Description of tracks

TRACK DESCRIPTION

TRACK 1: MNEs in a transforming world – the changing role of states and firms

Chairs

Governments and policy makers have played a critical role in shaping international business through their race for foreign capital attraction since they can profoundly influence the volumes, directions and types of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and hence the activity of multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Multiple and diverse forces have been reshaping the international business and economic landscape with broad implications for firms, including MNEs. The negative tendencies feature most notably the recent (post)crisis rise of populism, the anti-European sentiment among European Union countries, or increasing protectionism, including the most dangerous murky one. These phenomena have coincided with the growth slowdown of emerging markets, the emergence of new players originating also in post-transition countries, the unprecedented acceleration of international commerce and communication thanks to falling barriers and technological advancements, the continuing trend of outsourcing and deep restructuring of the corporate governance or progressing international investments and trade agreements and partnerships.

Hence, state interventions might be expected to be anything but less pronounced. The findings of previous studies (Götz, 2016; Sauvant 2015) show the changing landscape of policy towards FDI and MNCs’ activities. In general, the approach pursued towards investors have become more subtle differentiating between countries of origin, modes of entry, strategic sectors etc. where particular attention needs to be paid to the quality, subsidiary development, assuring spillovers and integration with local and regional entities. That is to say, the new business and economic landscape calls for sustainability. Supporting outward home investors is certainly less widespread though the economic diplomacy seems to be experiencing its renaissance in many countries with export support and SMEs receive special attention and support. Assuring the optimal place along the global value chain by smart offshoring/sourcing is becoming the overriding aim in this respect. Selective targeting and more attention paid to sustainability characterize modern approach towards attracting investments by MNCs.

• Our track will focus on following questions:
• How can inward FDI by MNEs influence the sustainability of host country economies?
• How can outward FDI by domestic MNEs affect the sustainability of home country economies?
• How can the policy towards MNEs and their investment be designed and implemented to positively contribute to sustainability?
• Is there one universal concept of sustainability suitable for all economies or are there varieties of “sustainabilities” depending on the development level and having various dimensions?

Keywords: multinational enterprises (MNE), government, state intervention, sustainability, inward & outward foreign direct investment (FDI), global value chains (GVC), multilateral institutions

TRACK 2: Internationalization of firms and markets – the case of CEE markets

Chairs

The economies and companies of Central and East European countries (CEECs) have been latecomers to the global business scene. Integration into global value chains controlled by foreign firms has been the typical path to internationalization so far. However, over the last years we can observe a broader wave of domestically owned firms going abroad or increasing their international presence. While some reactivate historical ties to other transition economies, many enjoy the easy access to the single European market or run their business with a global perspective from inception.
This track seeks to extend our knowledge about internationalization processes and patterns, facilitating and hindering factors, and competitive strategies of firms from Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe. The track welcomes especially papers focusing on entrepreneurial internationalization of firms. Furthermore, papers from the meso and macro perspectives are also welcome, dealing with foreign influences on CEEC markets and economies (e.g. FDI, foreign trade flows). We encourage submissions of all kind of papers, i.e. papers based on quantitative and qualitative methods as well as mixed method papers are welcome.

Keywords: international business, international entrepreneurship, internationalization of firms, internationalization of markets, internationalization of industries, internationalization of economies, globalization, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe – CEE, Central and Eastern European Countries – CEECs, Southeastern Europe – SEE, emerging markets

TRACK 3: Developments in IB theory – methods, trends, critical approaches

Chair

There are numerous theories that try to explain why, how, when and where firms internationalize. The present track has the objective to contribute to the advancement of IB Theory. We welcome papers that critically assess existing theories, for instance in the light of recent developments (such as digitalization or protectionism).
We also look for contributions that extend or otherwise modify established theories. In addition, we invite papers contributing to the development of new theories. The track is open for purely conceptual papers in the IB Theory field as well as for empirical papers (quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods) testing theories or leading to new theories.
We also look for papers that link theory development to questions of methodology, epistemology and ontology and for papers that identify past and future trends in the IB Theory field.

