Global Business Research Articles

Navigating the Paradoxes of Real-Time Leadership

Abstract: This article examines the challenges of real-time leadership in today's fast-paced global business environment. Real-time leadership requires making decisions quickly with imperfect information, adapting plans on the fly, and motivating teams amid uncertainty. However, human cognition and organizational structures often inhibit real-time agility. Cognitive biases, limited working memory, and dual-processing systems make objective analysis difficult under pressure. Additionally, siloed functions, bureaucracy, and risk-averse cultures constrain flexibility and dynamism. The article explores these barriers and provides strategies for developing mental, structural, and compassionate capabilities to overcome them. It analyzes examples of effective and ineffective real-time leadership responses to COVID-19. The conclusion emphasizes that while real-time leadership will always pose difficulties, focused development in key areas can enhance adaptability during crises.

Book Reviews

Baojing Deng reviews Yasuyuki, Motoyamam (2019) From Innovation to Entrepreneurship Connectivity-based Regional Development. Bryan Khoo reviews Calder, K.E. (2021) Global Political Cities: Actors and Arenas of Influence in International Affair. Stephanie Bilderback reviews Donahue, Wesley E (2023) Learning to Lead People Effectively in Global Business Situations: A Competency-Based Approach Integrating External Awareness and Industry-Wide Product.

Looking beyond disruption to build agile and resilient supply chains for the future

The events of recent years, ranging from geopolitical tensions and global health events to labour shortages and economic crises, have highlighted significant vulnerabilities within global supply chains and emphasised the need for agility and resilience. Recent studies referenced in this paper, including the ‘Global Business Optimism Insights’ report, underscore that while large businesses tend to prioritise strengthening their supply chains, smaller businesses are often more focused on customer base expansion, potentially risking operational robustness. This approach could jeopardise customer satisfaction due to failures in meeting on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery metrics, leading to potential financial penalties and customer dissatisfaction. With that in mind, this paper aims to help supply chain organisations understand how they can obtain the agility and resilience needed to weather ongoing disruption and futureproof their operations. It provides recommendations on how this can be achieved, pointing to access to trusted, real-time data across the supply chain network as a critical component. The paper also identifies, however, that many supply chain businesses struggle to obtain this access to data for rapid and informed decision making. Research from InterSystems finds that this data challenge is further complicated by a lack of end-to-end supply chain visibility, which is often exacerbated by data silos created by disparate systems and manual processes. These visibility challenges negatively affect key performance indicators such as OTIF metrics and restrict an organisation’s ability to adapt to disruptions swiftly. The paper explores how supply chain organisations can overcome these difficulties, identifying investment in digital supply chain technologies such as decision intelligence platforms as a way in which they can bridge the real-time execution gap and enable supply chain leaders to optimise processes. These platforms integrate real-time data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance visibility, decision making and operational efficiency. The paper draws the conclusion that building resilient, future-proof supply chains is crucial for organisations to manage disruptions and capitalise on opportunities effectively. In the wake of ongoing disruption, the paper aims to demonstrate that by adopting the right technological solutions and embracing a cultural shift to data-driven operations, supply chains can transform to better withstand future challenges and move their organisation forward, thus ensuring sustained growth and enhanced customer loyalty.

Transforming Higher Education: Empowering Learning through Artificial Intelligence

In the era of Industry 4.0, global businesses and the education sector are increasingly embracing digital tools and AI to drive personalized learning and equity. As universities expand their global reach, AI-based tools are transforming higher education, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences. This study focuses on faculty awareness and the impact of AI on work engagement among educators, aiming to uncover how AI shapes the future of education and fosters innovation in teaching practices.

Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience: the Impact of Blockchain & Emerging Technologies on Traceability

Supply chain traceability is an invaluable tool for companies to gain a competitive advantage today. The ever-changing global business environment, unpredictable market conditions, and changing consumer preferences call for agile supply chain systems. The pandemic helped reveal the vulnerabilities within the supply chain networks that need addressing. Various challenges, such as data reliability and integration, affect the current supply chain traceability and must be addressed. Such factors lead to inefficiencies within the system, which affect the process and lead to inconsistencies. The paper uses a systematic literature review to identify recent challenges and solutions to supply chain traceability. An analysis of blockchain technology's role in promoting transparency and security in supply chain systems was conducted. Lastly, an in-depth analysis of how improving traceability can help the supply chain networks build resilience.

