48th Academy of International Business UK & Ireland Chapter Conference
14-16 April 2021, University of Greenwich, London
International Business: Mega Trends and the need of rethinking current
terminologies
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IMPORTANT DATES Paper submission opens: 24 December 2020 Submission deadline main conference: 1 February 2021 Submission deadline doctoral colloquium: 19 February 2021 Submission deadline Adam Smith Best Doctoral Dissertation Award: 19 February 2021 Registration of presenter(s) deadline: 26 March, 2021 Doctoral Colloquium: 14 April 2021 Main Conference: 15-16 April 2021 VENUE
University of Greenwich, London Online |
Paper submissions to the conference will be managed via COMS (conference management software). Proposals for panel session suggestions nonetheless should be submitted to the conference organisers (conference@aib-uk.org). These proposals should mention the title of the panel, the session format (e.g. roundtable, pro and con debate etc), names/ affiliations/ email addresses of panel participants, and overview of the main issues to be discussed in the panel. Click here to read the paper submission instructions Tracks and Chairs 1. Internationalisation of family firms Track Chairs: Tanja Leppäaho (LUT University) and Allan Discua Cruz (University of Lancaster) This track seeks submissions whose primary goal is to advance understanding of IB in family firms. Potential areas of exploration include internationalization process of family firms, international networking of family firms, and the role of family in internationalization. We also encourage papers that consider the implications of context in family firm internationalization. Submission can be a conceptual study or apply qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. 2. Emerging economies Track Chairs: Kevin Ibeh (Birkbeck, University of London) and Jose Godinez (UMass, Lowell, USA) The share of merging economies global GDP is rapidly increasing as well as the importance of firms headquartered in them. The emerging economies track seeks to attract empirical and theoretical papers that explore novel issues related to doing business in emerging economies. Firms operating and emanating in emerging economies have received increased attention from academics and practitioners. However, existing research still has not yet unpacked crucial factors that highlight how these firms operate in contexts deemed challenging. Thus, in this track we are interested in papers that seek to clarify to what extent firms operating or emanating from emerging markets utilize their resources to operate internationally despite the many challenges they face. Papers for this track can focus on analysing foreign direct investment trends and strategies for operating in emerging economies. Empirical papers exploring under-researched emerging markets are particularly encouraged. 3. SME internationalisation and International Entrepreneurship Track Chairs: Alfredo D’Angelo (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) and Margaret Fletcher (University of Glasgow) This track invites paper submissions in two broad categories of small firm internationalisation. (a) The first category of critical interest is the internationalisation of established SMEs connected to the why, what, where and how these firms on their own or in collaboration with other actors can address the challenges of doing business in foreign countries. Topics include but are not limited to the main reasons, barriers and support measures SMEs encounter as well as the process of market selection and entry modes (exporters and micromultinationals). (b) The second category of interest for this track is represented by newly established micro firms that have been able to address the adverse effects of smallness and newness in international markets. Topics include, but are not limited to, reasons and effects of early internationalisation. 4. Networks and internationalisation Track chairs: Bruce Cronin (University of Greenwich) and Sara Gorgoni (University of Greenwich) From the Uppsala School to the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group, Global Value Chain and Global Production Network approaches, networks have been a growing conceptual tool for the understanding of International Business. However, as Cuypers et al (2020) recently observed in a JIBS special issue, the concept has predominantly been used only metaphorically, despite the great capacity for formal network analysis to be deployed empirically. The internationalisation process, in particularly, is a promising arena for the empirical application of network concepts as international operations are necessarily structured in distinct but interrelated locations and activities with discernible empirical traces. The value of empirical investigation of these relationships is heightened by the growing economic and geopolitical significance of the embeddedness of international business in global value chains. To this end, this track takes up the calls of Cuypers et al (2020) and Kano et al. (2020) for empirical applications of network analysis to the internationalisation process. We welcome contributions drawing from the theories and methods of social network analysis, network science, complex networks and related empirical approaches. We are particularly interested in dynamic approaches that consider the internationalisation process. Topics may include, but are not restricted to: (a)Global value chains: Integration and dispersion across firms, subsidiaries and locations; centres of value creation and capture; (b) Global production networks: power and roles in production networks; (c) Inter-subsidiary networks in international business: resource transfer; autonomy and influence; (d) Inter-firm networks in international business: alliance structures and performance; resource transfer; (e) Inter-location networks in international business: structures and embeddedness; locational connectivity; regional network structures. 5. Research Methods in IB Track Chairs: Emmanuella Plakoyiannaki (University of Vienna) and Elizabeth Rose (University of Leeds) This track seeks submissions that aim at advancing IB research methods. It welcomes articles that challenge methodological conventions and reflect methodological diversity in the study of IB phenomena. Submissions can be from any topical area touching upon qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, as well as emic or etic approaches and techniques. Potential areas of exploration include ontological and epistemological issues in IB research; new advances in qualitative and quantitative research in IB; assessing quality and rigor of IB and cross-cultural comparative research. We also encourage papers that consider the implications of time and space in IB research design. 