Keywords: IB theory, FDI theory, economic approaches, behavioral approaches, institutional approaches, resource-based approaches, dynamic theories, internationalization processes,  internationalization patterns, internationalization objectives and motives, theoretical explanation of MNE's strategies and structures, firm-specific advantages, country-specific advantages, liability of foreignness, resources and capabilities, methodology, critical assessment, trends in IB theory

TRACK 4: FDI and foreign market entry – strategies, policies and new trends

Chair

Internationalization challenges most companies especially when they cross borders of culturally and institutionally different countries. While establishing a foreign presence has never been easy, it is even more challenging for the new emerging players in the global market place. For emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) internationalization strategies are often associated with overcoming not only liabilities of foreignness but also liabilities of country of origin. Nevertheless, EMNEs gain ever greater prominence globally and become the competitive force that creates new challenges for established (older) MNEs.

This track welcomes papers focusing on new and innovative foreign market entry strategies of EMNEs. Naturally, papers related to more traditional topics like MNEs' Internationalization strategies, M&As dynamics, and performance related issues are welcome. Papers using quantitative and qualitative as well as mixed methods are welcome. 

Keywords: internationalization strategies, institutional and cultural distance issues, country-of-origin, cross-border activities, cross border M&As, entry and establishment modes, export management and performance, FDI, global value chain management, outsourcing and offshoring, insourcing, global networks, international alliances and JVs

TRACK 5: SMEs and international entrepreneurship

Chairs

This track mainly focuses on small and medium-sized entrepreneurial internationalizers: how they select their initial and following foreign markets (for instance, is their behavior predominantly planned or more random), how they operate there, which factors affect their success and failure and how their following activities are affected by their past. Papers based on all types of approaches using longitudinal data are especially welcome.

Keywords: SMEs, international entrepreneurship, internationalization process, international expansion, failure, born globals, international new ventures

TRACK 6: Location and IB

Chair

Globalization and new technologies provide new opportunities to (re)organize business geographically. This track invites papers focusing on any aspect of the spatial organization and effects on international business. As business activity (from production to knowledge creation) and value creation have come to rely on internationally highly disaggregated and geographically dispersed value chains, linkages between centers of excellence and industrial agglomerations are becoming more important, often complementing networks in the local and regional environments of such operations. These trends underpin the co-evolution of MNEs and locations.

Indicative (and not exhaustive) research themes for this track include: the increasing complexity of global value chains across multiple local contexts, the offshoring of increasingly sophisticated activities to emerging economies (as well as their reshoring), the growing dispersal of innovative activities within MNE networks, the increasing combination of internal vs. external agglomeration strategies by MNEs, and the role of temporary clusters and proximity in MNEs’ innovation strategies. 

Keywords: disaggregation of value chains, offshoring and reshoring, agglomeration, clusters and subnational regions, geographically dispersed networks, proximity and temporary proximity

TRACK 7: Digitalization and IB

Chairs

 Digital revolution, or digital disruption, is presently transforming entire industries, creating new opportunities but also challenges. Internet, mobile technologies, social media, cloud systems, Internet of Things, digital marketing or automation – those are just a few recent phenomena directly influencing overall business strategy and operations. Digital transformation triggers multifaceted changes in various organizational aspects, giving rise to new/alternative business models, reshaping business operations and traditional value chains, enabling companies to develop and manage a broader (online) consumer/customer base on international scale. How is digitization rewriting the rules of effective internationalization in the contexts of MNEs, INVs, SMEs? How does it affect the pace of internationalization, selection of markets, entry modes, creation of networks and relational capabilities, standardization-adaptation dilemma, knowledge accumulation and sharing processes?
Can internet/on-line channels substitute for physical presence in foreign markets? Or they rather play a complementary role? (Sinkovics et al. 2013) How do born-globals involved in on-line internationalization can cope with the "virtuality trap" (Sinkovics et al. 2013; Yamin and Sinkovics, 2006)? Whether and how ‘brick-and-mortar’/low-tech firms build on digitalization to upgrade products/services and compete in foreign markets? Whether and how internationalization of ‘ibusiness’ firms (i.e. firms offering “a platform that allows users to interact with each other and generate value through user co-creation of content”) (Brouthers et al. 2016: 513) differ from other types of firms? Does digital transformation correspond with widely accepted theories, paradigms and perspectives of International business? Whether and how does it pose a challenge to existing IB theories? The track welcomes papers focused on various aspects of digital technologies’ impact on international business and international activities.

