Adam Smith’s theory of knowledge and international business theory and practice

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that Adam Smith’s insights and reasoning can improve the theory of international business, and shed light on its academic practices. Smith was a system builder; his theory of knowledge underpinned his entire oeuvre, and understanding his systematic approach can help current international business to achieve a similarly coherent body of theory. Smith’s approach sheds direct light on decision-making in multinational enterprises, and on cultural distance (the “liability of foreignness”). Combining these two areas yields new Smithian insights into multinational enterprises from emerging countries.