International Business Research Articles

New economic geographies of war: risks and disruptions in Eurasian transport routes and supply chains through the military conflict in Ukraine

Abstract The pandemic and the last years’ geopolitical disruptions have laid bare the vulnerability of Europe’s supply chains, as well as the challenges posed by insecure oil and gas supplies. In this contribution, we aim to add to this debate by raising awareness of the vulnerability of trade and supply chain infrastructure between Europe and Asia. We give an overview of the risks for supply chain securities due to the risk of military and armed conflicts and geopolitical challenges more broadly, illustrated by a map of central logistic corridors and hubs. We further discuss the contemporary implications for each corridor due to the war in Ukraine. By making use of the example of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), we argue that trade along these corridors is highly interdependent and that the continued conflict in Ukraine poses a danger for independent, diversified and resilient trade across Eurasia. The paper calls for future research in economic geography, military geographies and related international business literature to (jointly) reemphasize the economic geographies of war, by for instance analysing shifts in global value chains and global production networks as a result of violent conflicts.

Transnational corporate power, neo-colonialism and investigative journalism: a conversation with Matt Kennard

Purpose This viewpoint aims to contribute to understanding corporate power in two key respects. First, it provides insight into the ways in which transnational corporations continue to operate as vehicles for neo-colonial projects, which are underpinned by exploitation and racial hierarchies. Second, it highlights the significance of investigative journalism in providing a crucial empirical resource for both activists engaged in holding power to account and scholars engaged in critical research into corporate power and civil society activism. Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint combines an interview with an investigative journalist and the academic commentary provided by the authors in response to the interview. Findings This viewpoint highlights contemporary mutations in the concentration of corporate power, along three broad themes: the growth of transnational institutions critical to enabling and supporting abuses of transnational corporate power and neo-colonialism; the emergence of corporate-run political territories secured by private security organisations; and the corporate attack on progressive politics. It also analyses the important role of investigative journalism in advancing knowledge of transnational corporate power as well as its role in holding such power to account and the urgent need for new forms of independent journalism to support union activism, whistleblowing and other forms of democratic activism. Research limitations/implications This viewpoint engages with an alternative tradition of social critique and the critique of corporate power, which has been underrepresented in the field of international business. Practical implications This study highlights the significance of investigative journalism in providing a crucial empirical resource for both activists engaged in holding power to account and scholars engaged in critical research into corporate power and civil society activism. Social implications These implications entail developing a critique of transnational corporate power and neo-colonialism, enriching democtratic oversight and journalism, and supporting freedom of expression and democratic activism. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, minimal research has explored the critical role of investigative journalism in uncovering and holding transnational corporate power accountable. This paper therefore offers a highly original contribution by addressing this significant yet underexamined area.

Emerging trends and critical insights in international business research: a hybrid review

Purpose This paper aims to present a hybrid review combining the theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework and bibliometric analysis of international business research from 1991 to 2023, shedding light on the field’s growth, trends and key contributors. Design/methodology/approach Relevant papers were selected using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses model. Initially, this paper conducted a descriptive analysis to identify prolific institutions, countries and journals. Using bibliometric techniques and the TCCM framework, this paper analyzed theory, context and method visualized through word clouds and keyword co-occurrence. The characteristic aspect was analyzed using bibliographic coupling to identify major themes, providing a comprehensive understanding of the most significant factors in international business research. Findings The analysis of a data set comprising 5,644 documents reveals a steady increase in the annual growth rate of publications, highlighting the growing significance of international business in the global economy. First, this paper noticed a significant increase in publications in leading international business journals, with the Journal of International Business Studies being the most prolific. Second, using the TCCM framework, this paper discovered that the resource-based view, institutional theory, transaction cost theory and internalization theory are predominant in international business research. Most studies have concentrated on firm or enterprise-level entities, followed by country-level analyses. This paper also identified six main themes: (1) innovation and strategy, (2) market, (3) HR impact and leadership, (4) marketing, (5) internationalization and (6) entrepreneurship. Quantitative methods have been the most frequently used research design, followed by qualitative and mixed methods. Research limitations/implications The study offers researchers and practitioners a roadmap for future investigations, collaboration and innovation in international business, thereby advancing the knowledge and understanding of this complex field within a globally interconnected economy. Originality/value This study provides insights into growth and trends, identifying journals, clustering research topics and enhancing theoretical and methodological understanding in the field of international business.