Systematic implementation of compliance and governance as a security measure in today’s global business framework: A case study of QuickDine food delivery service

The QuickDine compliance and governance plan outlines the framework for ensuring legal, ethical, and secure operations within the organization. QuickDine faces critical challenges regarding customer privacy, intellectual property protection, and adherence to cyber laws as a food delivery service. This compliance and governance plan aimed at addressing these concerns systematically.

Міжнародний досвід бухгалтерського обліку маркетингових витрат

The international aspects of marketing cost accounting cover various approaches and practices that influence companies’ management decisions and financial reporting worldwide. Implementing International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) ensures the unification of methods for recognizing and classifying marketing expenses, contributing to transparency and comparability of financial and non-financial data. Different countries adapt these standards to their economic and regulatory characteristics, leading to variations in accounting practice. Analysis of international experience allows business entities to improve management strategies and increase cost efficiency. Studying these aspects is critical to ensuring competitiveness and stability in the global business environment. The article aims to summarize the priority international approaches to the recognition and measurement of marketing expenses in financial statements. The study used deduction, analysis, synthesis, and generalization methods. It is established that the primary documents regulating the accounting treatment of marketing costs include IAS 38 «Intangible Assets» (for capitalization of marketing costs, if justified) and IAS 15 «Revenue from Contracts with Customers» (for advertising and promotion costs related to contracts). One of the most promising types of marketing in today’s conditions is digital, which is confirmed by the amount of financing in European countries. The international standards governing the accounting of marketing costs are generalized. The results obtained can be used to improve domestic UAS and develop internal regulations for business entities. We see promising areas for further research in studying the issues of consistency between international and national accounting standards to identify common and distinctive features and areas for improving domestic regulations, as well as developing primary and reporting forms that will allow an objective reflection of their financial basis and serve as an essential source of data for management personnel. Keywords: marketing expenses, accounting, IFRS, marketing, advertising.

Globalisation and Regulatory Strategies: Adapting to Changes in International Business

This article examines the interrelations between globalisation, economic development, and ecological sustainability. It analyses the role of financial innovations in promoting sustainable development and focuses on strategies that help companies adapt and thrive in the face of globalisation, turning challenges into opportunities. Given the complexity of the global business environment, success on the international level depends not only on the speed of changes but also on compliance with various regulatory standards. Regulatory strategies are crucial for mitigating risks and leveraging new opportunities. Therefore, companies must have a thorough understanding of their internal processes and the external regulatory and political environment. The research suggests that the integration of advanced financial instruments and effective political strategies can optimise the impact of globalisation, fostering economic growth and ecological sustainability. It is important to maintain a balanced and objective tone when presenting research findings. The importance of further analysing mechanisms for regulating globalisation processes and developing innovative financial instruments to stimulate environmentally sustainable investments is underscored, emphasising the need for international cooperation and adaptation to climate change. The study concludes that achieving harmony between economic progress and environmental protection requires economic measures, such as carbon taxes and emission quota systems, that embody the principle of pollution responsibility. Legislative initiatives that set limits on emissions and regulate resource use, as well as voluntary initiatives such as corporate social responsibility programs and eco-production criteria, are also necessary. The range of approaches reflects different methods of implementation, levels of compulsion, and stakeholder involvement. The implementation of a particular strategy depends on the economic context, political climate, level of public awareness, and technical readiness of a given country or region.