Keywords: digital transformation, digital technologies, automation, ‘ibusiness’ firms, virtuality trap, new business models

TRACK 8: MNC strategy and organization

Chairs

MNEs develop strategies, build organizations, and manage operations across diverse, evolving socio-economic environments. What business models and competitive strategies do they choose? How do they organize and orchestrate the various activities and units within their organizations and broader networks to explore and exploit international opportunities? How do these processes and choices evolve over time or differ across contexts? What is the role of the decision-makers, their experiences and cognitions, in these processes? For this track, we invite conceptual and empirical papers on a broad set of topics related to these issues.

Keywords: global strategy, competitive strategy, international business models, mergers and acquisitions, international joint ventures, international alliances, outsourcing, firm growth, dynamic environments, environmental uncertainty, organizational learning, upper echelons, cognitions, performance

TRACK 9: International finance, accounting and corporate governance

Chair

The track address research from international finance, international business and accounting. It invites empirical and theoretical contributions at the intersection of these fields and aims to encourage interdisciplinary integration.

Topics of interest are: foreign listing, financial risk management, trade finance, international accounting, transfer pricing, cash-management, project finance, M&A, hedging, or the use of local equity and debt in foreign markets. In addition, we invite papers which focus on financial effects resulting from firm-level internationalization such as cost of capital, foreign exchange risk, liability of foreignness in capital markets, financial flexibility and arbitrage.

Finally, contributions can combine macro-level institutional concepts, related to politics, culture or geographic – and financial management and accounting. We seek papers that provide both theoretical and managerial insights, and implications for the management and governance of international operations. In sum, papers should have a clearly identified international business contributions but complement them with concepts, measures or theories from financial management and Accounting.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Institutions, political cultural etc., and their effects on international finance
• Effects of financial factors on international business strategy – and firm performance
• Corporate governance and international finance
• Boards and their impact on finance, and potentially firm performance
• Management incentives and their effect on finance, and potentially firm performance
• Financial sources of competitive advantage
• Financial drivers of internationalization
• Financial risk management as a complement to international business strategy
• Finance related applications in IB theory and measures
• Institutional influences on the evolution of financial markets

Keywords: ownership structures, board effectiveness and diversity, governance in family-owned firms, in state-owned firms and in closely held firms, top management compensation, international finance and taxation, transfer pricing, capital structure, exchange rate exposure, macroeconomic risk management, international cross-listing and International financial reporting

TRACK 10: International HRM and cross-cultural issues

Chair

This track seeks to address the challenges and issues of working in international organizational environments and across various types and levels of cultures, as well as the role human capital and human resource management play within international business. We invite papers that address issues related to traditional international HRM topics, management of people in MNEs and other types of international organizations, cross-cultural management issues, the future of international work places and generational issues related to work.

With regards to culture, papers transcending traditional methodological nationalism are particularly welcome, including papers on personal cultural orientations, as well as within-country and regional cultural differences. Papers submitted to this track may take individual, group or organizational perspectives. We welcome pure theory papers as well as theoretical advances supported by empirical tests, both qualitative and quantitative.

Keywords: International HRM, strategic HRM in MNEs and international organizations, human capital, international mobility, expatriates, inpatriates, returnees, dual careers in IB, careers in an international context, diversity and inclusion, cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural management, multicultural teams, bicultural and multicultural identity, cultural intelligence, global mindsets, global leadership, global leader competencies, global talent management, language, national identity, stereotypes, qualitative research method, quantitative research methods

TRACK 11: International marketing

Chair

Reaching out to foreign customers is one of the major challenges international companies face. While this has never been easy, it is even more challenging for new players in the global market place. With emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) shifting their internationalization strategies from asset to market seeking, these firms need to developed strategies to overcome liabilities of foreignness and origin in the hearts and minds of clients in developed and developing host countries alike. Therefore, the track welcomes especially papers focusing on new and innovative marketing strategies of EMNEs.
Also, papers related more traditional topics like standardization vs. adaptation of marketing mix elements, brand strategies, international advertising, social media and international consumer behavior are welcome. Related to the methods quantitative and qualitative as well as mixed method papers are welcome.

