitive biases; Decision making logics in entrepreneurial internationalization; Intergenerational entrepreneurship.
Another key topic is entrepreneurial internationalization processes, including: Framing international opportunities; Coping with liabilities in international growth; The role of networks; International market entry modes; The role of exports in internationalization processes; The role of joint ventures and alliances in internationalization processes; Operation mode combinations and switching; Inward entrepreneurial internationalization; Exit, re-entry and non-linear internationalization; The role of place, space and time in SME internationalization and international entrepreneurship.
We also welcome research on international entrepreneurship, more specifically: Corporate International entrepreneurship; Born global firms and international new ventures; Exploring other typologies of international entrepreneurial organizations; Family firm internationalization; Longevity and continuity in internationalizing firms.
Finally, potential themes may also deal with: Grand challenges and international entrepreneurship; Sustainable, responsible, and inclusive international entrepreneurship; Migration, mobility, and international entrepreneurship; Social international entrepreneurship; Circular and regenerative international entrepreneurship and their business models.
Keywords
New ventures and SMEs internationalization
International entrepreneurship
International entrepreneurs
Internationalization process
Entrepreneurial internationalisation
Born globals
International new ventures
International opportunity
Innovation and internationalization
Family SMEs and internationalization
Sustainable entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship
Business models
Scaling and international growth
Entrepreneurial behaviour
New entrepreneurs
3. Managing the MNC
Perttu Kähäri, Aalto University
Pamela Sharkey Scott, DCU Business School
Track Chairs
Perttu Kähäri
Aalto University
Pamela Sharkey Scott
DCU Business School
Managing the MNC
This track invites papers exploring how MNCs, and their leaders are responding to pressures on established ways of organising and leading due to changing dynamics of work practices, downsizing, and growing global tensions. We welcome submissions that adopt the perspective of the firm, headquarters, or subsidiaries, or take a multilevel or microfoundations approach. We are open to conceptual and empirical papers, and quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs. In light of the conference theme, we are particularly interested in papers offering a fresh understanding of traditional problems and debates in managing MNCs or opening a new avenue of research to address an emerging challenge in today’s turbulent economic and political landscapes.
Keywords
MNC management and organization
headquarters
subsidiaries
networks
MNC practices and processes
MNC structures
organizational change
knowledge management
4. Global Strategy and Global Value Chains
Rian Drogendijk, University of Groningen
Rudolf Sinkovics, University of Glasgow
Track Chairs
Rian Drogendijk
University of Groningen
Rudolf Sinkovics
University of Glasgow
Global Strategy and Global Value Chains
IB scholars have long been interested in the strategic aspects of organizing global value chains (GVCs) and decision making about global inter-firm networks. Recent shocks have made multinational companies reconsider their exposure to geopolitical and supply-chain risks, leading them to look for new ways to organize themselves. We are looking for submissions that explore the impact of pandemics, international conflicts, and other geopolitical challenges on firm strategies, how they organize their GVCs and international collaborations. Are firms scaling back to regional value chains instead of globally dispersed value chains, relying on local strategic partners? How do they translate political considerations and shift strategically towards GVC reconfiguration? What are the implications of advanced technologies on GVCs and what are the implications of sustainability and SDG considerations on GVCs? We welcome papers dealing with, among others, the following topics: Efficiency versus resilience in GVCs; GVC management and international strategy; International strategic alliances and inter-firm networks, management and dissolution; Adaptation of network positioning because of war and/or political tension; Institutional factors’ effect on GVC management; GVC security and risks; Logistics and GVC; MNEs as GVC lead firms or networks orchestrators; Governance and upgrading in GVCs and networks; The GVC as a nexus of contracts; Innovation and AI in GVCs and inter-firm networks; Ethical, diversity and gender issues in GVCs and inter-firm networks
Keywords
Global value chains
Global production networks
Global operations
Global sourcing
Offshoring
Relocation of production
Reshoring and backshoring
Disaggregation of value chains
Governance and upgrading in international value chains
Organization of international operations
International strategic alliances
Cooperative arrangements in international strategy
Diversity and gender issues in international value chains and inter-firm networks.
