The New Frontiers of International Business: Development, Evolving Topics, and Implications for Practice

Contents
Looking Beyond the Frontiers of Conventional International Business Research: Exploring Opportunities and Making a (Small, But...
1 Reflections on International Business´ Current and Future Agenda
2 Pollinating Inter-disciplinary Thinking in International Business
3 The Societal Role of International Business and Academia
4 Some Concluding Thoughts
Part I: Enriching International Business Research Agenda
The Full Canvas: Exploring the Bright and Dark Sides of International Business Strategy
1 Introduction
2 Digital Globalization and the MNE
2.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of Digital Globalization
2.2 The Dark Side Challenges of Digital Globalization
2.3 Summary
3 Headquarters-Subsidiary Relationships and the Tyranny of the Back Office
3.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of HQ Involvement in Subsidiary Initiatives
3.2 The Dark Side Challenges of HQ Involvement in Subsidiary Initiatives
3.3 Summary
4 Cultural Diversity and Global Teams
4.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of Cultural Diversity
4.2 The Dark Side of Cultural Diversity
4.3 Summary
5 New Forms of Nationalism
5.1 The Dark Side of New Forms of Nationalism
5.2 The Bright Side Opportunities of the Interconnected World
5.3 Summary
6 External Disruptions and Risk Mitigation in GVCs
6.1 The Dark Side Challenges of External Disruptions in GVCs
6.2 The Bright Side Opportunities of Risk Mitigation in GVCs
6.3 Summary
7 The Role of Boards in Firm Governance
7.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of Board Monitoring
7.2 The Dark Side Challenges of Board Monitoring and the Case for Alternative Board Functions
7.3 Summary
8 ESG Expectations and the Role of Private Equity
8.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of ESG Pressures on the MNE
8.2 The Dark Side Challenges of ESG Pressures on MNE and the Case for Private Equity
8.3 Summary
9 Global Innovation Ecosystem and Institutional Fracture
9.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of the Global Innovation Ecosystem
9.2 The Dark Side Challenges of a Bifurcated Global System
9.3 Summary
10 Contemporary CSR Expectations and Approaches
10.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of the Core CSR Approach
10.2 The Dark Side Challenges of the Core CSR Approach and the Case for Peripheral CSR
10.3 Summary
11 International Business and the Fight Against Climate Change
11.1 The Bright Side Opportunities of the Long-Term Energy Transition
11.2 The Dark Side Challenges of the Long-Term Energy Transition
11.3 Summary
12 Conclusion
References
Emerging Research Themes in International Business
1 Introduction
2 Method: Content Analysis of Special Issue Calls
3 Emerging Research Themes
3.1 Internationalization
3.2 Innovation
3.3 Entrepreneurship
3.4 Emerging Economies and Firms
3.5 Digital Technologies and New Business Models
3.6 Institutions, Culture, and IB
3.7 Other Emerging Themes
4 Conclusion
References
The Lingering Effect of Slavery and Colonial History on International Business: The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa
1 Introduction
2 Historical Context of SSA
3 Overview of Contemporary SSA
4 Legacies of Slavery and Colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa
4.1 Research Theme 1: The Interplay of Historical, Colonial, and Emerging Institutions
4.2 Research Theme 2: The Search for Redress
4.3 Research Theme 3: Managing Local Relationships
4.4 Research Theme 4: Remittances as Key in International Business
5 Future Trends and Prospects
References
IB Research Opportunities in Central Asia
1 Introduction
2 Kazakhstan: Brief Historical and Macroeconomic Overview
2.1 State-Led Modernization, Resource Booms, and a New Capital City
2.2 Macroeconomic Overview
2.3 Trends in Inward and Outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
2.4 The Business Environment in Kazakhstan
3 Air Astana
3.1 Scope of Operations: To Make or Buy Maintenance Services
3.2 Internationalization: Local Value Addition in Global Value Chain
3.2.1 Firm Level: Capability Gaps
3.2.2 Industry Dynamics, Competition, and Location Challenges
3.2.3 Institutional Friction
4 BI Holding
4.1 Scope of Operations: Dominating the Domestic Market
4.2 Internationalization: Home Advantages Do Not Transfer Easily
4.2.1 Georgia
4.2.2 Russia
4.2.3 Saudi Arabia
4.2.4 Uzbekistan
5 KazMunayGas (KMG)
5.1 Scope of Operations
5.2 Internationalization: Acquisition of Rompetrol Group
6 Discussion
6.1 Internationalization of Kazakh Firms: Motives, Location Choice, and Entry Modes
6.1.1 Motives for Internationalization
6.1.2 Location Choice
6.1.3 Entry Modes of Kazakh Firms
6.2 Central Asia: Opportunities for Advancing IB Research
6.3 Doing Organizational Research in Central Asia: Tales from the Field in Kazakhstan
7 Conclusion
References
IB Research Opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa
1 Middle East North Africa Region
2 MENA as a Heterogeneous Region of Study
2.1 Nonmarket Studies
2.2 MENA and Conflict
2.3 Sustainable Development Studies
2.4 Products Conforming to Islam
3 Conclusion
References
The Relevance Problem of International Business Research
1 Relevance as a Matter of Perspective
2 Some Examples of IB´sLoss of Practical Relevance
3 IB Research as a Closed System? A Plea for a More Intensive Look Beyond the Borderlines
4 The Basic Relevance Problem of Journals (and Potential Authors) in the Context of Submissions
5 Summary: What To Do?
References
Part II: Inter-Disciplinary Topics for International Business Research
International Business Policy: A Primer
1 Introduction
2 Defining International Business Policy
3 Addressing Societal Challenges
4 Shaping International Business
4.1 Transformative Power of International Business
4.2 Power of Public Authorities to Shape International Business
5 Government-Directed Actions
5.1 Facilitator
5.2 Regulator
5.3 Producer
5.4 Buyer
6 A Roadmap for International Business Policy
References
Digitization and Implications for (International) Business
1 Introduction
1.1 Digitalization: What Does It Mean?
1.2 Impact on Policymaking
2 The Digital Revolution
2.1 Characteristics of Being Digital
3 Digital Technologies and Their Implications for Businesses
3.1 Current Technologies
3.1.1 ERM and CRM
3.1.2 RPA
3.1.3 Big Data/Business Intelligence and Cloud Computing
3.1.4 E-commerce and Digital Payments
3.2 Emerging Technologies
3.2.1 IoT
3.2.2 Blockchain and Smart Contracts
3.2.3 Artificial Intelligence
3.2.4 Platforms
3.2.5 Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality
3.2.6 3D Printing
4 Digitally Driven Business and Operating Models
4.1 Business Model Redesign: Creating Value
4.2 Operating Model Redesign: Capturing Value
4.3 Digital Transformation Strategies
5 The Data Ecosystem and Impact on Society and Policymakers
5.1 Consumer Implications
5.1.1 Privacy and Freedom
5.1.2 Loss of Employment
5.1.3 Pressure on Wages
5.1.4 Loss of Security
5.2 Economic and Societal Implications
5.2.1 Competition Policy
5.2.2 International Trade Policy
5.2.3 Taxation and Social Security
5.2.4 Inequality
5.2.5 Data Monoliths and Potential for Social Biases
5.2.6 Loss of Control and Manipulation
Effects of Emerging Technologies on International Business
1 Background
2 The Emerging Technologies
2.1 Big Data
2.2 Analytics
2.3 Blockchain
2.4 5G
2.5 Internet of Things (IoT)
2.6 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
2.7 Robotics
2.8 Additive Manufacturing (AM)
2.9 Digital Platforms
3 Discussion and Implications
3.1 Theoretical Implications
3.2 Practical Implications
3.3 Implementing Strategy
3.4 Conclusion
References
The Future of Global Work: Challenges and Recommendations for Global Virtual Teamwork
1 Introduction
2 The Main Dimensions of Global Virtual Teamwork
2.1 Dispersion
2.2 Temporality
2.3 Diversity
2.4 Location
2.5 Technological Context
2.6 Type of Technology
2.7 Value of Technology
3 The Future of GVT Research and Practice
3.1 Developing Global Virtual Teamwork Specific Forms of Intelligence
3.2 Developing Cultural Intelligence
3.3 Developing Virtual Intelligence
3.4 New and Emerging Technologies in the Virtual Team Context
3.5 Well-Being at Work
4 Conclusion
References
Location Flexibility in Global Supply Chains: The Efficiency-Imitability Tradeoff and Sustained Competitive Advantage