6. Pedagogy and teaching methods in IB Track Chairs: Denise Hawkes (University of Greenwich) and Maleeha Ashraf (University of Greenwich) International Business degrees stand at the forefront of international education, with internationally diverse students, equally diverse staff and an international curriculum at the heart of any programme of study. Working in international pedagogies brings both the joy and challenges in delivering the selected curriculum, assessments and learning designs work to a diverse student body with many different prior education experiences. Balancing the need to get all students and staff on the same cultural page as well as ensuring learning for all on a module in international business is at the core of our professional work. Whilst the field is sometimes challenging, it is always inspiring for those who engage in understanding better the international pedagogies they use to teach IB. We, therefore, make a call for papers in International Business Pedagogy for papers in the following areas: (a) IB Co-creation of Student Experience and Learning - How can we effectively enable the student voice in international settings with diverse student groups? (b) IB Pedagogy in the New Normal - What is worth keeping from our online and blended innovations as we return to campus? (c) IB Effective Inclusive Education – Could a move away from a deficit model to a strength model enable the scaffold for culturally sensitive and inclusive curriculum practices in IB (d) IB Assessment for Learning – What are the best application of international business pedagogies in developing assessment for learning? (e) IB Experiential learning – What are the most effective examples of learning outside of the classroom and the evidence of their value? (f) IB Evaluating Good Practice – As the sector increasing looks for us to evidence our good practice, what does this look like to make our learning transferable to others? 7. Global Strategy Track Chairs: Shameen Prashantham (CEIBS) and Veselina Stoyanova (University of Strathclyde) While prior research has focused extensively on benefits and challenges of Globalisation, a pandemic was rarely an agenda of IB scholars. Building upon the uncertain future of International Business in terms of FDIs, global value chains and international trade, Global Strategy track examines implications of mega trends on internationalization of MNCs, SMEs and State-Owned Enterprises. We invite submissions that offer counter-intuitive insights on extant theories and empirical approaches and challenge established terminologies in IB field. In particular, this theme is relevant to scholars who delve into international competitiveness of MNCs, impact of institutional environment on firm’s global or regional strategies, investment decisions, international entry modes, opportunities and risks in the changing face of globalization. It also welcomes papers that address headquarter‐subsidiary relationships cross-country differences, firm’s location decisions and cross-border strategies in an uncertain and volatile macro environment. 8. International Marketing Track Chairs: Constantinos N. Leonidou (University of Leeds) and Eva Mavroudi (University of Leeds) The international marketing track invites papers that focus on the marketing activities of MNEs, the analysis of marketing decisions and market-oriented strategies, and how these may affect the marketing performance of various firms and their ability to introduce new products and services to various markets. We also invite papers about both developed and emerging economies, with an emphasis on how the new products or services offered to consumers may differ between developed and emerging economies, how marketing overall might be affected, and how the economic performance, prospects and problems encountered in different countries might affect consumption, purchase intention, demand in these contexts and therefore overall marketing performance. Accordingly, the International Marketing track invites papers that address all issues and activities relevant to marketing across national and/or cultural boundaries. Topics addressing a range of marketing sub-fields with a global or cross-cultural focus, including consumer behaviour, marketing strategy, digital marketing, services marketing, marketing research, relationship marketing, inter-organizational relationships, new product development and innovation, brand management, export/import management, marketing communication, entrepreneurial marketing, distribution and logistics, and sustainability and CSR. 9. Innovation, Geography and IB Track Chairs: Marina Papanastassiou (University of Leeds) and Marianna Marra (University of Sussex) This track invites paper submissions that advance our understanding of the role of geographical locations and innovation in IB studies. Potential areas of exploration include but are not limited to: (a) the role of innovation in global production networks (GPNs) and Global Value Chains (GVCs); (b) Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) R&D and world city networks (WCNs); (c) the advancements in technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and their effect on firms’ management of innovation and international collaborative relations; (d) MNEs as networks of geographically dispersed R&D units and their orchestration of activities and knowledge sourced globally. Emphasis can be placed in the global sourcing of knowledge in the post- Covid19 competitive investment scene; (e) Sustainability, SDGs and global innovation strategies post-pandemic; (f) The role of emerging Asia in shaping global innovation networks; (g) Institutional distance and knowledge creation, the role of NGOs, philanthropy in shaping the global innovation landscape. Submission can be a conceptual study or apply qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. 10. International Human Resource Management Track Chairs: Washika Haak-Saheem (University of Reading) and Lena Langosch (University of Greenwich) This track invites submissions dealing with expatriation, multi-cultural teams, global talent management, cultural diversity and inclusion, digital platforms and IHRM which are all vital to the management of human resources within multinational firms. It also welcomes papers with a focus on HR activities such as recruitment and selection to training, performance management, compensation, retention as well as leadership development. Further, it seeks submissions that address grand societal challenges such as global migration and refugees, decent work, or effects of macroeconomic shocks (e.g., Covid-19). Submissions can apply qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods or be of conceptual nature. 11. Nonmarket strategy in International Business Track Chairs: Thomas Lawton (University College Cork, University of Surrey) and Vikrant Shirodkar (University of Sussex) Nonmarket strategy refers to the decisions and actions that firms take to improve or defend their organizational performance through managing the political, regulatory and societal context(s) in which they operate. These strategies encompass a variety of activities that include corporate political activities (such as lobbying or developing political connections) and corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives that are useful in gaining legitimacy and trust from a variety of stakeholders. MNEs face more complex issues when managing their political and social stakeholders due to the liability of foreignness they encounter when operating overseas. As such, this track invites papers that focus on nonmarket strategies adopted by MNEs in particular. Papers may focus on the unique antecedents or microfoundations of MNEs’ nonmarket strategies, as well as the impact on MNE configuration or performance, or on wider society and institutions in host markets. Conference Chair: Spiros Batas
Conference Committee Members: Denise Hawkes For conference related queries, please email: conference@aib-uk.org |