5. International Marketing
Olli Kuivalainen, LUT University
Matthew Robson, Cardiff University
Track Chairs
Olli Kuivalainen
LUT University
Matthew Robson
Cardiff University
International Marketing
This track is based on research about firms’ international marketing (IM) practices. While most growth opportunities for firms of all types exist overseas, the international setting has faced headwinds that pose significant challenges for firms. These challenges include changing strategies to embrace the digitalization trend; following increasing customer and governmental demands to incorporate sustainable practices; protecting against geopolitics and the rise of nationalistic and populistic consumer movements and trade barriers; and responding to international incidents such as pandemics or wars.
The track focuses on themes including, but not limited to: Standardisation versus adaptation in IM strategies. IM in the era of misinformation. Marketing to brand communities across borders. Risk and distance in international market selection. Exporting and franchising relationships and networks. The orchestration of modern IM capabilities. Market information and analytics to drive agile IM decisions. Country-of-origin influences and biases. IM for protectionist and hostile market conditions. Consumer animosity in critical situations (pandemics, wars). Consumer wellbeing positioning in a global world. Scaling and organizing IM activities. The IM of luxury goods. Digitalization and market entry and penetration. The global challenges of servitization.
Keywords
International marketing practices
Standardization/adaptation
International marketing entry/exit modes
Exporting and franchising relationships
Digital international marketing
International marketing in challenging times
International marketing agility
Country-of-origin effects
Populism/nationalism
International marketing in emerging markets
De- and re-globalization.
6. International Finance, Accounting and
Corporate Governance
Bruce Hearn, University of Southampton
Chris Jones, Aston University
Track Chairs
Bruce Hearn
University of Southampton
Chris Jones
Aston University
International Finance, Accounting, and Corporate Governance
Finance is both an antecedent and a consequence of internationalization. Firms require financial capital to venture abroad (e.g., lenders, equity investors) and venturing abroad entails financial consequences (e.g., exchange rate risk, cost of capital, diversification). Consequently, successful international business requires a fit between financial (e.g., hedging, capital structure, governance) and operational strategies (e.g., entry modes, non-market strategies).
This track invites interdisciplinary, theoretical, and empirical contributions combining finance and IB. Such topics traditionally include: Governance and international finance (e.g., risk behaviour, agency cost); Institutional context and international finance (e.g., liability of foreignness in capital markets, local financial context, capital market development, legitimacy, isomorphism, micro-lending); International capital structure and internal capital markets (e.g., diversification, international transfer pricing, arbitrage, taxation); Ownership effects on internationalization (e.g., family ownership, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, venture capital, private equity); Financial risk management in internationalization (e.g., hedging, trade finance, risk reporting); International strategic finance (e.g., listing location, location specific financial advantages, project finance, syndication, M&A); Firm level issues in financing internationalization (e.g., SMEs, MNEs, EMNEs, born globals, export finance and FDI finance, joint ventures); Integrating IB and Finance theories (e.g., TCE, RBV, OLI, real options, agency and institutional theory); challenges of digital finance for international firms; the use of Offshore Financial Centres to conduct International Business (e.g. The use of tax havens); and the role of international banking on firm financing decisions.
Most importantly and most recently, the changing global power balance has led to the emergence of new, practically relevant research questions at the intersection of IB and Finance (e.g., the effect of international sanctions and countersanctions targeted at MNEs and MNE employees, global protectionism and economic disintegration on financial markets and firms’ financial operations as well as the role of finance in decoupling).