1 Introduction
2 Prior Flexibility Research: Insights and Limitations
3 Three Modes of Location Flexibility in Global Supply Chains
3.1 Provision and Use of Inputs That Are Standardized Across Firms and Countries
3.2 Provision and Use of Firm-Specific Inputs That Are Replicated Across Countries
3.3 Provision and Use of Unique and Rare Inputs That Are Mobile Across Countries
4 Assumptions About the Efficiency-Imitability Tradeoff
4.1 The Efficiency-Imitability Tradeoff When Using Standardized Inputs
4.2 The Efficiency-Imitability Tradeoff When Using Replicated Resources
4.3 The Efficiency-Imitability Tradeoff When Using Mobile Resources
5 Location Flexibility to Sustain Competitive Advantage: Implications for Managers and Some Propositions
5.1 Use of Standardized Tasks and Processes to Sustain Competitive Advantage
5.2 Use of Replicated and Mobile Resources to Sustain Competitive Advantage
5.3 Combined Use of the Three Modes to Sustain Competitive Advantage in Global Sourcing
6 Conclusion and Further Research Avenues
6.1 Conclusions and Contributions
6.2 Avenues for Future Research
References
Emerging Non-market Risk in International Business
1 Introduction
2 Types and Characteristics of Non-market Risk Events
2.1 Types of Non-market Risk Based on Causes
2.2 Impact of NTPS Risks
2.3 Characteristics of NTPS Risks
3 Determinants of MNE Awareness, Preparedness, and Response
4 Future Research Agendas and Conclusion
5 Conclusion
References
The Future of Multinational Enterprises: An Optimist´s View
1 A Fast-Changing Business World?
2 Changes in the Fortune 500 and Global 500
3 What to Make of this Data? Some Observations
4 MNEs as Bastions of Stability
5 The Yin and Yang of Progress
References
Part III: International Business´ Broader Societal Role
Multinational Enterprises and the Circular Economy
1 Introduction
2 The Building Blocks of Business Systems
3 Differences Between Circular and Linear Systems
4 MNEs and Approaches to Circularity
4.1 Corporate and Contextual Influences on CE Strategies
4.2 The Geographical Scope of CE
5 Concluding Remarks
References
MNEs and United Nations´ Sustainable Development Goals
1 Introduction
2 The Role of MNES
2.1 17 SDGs and the Role of MNEs
2.2 Bigger than the Sum: Interconnections and Mutually Reinforcing Effects of SDGs
3 Looking to the Future in a Realistic Way
4 Conclusion
References
The Cultural Mosaic of Corporate Social Responsibility: MNEs´ Role in Attaining Sustainable Development Goals
1 Introduction
2 Literature Review
2.1 MNEs´ Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies
2.2 Societal Expectations of Corporate Social Responsibility in Different Cultures
2.3 Sustainable Development Goals and National Cultures
3 MNE´s Role in Implementing Localized CSR and Contributing to SDGs
3.1 Industry Competitive Dynamic
3.2 Host Country CSR Expectations
3.3 Subsidiary Management of MNEs´ CSR Strategy in a Focal Subsidiary
4 Conclusions
4.1 Limitations and Future Avenues for Research
References
Institutionalization of MNEs´ Sustainability Reporting: Progressing Toward the United National Sustainable Development Goals
1 Introduction
2 Sustainability and the UN SDGs
3 Sustainability Reporting and MNEs
4 Ethics, CSR, and MNEs
4.1 Shell in Nigeria
4.2 The Rana Plaza Accident in Bangladesh
4.3 Nike´s Use of Child Labor
5 Conclusion
References
Foreign Direct Investment and Human Development
1 Past Literature
1.1 FDI Spillovers and Host-Country Productivity
1.2 FDI and Host-Country Socioeconomic Development
1.3 The Role of Human Development
2 FDI and Human Development
2.1 Benefits of FDI for Human Development
2.2 Costs of FDI for Human Development
2.3 The ``Net´´ Effect of FDI on Human Development
3 FDI, Host-Country Institutions, and Human Development
4 Data and Methodology
4.1 Data and Sample
4.2 Measures
4.3 Methodology
5 Results
5.1 Main Results
5.2 Additional Analyses
6 Discussion
6.1 Reverse Causality: Does FDI Follow HDI Instead?
6.2 Policy Implications
7 Limitations and Future Research
References
History and Future of Migration in International Business: From River to Tidal Flows
1 Who Is a Migrant?
2 Current Theoretical Approach to Migration in IB
3 Tidal Flows: A New Metaphor
4 How We Reviewed the Literature
5 Findings
5.1 Flows of Social Ties
5.2 Flows of Capital
5.3 Flows of Knowledge
5.4 Flows of Innovation
6 Conclusion: A New Metaphor Reveals What We Missed and How to Make Waves in the Future
References
IEDC and CEEMAN: A Historical Response to the Societal Role of Business Schools
1 Introduction
2 IEDC: Education and Research with Impact
3 CEEMAN, the Management Development Association in Central and Eastern Europe
4 Conclusions and Recommendations
4.1 What Lessons Can We Learn from the IEDC-CEEMAN Case?
References