MILESTONES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL MODELS BASED ON THE THEORY OF SPIRAL DYNAMICS

The article examines the milestones of the development of the business environment through the prism of industrial revolutions and the theory of spiral dynamics of organizational development. The past influences the present. The present shapes the future. The world is a complex, interconnected whole that is difficult to represent and understand, especially regarding complex socio-economic processes and organizational systems, including enterprises. The first radical change began precisely with the agrarian revolution when people domesticated animals as a basis for the transition from gathering to agriculture. After the agrarian revolution, radical industrial changes began in the 18th century. The first industrial revolution (from the 1760s to the 1840s) - the invention of the steam engine and the construction of railways. The second industrial revolution (the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century) - the emergence of mass production thanks to the invention of electricity and the introduction of the conveyor. The third industrial revolution, from the 1960s, - was the emergence of semiconductors and their use in large electronic computing machines, personal computers, and the Internet. The fourth industrial revolution began at the beginning of the 21st century and is characterized by the emergence of "smart enterprises". The content and essential components of these periods imposed and imposed their understanding on the development of organizational models and the way of interaction between stakeholders and the economic entities themselves, which arose at the later stages of development and are developing under the influence of global business trends. Deepening the understanding of the nature of modern approaches in management aimed at the development of organizational systems allows turning to the past and investigating issues of organizational models on the way of the history of human development based on the theory of spiral dynamics (Don et al.), which is based on a dynamic model of human development and evolution of her consciousness, change of fundamental values. So, from the standpoint of the concept of systemic perfection of a business organization, based on the theory of spiral dynamics, its consideration can be started in the system-wide understanding of the system state, which corresponds to a greater extent to the content of perfection - from the orange stage and more/less corresponds to the current trends of the fourth industrial revolution. A significant strategic gap occurs based on the mismatch between the stage of development according to the milestones of industrial revolutions and the organization's current state in relation to the theory of spiral dynamics. For example, a red organization that functions in the fourth industrial revolution era. Management of changes in paradigms of thinking is the art of management.

Chinese Digital Economy: Current Situations, Problems, and Recommendations

The rapid development of the digital economy is transforming global business models and social interactions. By 2025, global e-commerce transactions are anticipated to reach $6.86 trillion, underlining the importance of the digital economy as a major force for economic expansion. China's digital economy, having reached RMB 50.2 trillion in 2023 and comprising 41.5% of its GDP, is notably advancing, catalyzing the transformation of traditional industries and fostering new business models. Significant investments in digital infrastructure such as 5G, big data centers, AI, and the industrial internet underscore China's commitment to technological innovation. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including talent shortages, data security, and privacy concerns, as well as the digital divide. Addressing these issues involves enhancing digital talent training and introduction, improving data security regulations, and promoting coordinated regional development. This study is of great practical value in guiding policy formulation, optimizing resource allocation, and promoting the inclusive application of digital technologies, which will help promote the healthy and rapid development of China's digital economy, ensure that all levels of society can benefit from the advancement of the digital economy, and achieve comprehensive economic and social transformation and upgrading.

Analysis of the Impact of Innovation Subsidy Policy on Biological Enterprises

BASF, one of the world's leading chemical enterprises, has been actively engaged in biotechnology in recent years, committed to integrating biotechnology with traditional chemical technology and promoting the development of sustainable solutions. This report aims to analyze BASF's financial statements for 2021, 2022, and others to evaluate the performance of its biotechnology business in four key aspects: solvency, upstream and downstream competition, profitability, and operating capacity, to provide a reference for corporate decision-makers and investors. According to the public information, BASF is financially stable, and its ROCE has increased significantly, reaching 13.5% in 2021, far higher than the cost of capital, which shows the company's strong profitability and good solvency. BASF's biotechnology business has performed well in profitability. The bio-solution business contributes more than 150 million euros in annual sales and continues to grow. BASF's biological control products, seeds and traits business have been registered or are being registered in many countries, showing strong market potential and profitability. BASF also performed well in the operational capability of biotechnology business. The company has established lean corporate headquarters and global business service department to provide efficient and demand-oriented internal services. With the intensification of market competition and the continuous progress of technology, BASF needs to continue to increase R&D investment, expand market share, optimize supply chain management and improve operational efficiency in order to maintain its leading position and achieve sustainable development.