Keywords: adaptation versus standardization, advertisement, branding, business-to-business marketing, consumer behavior, country-of-origin image, cross-border marketing activities, distribution management, e-commerce, entry modes, export performance, export sales, market entry, market orientation, marketing channels, marketing in developed economies, marketing in developing economies, marketing mix, pricing, segmentation, services marketing, social media

TRACK 12: Knowledge management and innovation

Chairs

Knowledge is recognized as a source of power which can transform institutional arrangements, for better or for worse. It is then not surprising that access to knowledge resources is often guarded by the state, and by the firms, to sustain or to increase competitive advantages. Yet at the same time there are trends towards open access to knowledge and open innovation.

Similarly, it comes without saying that innovations transform firms and states: for example, the advancement of transportation and communication technologies facilitate globalization of markets, while Internet and social media revolutionize the way firms do business around the world. But which innovations are mandated depends on the state policies as well as the corporate and state funding.
For this conference track we invite submissions of conceptual and empirical work of any research method which links the conference theme to knowledge and innovation. For example, papers could explore how does knowledge and innovation transform firms, states, and the relations between them? Or how does innovation transform relationships between firms and individuals? These and related questions, as well as those studies which otherwise link international business to knowledge and innovation are welcome.

Keywords: technological innovation, management innovation, employee innovativeness, employees-driven innovation, global and local knowledge, knowledge transfer/ diffusion, knowledge management, technology management, knowledge search, knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, knowledge hurdling, organizational learning, exploration vs. exploitation, absorptive capacity, open innovation, R&D subsidiaries, global, regional, national, and sub-national innovation systems, reverse innovation, indigenous innovation, centers of excellence, innovation clusters, R&D offshoring, licensing, knowledge acquisition, patents, learning alliances, university-MNE relationships, innovation policies, knowledge-workers in MNEs, researchers in MNEs, dispersed innovation, intellectual property protection, abuse of intellectual property, plagiarism

TRACK 13: Networking and relationship

Chair

This track invites papers looking at the nature of networks across different locations. Possible research questions include: How does the institutional context (both formal and informal) in which networks are embedded shape their purpose and characteristics and the types of relationships they can foster (cf. Kurt et al. 2016)? How can networking and relationship building help local firms to link into global value chains and global factories? Are there any differences with respect to network participation in CEE as opposed to other locations? How can local networking organizations benefit MNEs in their search activities for appropriate business partners?

The importance of business networks in the sense of inter-firm relationships (Anderson, Hakansson, and Johanson 1994; Holm, Eriksson, and Johanson 1996) and networking in the sense of weak ties (e.g. Granovetter 1973) have been well documented in the International Business literature. With the increasing geographical dispersion of value chain activities, the question about how these relationships are initiated, developed, and enhanced over time is becoming increasing important (Cano-Kollmann et al. 2016).

Keywords: business networks, networking, dyadic business relationships, loose ties, virtual networks, ICT, accessing global value chains

TRACK 14: Teaching IB

Chair

Teaching is an important part of what we do as academics, and the field of IB offers a breadth of opportunities for engaging students in the classroom. That breadth also comes with challenges. Members of the EIBA community have developed a wide array of innovative approaches for engaging students and making the learning experience more valuable (and enjoyable for both students and faculty). We look forward to submissions of panel proposals and papers that pertain to original cases, classroom simulations, pedagogy-related research, etc. This is your opportunity to share your extensive expertise pertaining to teaching IB at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive levels.

Keywords: Case teaching, cross-border collaboration in teaching, executive education, experiential learning, extracurricular engagement, flipped classroom, international exchange, international study tours, multimedia, pedagogical research, simulations, thesis/ project supervision