International business education experiences through temporary learning environments: evidence from Atlantic Canada

Purpose International environments introduce a number of learning-related barriers for students endeavoring to understand global business practices. One way in which these obstacles can be addressed is through participation in temporary learning environments (TLEs), such as trade fairs and similar events. This paper aims to examine how international trade missions (ITMs) – a type of short-term, study-abroad experience – were used as TLEs by students at an Atlantic Canada university as part of their EMBA curriculum to gain practical experience in international business environments. Design/methodology/approach This study explores the ways in which students benefitted from participation in the ITMs and resulting TLEs. Accordingly, an online survey that explored export-related issues and learning outcomes was administered to EMBA students who participated in this program to ascertain the ways in which these events furthered their educational experience and how the ITMs enabled them to perceive challenges and strategies related to international market expansion. Findings A survey of ITM participants revealed that students gained insights into firm-level barriers to internationalization in addition to a practical understanding of general challenges in international trade. At the same time, some observations suggested that more emphasis could be placed on pre-trip preparations and post-trip networking. The paper concludes with discussions on how short-term study abroad opportunities can serve as TLEs, in addition to proposing future ways in which the ITMs could provide even more experiences for the students. Originality/value The value-added from this paper is found in two ways. The first is to illustrate how ITMs can be a form of a TLE for students. The second, linked contribution, is to reinforce and to provide further evidence on how the TLEs – a short study-abroad opportunity – can be an environment in which students obtain valuable, hands-on international business experience.

Finding purpose of life through K’aat-Kaizen in higher education institution’s students: a mixed study in Mexico

PurposeThe educational environment in the twenty-first century has evolved by leaps and bounds in the last four years after COVID-19 pandemic. The concern of quality of student’s learning has increased in the last few years derived from the international accreditations and the global competitive environment among the same, some reasons why student learning have decreased have been stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia and eating disorder in different countries as Spain, Mexico and England. In this manner, theoretical frameworks of Individual Kaizen such as the Japanese Ikigai (reason for being in life) or the Mexican and Latin American K’aat-Kaizen (purpose and vision of life) seem that they help this environment. The purpose of this research is to explore how the Kaizen individual model as is the K’aat-Kaizen can help HEIs students in Mexico to find a possible purpose of life that helps them to improve their learning in their university careers.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology of the study was mixed, a quantitative questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were developed and a K’aat-Kaizen Report diary was applied to a group of third and fourth year university students of International Business at the University of the Americas Puebla in Mexico (Private University).FindingsAccording to the results of the mixed research, it is feasible to indicate that an individual Kaizen framework (K’aat-Kaizen) can be applied to undergraduate students of a HEI with positive results. The theoretical sample of 12 students (male and female) allowed to observe a quantitative and qualitative progress of the K’aat-Kaizen framework in its pillars that behaved as vectors of emotional strength. Finally, another important conclusion is that the K’aat-Kaizen brought the students into an environment of harmony (without stress) in the classroom and while they learn they discover their purpose in life, having quality of life in their university environment.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has several limitations, one of them, is the fact that this is a first approach to applying K’aat-Kaizen and that much more research work is needed with a larger sample, and although we have Mexican and French students, it is necessary to extend it to a wider range of samples both in other Mexican universities and abroad. Finally, although mixed research is robust, it is required to work on more data collection methods, maybe a longitudinal approach to see results over time, because with little time it was not possible to identify the mushin-no-shin (do tasks without thinking) in the students.Originality/valueFirst article exploring the implementation of an individual Kaizen framework (the K’aat-Kaizen) to help students find a life purpose to enhance their learning and classroom experience.

What is wrong with the international business tax system?

Abstract Despite wave after wave of reform, the existing international business tax system remains poor. This article evaluates the system against five standard evaluative criteria: economic efficiency, robustness to profit shifting, fairness, ease of administration, and incentive compatibility, and concludes that it performs poorly on all five. The article argues that the root cause of this poor performance is the underlying fundamental structure of the system, in particular its origin basis and the separate entity approach.