Budaya dalam Adaptasi Komunikasi Bisnis Global Penggemar K-Pop melalui Media Sosial

One exciting innovation relevant to the research context is the current K-Pop phenomenon that has penetrated the field of intercultural business communication and involves transactions from two or more countries. Because of that, this research aims to find out how intercultural business communication occurs in the context of global business among K-Pop fans. The informant in this study is one of the K-Pop merchandise warehouse service providers in Indonesia. This research is qualitative research with a case study method. Data collection methods were obtained through interviews with informants. The results of this study show the importance of culture in business communication adaptation to overcome cultural differences in global business and also admit the challenges faced, such as language differences, business norms, and technological barriers

Foreign divestment: the missing piece in international business scholarship

As international business (IB) scholars seek to invigorate the field and steer it away from what some deem a “research coma” resulting from a narrowing scope, the significance of foreign divestment (FD) has once again been relegated amidst other pressing topics. We advocate for elevating FD to the same level of importance as foreign direct investment (FDI). Despite emerging a decade after seminal contributions on FDI, FD has suffered from a notable lack of attention in IB research and educational curricula. However, FD, like FDI, is a common practice among firms and is gaining prominence in light of recent disruptions such as geopolitical conflicts, economic decoupling, digital transformation, and growing skepticism towards globalization. We identify two main setbacks to overcome: the persistent view of FD as merely a misstep in firms' internationalization strategies, and its perception as a subordinate aspect within broader themes of internationalization, including emerging topics such as deglobalization and decoupling. As we elaborate in this commentary, delving into FD at a more granular level can uncover disruptive spillovers that require pushing the boundaries of extant theorizing in IB; neglecting FD leaves the field incomplete and hampers its ability to fully grasp the complexities of global business dynamics.

Breaking Through: The Impact of Branding on Early-Stage Brand Success

This research delves into the urgency and impact of branding strategies on early-stage brands, particularly emphasizing the vital role of effective social media utilization within limited budgets in today's rapidly digitizing global business landscape. Focused on Bimbelku, an Indonesian accounting and economy platform for students operating for less than a year, the study employs theoretical and experimental methods to analyze how branding strategies through social media contribute to business sustainability. By contrasting the challenges faced by brands lacking a coherent branding strategy with the success observed when guided by strong branding strategies, it highlights the importance of strategic social media use in fostering growth and ensuring longevity through customer engagement. Through this focused case study, practical guidance is offered for early-stage brands, illustrating how to optimize branding strategies and harness digital tools to establish a robust and sustainable presence. This exploration aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how early-stage brands can navigate the challenges of limited resources while building a strong and lasting brand presence in the digital era. Ultimately, the research aims to equip entrepreneurs with actionable insights, stressing the necessity of adopting robust branding strategies to not only drive profit but also advocate for customer needs in the fiercely competitive digital landscape.

Small Business Empowerment Strategy in the Agricultural Sector Through Digital Entrepreneurship

This study looks at how digital entrepreneurship is being used by small enterprises in the agriculture industry to empower them. It focusses on how this is affecting market access, production efficiency, and bolstering competitiveness. The advent of digital transformation has presented small enterprises with novel prospects to surmount customary constraints, including restricted availability of markets, finance, and technology. This research employs a qualitative methodology and a case study approach to investigate how small agricultural firms might use digital technologies, like e-commerce platforms and the Internet of Things (IoT), to increase market access and productivity. In-depth interviews with small business owners, technology suppliers, and other stakeholders were used to gather data. Direct observation and document analysis were also used. The results of this study show that small enterprises' operational efficiency and revenue are greatly increased when digital entrepreneurship is implemented. Collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including the government and academic institutions, and sufficient digital literacy have shown to be crucial for the effective execution of this plan. This study also emphasises how crucial it is to create both domestic and global business networks in an effort to increase market penetration and boost the competitiveness of small enterprises in the agriculture industry. In order to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of small enterprises in the agriculture sector, this study makes recommendations based on its results for policy makers and industry participants to assist the widespread adoption of digital entrepreneurship.