Keywords
Corporate governance
Capital structure
Risk
Venture capital
Private equity
Financial reporting
Project financing
Digital finance
Behavioural finance
Cost of capital
Stock price
Taxation Policy
7. International HRM, Cross-cultural Issues and
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Alexei Koveshnikov, Aalto University
Sebastian Reiche, University of Navarra (IESE Business school)
Track Chairs
Alexei Koveshnikov
Aalto University
Sebastian Reiche
University of Navarra (IESE Business school)
International HRM, Cross-cultural Issues and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
This track invites submissions on recent developments and key future issues for the management of people in global organizations. This involves the entire range of international HRM activities from selection and recruitment to training, performance management, compensation, and retention of global professionals, including (but not limited to) corporate expatriates, self-initiated expatriates, international business travelers, migrants, and global leaders. We are also interested in papers examining the challenges of leaders and members in global, virtual, and multicultural teams, as well as the role of culture and language in IB more generally.
We encourage submissions exploring people management issues amidst geopolitical turbulence, the importance of international HRM for addressing society’s grand challenges, and the implications of a changing world of work for international HRM. Submissions on how HRM practices support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in organizations across cultures, people management challenges related to disruptive technologies like generative AI, the impact of HRM practices on employee well-being or corporate sustainability programs are also welcome.
Submitted papers may focus on the individual, team, or organizational levels of analysis. We consider theoretical advances supported by empirical studies—whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method in nature—as well as purely conceptual papers and literature reviews that push the boundaries of international HRM. We are particularly interested in submissions that allow scholars, managers, and policy makers to reimagine the future of global people management.
Keywords
Cross-cultural communication and management
Diversity management
Expatriate management
Global leadership
Global work arrangements
Global talent management
Global teams
International HRM
Language in international business
Migration
National cultures
Work design.
8. Digitalization, Innovation and Technology
Philip Kappen, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Arto Ojala, University of Vaasa
Track Chairs
Philip Kappen
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Arto Ojala
University of Vaasa
Digitalization, Innovation, and Technology
The ever-evolving landscape of new technologies and digital innovations is revolutionizing global operations for businesses. Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, extended reality, 5G, and the imminent 6G technologies, along with satellite-based data, present novel opportunities. These advancements empower improvements in existing products and services, enable the creation of entirely new offerings and offer novel avenues for entering foreign markets.
It is axiomatic that these transformative changes impact firms across all sizes and industries. However, the way firms navigate these changes can vary significantly. Small and entrepreneurial firms possess the agility to swiftly develop innovative solutions for global markets using digital technologies to their advantage. However, the resource constraints they often face can create various bottlenecks hindering their global commercialization efforts.
For established multinational enterprises (MNEs), unique knowledge and proprietary innovations are key to the competitive advantages on which they are typically expected to base their initial international expansion. These capable and resourceful entities can leverage expansive internal and external networks, encompassing diverse subsidiaries, suppliers, partners, inventors, and collaborators across international boundaries, representing unique reservoirs of specialized knowledge. MNEs not only harness their globally dispersed organizational structures to source and integrate knowledge worldwide but also facilitate knowledge transfer across multiple locations. This wealth of knowledge serves as a catalyst for developing technological innovations worldwide.
This track invites papers focusing on how firms innovate new products and services for international markets. Additionally, we seek insights into how these firms leverage new technologies for global expansion and rapid internationalization. Aligned with the conference theme, we encourage authors to contemplate the transformative impact of new technologies, digitalization, and innovations on the international business landscape. Moreover, we look for papers to explore the application of existing international business theories in the evolving landscape. As new technologies distinctly reshape the ways through which firms internationalize, they challenge our current conceptualizations of international business. As the conference’s theme provokes the thought, ‘That’s interesting!’, we might need to rethink how established theories can adapt to and illuminate the transforming dynamics of the contemporary international business environment.
Keywords
Characteristics of digitalization
Internationalization of R&D and innovation
Technology and innovation management
Digital artifacts
Satellite-based data
International innovation networks
Cross-border knowledge sourcing and transfer
Green innovation/eco-innovation/environmental innovation and internationalization
International innovation networks
9. Institutions, Policy and Global Politics
Axele Giroud, University of Manchester
Sarianna Lundan, Aalto University
Track Chairs
Axele Giroud
University of Manchester
Sarianna Lundan
University of Bremen
Institutions, Policy, and Global Politics
We welcome manuscripts that deal with the following broad themes and related questions: How institutions and policies affect firms and their strategies. How do firms manage political risks, regulatory uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and disruptions at national, regional, and global levels (e.g., through location strategies, divestment strategies, entry mode strategies, and building corporate resilience)? How do evolving institutions and policies drive firms’ sustainability strategies (e.g., impact of the EU green deal and taxonomy, Inflation Reduction Act, supply chain due diligence regulation…)? How do trade and investment related incentives and subsidies drive responsible business activities (e.g., green innovation)?
We are also interested in papers that tackle: How firms shape and influence institutions, regulations, and policies. What role do firms play in shaping complex institutional environments and government policies? Why and how do firms use non-market strategies, corporate political activity, corporate diplomacy, negotiation, and influence strategies to build competitive advantages? Do firms’ political strategies help local actors find solutions to social, economic, political, and environmental challenges? How do these strategies and outcomes differ between developed and developing countries?
Possible themes may deal with interdependence and partnerships between public and private sector actors: How do firms employ multi-stakeholder partnerships to overcome complex sustainability challenges? Which stakeholders (e.g., civil society, policy makers at local/regional/national levels, supra-national organisations) are salient in different institutional environments? When and how do multi-stakeholder partnerships influence the supply chain activities of firms? How to achieve sustainability goals in infrastructure projects through PPPs? How can public and private sector actors engage in partnerships to de-risk investment projects?
Keywords
International business policy
government policy
regulatory environment
institutional environment
institutional voids
institutional change
levels of governance
regional (dis)integration
cross-border trade and investment policies
subsidies and incentives
nonmarket strategy
corporate political activity
geopolitical risks
multi-stakeholder partnerships
SDGs
green transition
digital transformation
10. Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Valentina Di Marchi, ESADE Business School
Jennifer Oetzel, American University (WA)
Track Chairs
Valentina Di Marchi
ESADE Business School
Jennifer Oetzel
American University (WA)
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Environmental and social crises pose important challenges for MNEs and, at the same time, calls MNEs to play a more active role to effectively drive sustainable development.
We are particularly looking for manuscripts that answer some of the following questions: How are MNEs affected by climate crises? What are the main drivers and barriers for MNEs to address gender, diversity, and inclusion issues? What are the main challenges for MNEs in integrating sustainability concerns along their global value chains? How are MNEs mitigating and adapting to climate change? How are MNEs addressing the tensions emerging among economic and environmental or social issues when addressing the SDGs? What motivates policy-practices or means-ends decoupling in MNEs implementation of SDGs-oriented strategies? What forms of partnership might support the achievement of sustainable development goals? How do institutional conditions impact sustainable development trajectories? How will MNEs be able to cope with the need for alignment with home-country policies in a troubled international environment? To what extent should there be local adaptation of CSR principles in a globalized world? What conditions support MNEs to play an ‘activist’ role in society in driving the achievement of sustainable development? What are the ethical implications for MNEs activities and how to overcome an instrumental perspective on CSR activities of MNEs?
Keywords
Corporate social responsibility
Sustainability
Ethics
Gender
Diversity
Inclusion
Tensions
Sustainable development goals
Multi-stakeholders’ initiative
MNEs misbehaviour
Inequalities
Social entrepreneurship
Grand challenges
Corporate political activity
Adaptive strategies
11. Emerging Markets
Bersant Hobdari, Copenhagen Business School
Leigh Anne Liu, Georgia State University
Track Chairs
Bersant Hobdari
Copenhagen Business School
Leigh Anne Liu
Georgia State University
Emerging Markets
In the last 50 years, international business (IB) research has increasingly studied emerging markets (EM), stimulating new perspectives. This research explores a variety of topics, from firm internationalization to cultural influences in EMs. Recent global transformations, technological advances, and geopolitical tensions necessitate innovative strategies, potentially originating from advanced and EMs. This necessitates deeper understanding of strategies to navigate this complex environment.
In this track, we invite multidisciplinary papers exploring the impact of macroeconomic, institutional, geopolitical, trade, innovation, and technology dynamics on business in EMs. We also encourage studies on practices of multinationals from EMs. Topics may include:
– Relevance of the ‘Emerging markets’ label today.
– Opportunities and challenges of EMs as investment locations.
– Roles of EMs in international value chains.
– Unique business models in EMs.
– Digitalization and industry transformation impacts in EMs.
– Institutional issues and political activity in EMs.
– Nationalistic drives and government roles in EMs.
– Foreign direct investment (FDI) into and from EMs.
– EMs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues in EMs.
– Comparative analysis of IB issues across EMs.
– Development of IB theory for EMs
Keywords
Global comparative dynamics
trade agreements
ethics across cultures
organizational power across regions and cultures
internationalization of EM firms
institutional environment in EMs
FDI in and out of EMs
corporate political activity in EMs
EM state-owned enterprises
the role of governments
geopolitics and intergovernmental pressures in EMs
competitive (dis)advantages of EM firms
EM firms under economic sanctions
SDGs in EMs
beyond BRICS
12. Teaching and Education in IB
Margaret Fletcher, University of Glasgow
Ausrine Silenskyte, University of Vaasa
Track Chairs
Margaret Fletcher
University of Glasgow
Ausrine Silenskyte
University of Vaasa
Teaching and Education in IB
This track invites submissions of research and scholarship papers, teaching cases with teaching notes, panels and interactive session proposals that focus on innovations and best practices in teaching international business (IB) and IB education. The submissions to this track may concern various aspects of teaching and education at individual (educator or student) level, classroom settings and activities, programme level issue or curricula elements and their development, or realities of higher education institutions, among others.
We are particularly looking for the innovative contributions that aim at addressing grand challenges through impactful business education. The themes of the submissions may include, but are not limited to: addressing simultaneously all three (environmental, social, and economic) dimensions of sustainability and incorporating United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in business curriculum; addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the educational experiences and materials; fostering a responsible use of technology in and through the IB education; utilizing cross-disciplinary and cross-organizational settings in IB education; IB education in the context of military conflicts, wars, political unrests, political or ideological polarization.
Keywords
IB curriculum research and development
Multi-lingual and multi-cultural settings
Innovative educational practices
Technology in the IB education
Competencies for teaching IB
Future of IB education
Education for Diversity
Equity
Inclusion
and Belonging (DEIB)
Sustainability
Grand challenges and SDGs
New trends in IB teaching research
Teaching in crisis
13. Research Methods and Theorizing in IB
Jelena Cerar, WU Vienna
Fiona Moore, Royal Holloway University of London
Track Chairs
Jelena Cerar
WU Vienna
Fiona Moore
Royal Holloway University of London
Research Methods and Theorizing in IB
This track delves into the intricate role of research methods in advancing International Business (IB) research, actively engaging with the conference theme “That’s interesting!” and looking forward to the next 50 years of IB research. We invite contributions that explore, challenge, innovate, and enrich the pivotal role that research methods play in advancing IB scholarship, and explore the intersection of research methods and theorizing within the IB context. Additionally, we encourage submissions that integrate technological advances, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) techniques, Natural Language Processing (NLP), virtual reality, and advanced data visualization tools, and connect them to the broader landscape of research methods and theorizing in the IB field. We welcome contributions that criticize current methodological approaches, advocate for novel applications of existing methods, develop new innovative methods, explore interdisciplinary applications of methods and triangulation, promote trustworthiness in IB findings, address the contextualization of research methods in the IB field, scrutinize current theorizing approaches, and showcase the reliable, trustworthy, and transparent use of methods and theory development.
Keywords
Research Methods
Research Design
Theorizing
Reliability
Transparency
Replicability
Trustworthiness
Methodological Innovation
Interdisciplinary Research
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
Mixed Methods
Case Study
Ethnography
Interviews
Surveys
Experiments
Meta-analysis
Triangulation
Analytical Rigor
Methodological Rigor
AI
Machine Learning
NLP
Virtual Reality
Data Visualization Tools