The Key Elements About How to Improve English Language Educators’ Teaching Competence through Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

This study aims to assess the impact of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training on the teaching competence of English language educators at application-oriented universities in Henan, China. By employing a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis, the study gathers and evaluates relevant data to understand the current state of CPD in English language instruction within this specific geographical and educational context. The research analyzes previous trends and their effects, identifying key areas for future refinement and targeted development. The study provides significant insights and practical implications for enhancing English language teaching competence through CPD in Henan and within the broader educational landscape of China. The findings indicate that recent publications from 2022 to 2024 have a limited citation impact, suggesting a lack of studies specifically addressing CPD’s role in English language training. Addressing this gap will help in the development of customized CPD programs for application-oriented universities, aligning with China’s strategic goals to improve English proficiency and promote international business and technological capabilities. The study also highlights that CPD research often draws insights from psychology and medical training, implying that a multidisciplinary approach can enhance the effectiveness of CPD for English language instruction. The relatively declining citation impact of Chinese educational research compared to European studies underscores the need for Chinese institutions to strengthen global collaborations and publish important findings in accessible journals to increase the global visibility and influence of their CPD advancements.

Dark and bright repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on international business: a systematic literature review and future research agenda

Dark and bright repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on international business: a systematic literature review and future research agenda

Research on Bilingual Teaching Optimization and Innovation of International Business Negotiation Based on OBE

As China’s influence in the international market grows and the global economic and trade environment becomes increasingly severe, it is urgent to cultivate-level and versatile international business negotiation talents. This paper, based on the OBE (Outcome-Based Education) concept, points out the problems in the bilingual teaching of international business negotiation, such as students’ lack of initiative in learning, the lack of suitable bilingual teaching materials, the disconnection between theory and practice bilingual teaching of international business negotiation, and oversimplified evaluation systems. It also proposes solutions such as bringing front-line personnel into the classroom, the CPBL + ESP model, and the PIP teaching evaluation model, to meet the current market employment needs.

Risk Warning Method of Cross-Border Flow of International Business Management Data Based on Integrated Classification Algorithm

Risk Warning Method of Cross-Border Flow of International Business Management Data Based on Integrated Classification Algorithm

Artificial Intelligence in International Trade: A Bibliometric Analysis

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key force reshaping the international business landscape. Artificial intelligence, known as one of the disruptive technologies of the moment, will produce important changes in the mechanism of unfolding specific to foreign trade operations. The research is based on a quantitative research method, bibliometric analysis. By querying the existing database on the Scopus platform, scientific papers (research articles, books, papers presented at conferences) containing the keywords in the title, abstract or keywords of the documents were identified. The bibliometric analysis carried out can be a guide for future research directions and for identifying strategic directions for the implementation of AI in international trade. The results obtained can also guide market participants, especially international trade companies, on how artificial intelligence could be used in the process of conducting export-import business. At the same time, the results can help academic researchers explore issues related to the application of artificial intelligence in international trade in future studies.

Prevalence of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms and barriers to mental health services among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Medical students represent the future of the healthcare workforce. However, the demanding nature of medical education places them at an increased risk of mental health issues. Ensuring their mental well-being is crucial for maintaining a competent and compassionate healthcare system. This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with barriers to accessing mental health services among medical students. A cross-sectional self-administered online survey conducted among medical students of Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, from September 2023 to March 2024. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using International Business Machines Corporation Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27.0.1 (Chicago). The study included 390 participants. Median scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were 14.00, 12.00, and 16.00, respectively, with interquartile ranges of 4.00 to 22.00, 4.00 to 20.00, and 6.00 to 24.00. Depression severity categories showed that 38.2% were normal, while 11.5%, 31.8%, 13.6%, and 4.9% experienced mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe symptoms, respectively. Anxiety severity classifications revealed 37.4% as normal, with 6.2%, 17.4%, 10.0%, and 29.0% falling into mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe categories, respectively. For stress, 49.2% were normal, while 11.0%, 16.7%, 14.1%, and 9.0% experienced mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe levels, respectively. Barriers to accessing mental health care included a preference for self-management, confidentiality concerns, societal judgment, and fears of career-related repercussions. This study highlights a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students at Jazan University, with notable gender differences and symptom severity. Addressing barriers to mental health care, such as confidentiality concerns and societal stigma, is essential to improving service utilization and student well-being.