Contesting coercion: U.S.-China strategic competition, the middle technology trap, and Chinese government-guided funds

This study examines the possible emergence of a Middle Technology Trap (MTT) in U.S.-China strategic competition through the lens of the Global Financial Network (GFN) and the Global Innovation Network (GIN). By conducting doctrinal analysis, theoretically informed case studies, and in-depth interviews, we offer a granular study into how the U.S. has been weaponizing its leading position in the GFN to affect China’s level of participation in the GIN. Our findings reveal three U.S. tactics to induce the MTT with China: first, leveraging U.S. private equity and venture capital (PEVC) to enhance its technology advantage over China; second, pushing U.S. investors to withdraw from China’s PEVC market, thereby restricting Chinese access to American capital; and third, inducing Advanced Business Services (ABS) supporting innovation and global business to cease or reduce their operations in China, thereby increasing intermediation costs for innovation. Although Chinese government-guided funds (GGFs) have managed to partially mitigate the “funding gap” from the departure of American PEVCs, they have yet to assume the brokerage role previously played by American PEVCs in both the GIF and the GIN. As such, our study contributes to a better understanding and theoretical advancements of the MTT by linking up the scholarship of innovation and finance with financial statecraft.

Which Global Cycle? A Stochastic Factor Selection Approach for Global Macro-Financial Cycles

Abstract Instead of assuming a certain factor structure, we statistically test for the factor structure driving common global dynamics in macroeconomic and financial data by employing a stochastic factor selection approach. Using a sample of 16 developed countries from 1996Q1 to 2019Q4, we present strong empirical evidence of a global macro-financial cycle and an independent global financial cycle. Moreover, the global macro-financial cycle we estimate is essentially the global business cycle identified in the literature. It captures the common global macroeconomic dynamics and drives a significant share of the comovement in the financial sector. The remaining commonality in financial variables is driven by separate global financial cycles: the global credit cycle and the global capital flow cycle.

The Impact of Linguistic Diversity on Intercultural Communication in Nigerian Organizations: A Review

Nigeria stands out globally for its profound cultural and linguistic diversity, encompassing over 500 distinct languages. Among these, the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo languages serve as predominant, with several hundred others classified as minority languages. This diversity not only reflects the country’s ethnic richness but also presents unique challenges and opportunities in organizational settings. However, this study examines deeply into the challenges and opportunities presented by Nigeria’s linguistic diversity within organizational contexts. It explores how language barriers impact daily interactions, teamwork, and overall organizational effectiveness. Drawing from a thorough review of scholarly literature sourced from reputable databases like Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate, the study identifies prevalent issues and examines potential solutions. By addressing these complexities, the study aims to offer a comprehensive framework for understanding the elaborate dynamics of intercultural communication shaped by linguistic diversity in Nigeria. It emphasizes the critical need for proactive strategies that embrace diversity as a driver of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable organizational growth in today’s interconnected global business landscape. The findings underline the importance of fostering inclusive communication practices, promoting cultural sensitivity, and enhancing language proficiency among employees to effectively navigate and leverage Nigeria’s diverse cultural milieu for organizational success.

Can digital technology drive the integration of sports and health industries? Evidence from global businesses.

The integration in sports and health industries is attracting increasing research attention, however, there is less empirical evidence about role of digital technology adoption in affecting the industrial integration. This article extends relevant research from intra-state to including cross-board cases by combing data of merger and acquisition (M&A) in global sports and health industries as well as the country-level digital adoption index. It is shown that the integration in sports and health industries is positively associated with the digital technology adoption that the country in which the acquiror firm is located. Thus, it is beneficial for policymakers to promote the digital technology use when aiming to encourage the spontaneous industrial integration in sports and health industries.

Impact of E-commerce on Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case Study of Developing Countries

This study investigates the impact of e-commerce adoption on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. E-commerce has rapidly transformed global business landscapes, offering SMEs new avenues for market expansion and operational efficiency. However, its adoption among SMEs in developing countries varies significantly due to technological, infrastructural, and socio-economic barriers. This research employs a qualitative case study approach to explore how SMEs in select developing countries have navigated challenges and leveraged opportunities presented by e-commerce. The findings highlight the transformative effects of e-commerce on business models, market reach, and competitive positioning within local and international markets. Moreover, the study identifies critical success factors and barriers to e-commerce adoption, offering insights for policymakers, business owners, and stakeholders aiming to foster sustainable growth and economic development through digital commerce initiatives.