Endorsing organisations towards international business: insights from Finland

Endorsing organisations towards international business: insights from Finland

Disruptive Innovations Disclosure in the International Business System Groups

Disruptive Innovations Disclosure in the International Business System Groups

China's industrial policy and its implications for international business

China's industrial policy and its implications for international business

Risk Analysis of Money Laundering through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in International Business

The misuse of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in international business has emerged as a significant risk in global money laundering schemes. This study explores the mechanisms, risk factors, and regulatory challenges associated with SPVs, emphasizing their dual role as legitimate financial instruments and potential tools for illicit financial activities. A comprehensive literature review highlights key vulnerabilities, including opaque ownership structures, jurisdictional arbitrage, and regulatory inconsistencies. The findings underscore the necessity of enhanced transparency, international collaboration, and technological adoption to mitigate these risks. Proposed strategies include mandating beneficial ownership disclosure, leveraging blockchain and artificial intelligence for transaction monitoring, and strengthening global anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks. By addressing these challenges, this study contributes to safeguarding the integrity of financial systems and promoting ethical practices in international business.

Enhancing Student Development Through a Virtual Study Abroad Business Course: A Proposed Design for Global Experiential Learning

ABSTRACT Study abroad programs represent an effective way to enhance student learning and development in business higher education, especially in international business, marketing, and trade. However, in the face of disruptors and barriers that affect a student’s ability to travel internationally, virtual study abroad (VSA) programs can be a more accessible alternative to achieving comparable outcomes. This paper presents a purposeful design for VSA programs with comprehensive goals of students’ personal, cultural, and professional development. Our study provides measurement and analysis of their effectiveness and demonstrates notable improvement across twelve essential facets of personal, cultural, and professional learning objectives among participants engaged in a virtual, project-based study abroad program. These findings underscore the significance of VSA programs and advocate for their continued inclusion in university curricula.

Educational innovation: an approach to the japanese Kaizen method in university students. Reflections and perspectives

The article explores the implementation of the Kaizen method in a Mexican university educational context. The research, conducted at a public university, focused on 174 students from different semesters of bachelor’s degrees in administration, Accounting, Marketing, and International Business. The main objective was to analyze the influence of Kaizen on the development of learning skills and the improvement of academic performance. The research was based on a survey conducted through Google Forms, to collect information about students' perceptions of the Kaizen method. The results revealed that the method had a positive impact on student motivation and participation. Increased individual responsibility for learning was observed, as well as an increase in collaboration and the search for joint solutions to problems. Students emphasized the importance of the focus on continuous improvement and the importance of constant feedback for the development of their abilities. However, some difficulties were also identified, such as the need for greater support from teachers to implement the method effectively. Therefore, the Kaizen method presents significant potential to improve the quality of university education in Mexico. Its integration into study programs is recommended, with a focus on teacher training and the development of strategies to facilitate its implementation and ensure its effectiveness.

The Effect of Exchange Rate Fluctuations on Egyptian International Business Transactions: An Empirical Analysis

The Effect of Exchange Rate Fluctuations on Egyptian International Business Transactions: An Empirical Analysis

EXPLORING THE NEXUS BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: A CASE STUDY OF BHUTAN

This study delves into the relationship between entrepreneurship and international business in Bhutan, a small, landlocked kingdom that primarily depends on agriculture and hydropower. It aims to assess the current state of entrepreneurship in Bhutan, explore the trends in international trade involving Bhutanese businesses, and pinpoint the challenges and opportunities that Bhutanese entrepreneurs face in the global market. By using secondary data involving the information pertaining to economic environment of Bhutan, the study reveals that Bhutanese entrepreneurs encounter significant obstacles to going global, such as limited access to finance, a shortage of skilled workers, and complex regulatory environments. However, there are opportunities in government policies that promote entrepreneurship and regional trade agreements. The study concludes with policy recommendations to better integrate Bhutanese entrepreneurial ventures into the global market, focusing on regulatory reforms, improved access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives.