AIB Journals Podcast

How can scholars and policymakers better navigate an increasingly complex and contested global economy? Learn about the challenges and the opportunities that emerge as the global economic order undergoes profound transformation. B0ringing together perspectives from multiple disciplines, this episode aims to deepen IB scholarship’s understanding of how geopolitical shifts, evolving policy frameworks, and changing patterns of economic interdependence are reshaping the environment in which international business operates.  Citation: JIBP Special Collection on "Assessing the Post-Globalization Blues: What Might the New World Order Mean for International Business?" https://link.springer.com/collections/gcigeifchc

Get ready for an eye-opening look at international business in the Middle East, where global icons like Starbucks and Carrefour face a massive wave of consumer activism. This podcast uncovers the high-stakes strategies used by mega-brands to survive intense boycotts, from dramatic market exits to clever local rebranding. Discover how "halo brands" and local partners are the new front line in protecting global reputations during the world's most sensitive geopolitical crises. Citation: Benmamoun, M. (2026). From Conflict to Consumer Backlash: How Multinational Corporations Navigate Boycotts in the Middle East and Beyond. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.155276.

Buckle up for a high-stakes deep dive into the digital frontlines where global hackers go head-to-head with the world's biggest banks. This podcast reveals the secret weapon about cybercrime laws that is currently saving our global financial system by locking down accounts and boosting investor confidence. Discover how a single piece of legislation can shield your money from chaos and build a bulletproof future for banking. Citation: Cumming, D., Nguyen, M., Pham, A.V. & Samarasinghe, A. (2026). Banking system stability: a global analysis of cybercrime laws. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00838-3

This episode tackles the "Geopolitical Puzzle," investigating how researchers use everything from United Nations voting records to global news sentiment and trade sanctions to track the world's shifting alliances. You'll learn why a simple "yes" or "no" at the UN can reveal a country’s long-term loyalties, even when quick-moving news headlines suggest a different story. Finally, we explore why understanding these complex diplomatic ties is part of the new survival skill for any business trying to navigate the high-stakes friction of 21st-century global politics. Citation: Adarkwah, G.K., Sabel, C.A. & Zilja, F.(2026). Measuring geopolitics: the promise and limits of UNGA voting data for IB research. Journal of International Business Policy 9, 102–123. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00237-3

Explore the untapped potential of the blue economy in this podcast, where the world's oceans are finally recognized as the most powerful missing stakeholder in global business. This groundbreaking analysis reveals how multinational corporations can transform from exploiters to protectors by integrating ocean health into their core survival strategies. Discover a bold new framework for blue governance that proves saving our seas is not just an ethical duty; instead it is a key to long-term financial profitability and planetary resilience. Citation: Hahn, I. S., & Cordova, M. (2026). Oceans as the Missing Stakeholder: How International Business Impacts Marine Ecosystems. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.157949.

Step into the future of academia where Generative AI is the ultimate research methods assistant. AI can transform how we build and test the world's most complex theories. This podcast defines an eight-step holistic roadmap designed to rescue research from weak links and turn everyday methods into powerful engines for discovery. Learn how to wield these cutting-edge AI tools responsibly to create findings that shape both global policy and business practice. Citation: Aguinis, H. (2026). Method-driven theory advancements and AI implementation. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00851-0

Dive into the high-stakes world of international business to discover if foreign investment is the green gift that emerging economies desperately need to fight climate change. This podcast explores groundbreaking research across 31 countries, revealing that while foreign-owned firms are more likely to adopt eco-friendly management, this green effect only kicks in when the money comes from environmentally conscious nations. Learn why your favorite global brands are leading the charge in manufacturing but still struggling to make a green impact in the service sector. Citation: Kannen, P., Semrau, F.O. & Steglich, F. (2026). Green gifts from abroad? FDI and firms’ green management. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00228-4

This podcast argues that International Business (IB) education must evolve beyond traditional classroom theories to address the wicked problems of the 21st century, such as climate change and global inequality. The authors propose an integrated pedagogical framework that combines experiential learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a focus on societal impact to prepare students for a fragmented global landscape. Ultimately, the study suggests that by bridging the gap between academic research and real-world practice, IB programs can empower future leaders to drive sustainable value creation rather than just corporate profit. Citation: Avendano, J., Usta, H., & Kundu, S. K. (2026). Enhancing International Business Education Through Faculty Development in International Business Programs. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.155724.

This study examines how the mandatory disclosure of the CEO-to-employee pay ratio affects corporate behavior, specifically finding that firms with high ratios often face negative reactions from consumers and employees. Rather than significantly lowering executive pay, many companies respond to these transparency requirements by subtly adjusting their workforce or outsourcing low-wage roles to improve their reported numbers. Ultimately, while intended to curb inequality, the authors argue that without broader institutional pressure, these disclosures may lead to strategic window-dressing rather than a fundamental shift in how wealth is distributed within global corporations. Citation: Jiang, K., Jia, Y., Tsui, A.S., & Yu, J. (2026). CEO-to-employee pay ratios, societal-level income inequality, and citizens’ subjective well-being. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00841-2

French and EU policies promoting a circular economy have prompted multinational textile lead firms to integrate minor, compliance-driven adaptations into their existing linear models, though these changes rarely alter the geography of their global production networks. In contrast, "born-circular" firms embed sustainability at their core and attempt to build regional supply chains, yet they remain limited in scale due to significant technical and commercial constraints. To bridge these operational gaps, a new ecosystem of "middle-of-the-chain" intermediaries has emerged to facilitate recycling, repair, and the transition toward more localized, inter-sectoral value chains. Citation: Curran, L., & Joltreau, T. (2026). The impact of circular economy policies on business models within global value chains: a study of the French textile industry. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00238-2

What does it really take to set yourself on the path toward a meaningful and impactful research career during your PhD? Through the lens of sensing, seizing, and transforming as mechanisms for navigating developmental opportunities, this episode explores how doctoral students, can move beyond core PhD training to build the skills, networks, and scholarly identity needed for impactful research careers. We unpack practical “scaffolding techniques,” from interdisciplinary exposure and international experiences to strategic co-authorship, peer review, and methodological training, that help bridge the gap between core academic training and real-world relevance.  Join us as we discuss how the next generation of scholars can navigate institutional barriers to contribute more effectively to the global community. Citation: Boncheva, K., Gadhia, M., Mans, T., Morales Marenco, M. J., Shukran, K., et al. (2025). Sensing, Seizing, Transforming: A Student Perspective on Enhancing IB Doctoral Education for Meaningful Scholarship. AIB Insights, 25(5). https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.153860.

This podcast explores how managers in Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) navigate the matrix of conflicting demands between global headquarters and local subsidiaries. The authors identify how complex reporting lines and shifting corporate priorities can trap managers in a cycle of ambiguity, hindering effective decision-making and strategic agility. To break free, the paper suggests that firms must simplify their organizational structures and empower local leaders to prioritize market responsiveness over rigid internal bureaucracy. Citation: Conroy, K.M., & Collings, D.G. (2026). Trapped in the MNE matrix: liminal identity at the local–corporate–global nexus. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00817-8

Voluntary sustainability standards, which set private rules for ethical and green production, diffuse most successfully in countries with robust trade, technical assistance, and financial institutions that help local firms manage the high costs of compliance. While strong social protection systems also correlate with a higher presence, the research reported in this podcast surprisingly found no link between a country's environmental stewardship and the adoption of these standards. Ultimately, these results suggest that global sustainability organizations act as extensions of corporate sourcing strategies, prioritizing locations with the business infrastructure necessary to make "sustainable" production commercially viable. Citation: Ferretti, T., Manivannan, A. & Marques, J.C. (2026). Advancing the understanding of voluntary sustainability standard organizations’ geographic diffusion: the role of national institutions in global agrifood. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00233-7

In today’s episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is sparking a revolutionary energy transition across the African continent. Today, we examine how "collaborative governance", which is a partnership between state governments and private businesses, can overcome infrastructure gaps and financial hurdles to power a more sustainable future. Join us as we discuss how smart grids and predictive analytics are not just high-tech dreams, but essential tools for bringing reliable electricity to millions. Citation: Kearns, S., & Maksimov, V. (2025). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Africa’s Energy Transition: A Collaborative Governance Perspective. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.146526.

In this episode on climate vulnerability, we dive into the surprising ways our changing planet is reshaping the global financial landscape. Today, we explore how a country's climate vulnerability and its ability to adapt can lead to sudden, dramatic crashes in individual stock prices. Join us as we discuss why the "bad news" managers hide today could become the market-shaking crises of tomorrow. Citation: Ni, X., Si, Y. & Zhang, B. (2025). Climate vulnerability and stock price crash risk worldwide. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00831-w

Today, we dive into the World Investment Report 2025 to uncover how artificial intelligence and national security concerns are fundamentally reallocating international capital. Join us as we discuss the urgent challenges of the expanding digital divide and the critical need for sustainable investment in an increasingly fragmented world. Citation: Giroud, A., Puck, J. & Puhr, H. (2026). World Investment Report 2025: international investment in the digital economy. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00234-6

This podcast dives into the high-stakes geopolitical tug-of-war over Latin America’s critical minerals, where the U.S. and China are deploying rival strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative to the Minerals Security Partnership to secure the resources powering the global energy transition. This podcast uncovers how nations like Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina are leveraging this competition, swinging between resource nationalism and open-market policies to demand value-added industrialization rather than just raw extraction. This podcast offers a crucial playbook for multinational enterprises, revealing how to navigate complex regulations like the Inflation Reduction Act while forging local partnerships that survive the crossfire of superpower rivalry. Citation: Li, J., Shapiro, D. & Vecino, C. (2025). Geopolitics, Host Country Policy, and Critical Mineral Investment in Latin America. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.146203

Gender wage discrimination is a grand challenge that constrains economic growth worldwide and denies women fair opportunities. Yet, we know surprisingly little about how women’s own experiences of wage discrimination steer their career decisions. The article discussed in this podcast episode adopts the perspective of job-seeking women and argues that prior exposure to wage discrimination reshapes their employer preferences. Citation: Sofka, W., Grimpe, C. & Kaiser, U. (2025). Gender wage discrimination and the attractiveness of foreign MNC subsidiaries as employers for women. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00811-0

Discover how firms are transforming from passive victims of geopolitical disruptions into active agents capable of shaping the very political environments that constrain them. This podcast unpacks a new model that traces how shocks from trade wars to military conflicts filter through specific institutional mechanisms like sanctions and media narratives that inform firms’ strategy and performance. Join us in this podcast to learn why some firms aren't just surviving these disruptions, but are engaging with them head-on. Citation: Andrews, D.S., Puhr, H. & Knill, A. (2026). Transmission of geopolitical shocks to firm behavior: a synthesis and integrative model. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00232-8

Join us as we explore how multinational enterprises can wield their immense power to end exploitative practices and finally make "decent work" a reality rather than just a pipe dream. This podcast breaks down a new actionable framework designed to protect marginalized communities, including migrant workers and the LGBTIQ+ community, by enforcing strict supply chain accountability and leveraging transparency technology. This podcast can be your blueprint for moving beyond corporate rhetoric to implement concrete strategies like living wages and inclusive hiring that truly transform global operations. Citation: Röell, C., Ocampo, A., & Özbilgin, M. F. (2025). From Pipe Dream to Meaningful Action: How MNEs Can Deliver Decent Work. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.145892.

While the world fixates on the economic damage caused by trade wars, a new study reveals how "outsider" multinational firms are quietly turning geopolitical chaos into a massive growth opportunity. This podcast explores how companies, like Volkswagen and Airbus, which are from neutral nations, are leveraging their outsider status to aggressively scale up operations inside conflict zones like China, capitalizing on cheaper assets and reduced competition from American rivals. Join this podcast to discover why possessing a vast global network, strong local partnerships, and favorable bilateral agreements are the ultimate keys to transforming trade barriers into competitive windfalls. Citation: Ma, H., & Clougherty, J.A. (2025). Third-country MNEs, trade wars, and competitive opportunities: a real-options perspective. Journal of International Business Studies  https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00821-y

Check out this podcast to explore a groundbreaking new framework that finally moves beyond the simplistic "good vs. bad" debate on corporate sustainability, revealing how global supply chains impact our planet in four distinct, context-dependent ways. By listening, you will uncover why the same environmental initiative can be a game-changer in a healthy ecosystem but barely scratch the surface in a degraded one, and what this means for the future of business strategy. This podcast is your guide to understanding how tailored policy tools such as financial incentives and strict regulations can transform supply chains from drivers of ecological damage into powerful engines for restoration and resilience. Citation: Bass, A.E., Bu, M. & Sartor, M.A. (2025). Reconceptualizing global value chain impact on the natural environment: a framework for integrating context, upgrading, and downgrading with policy implications. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00227-5

This podcast highlights how big global companies can team up with small startups to make real progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Using Bayer’s partnership with Ghana’s digital health venture Bisa, it shows a three-step process which involves matching complementary skills, linking with non-profits, and expanding into underserved regions, that can create both business and social impact. It’s an inspiring story of how “win-win-win” partnerships can turn innovation into meaningful change for communities that need it most. Citation: Prashantham, S. (2025). MNE–SME Engagement for the SDGs. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.144863.

This podcast dives into a fascinating “crowdsourced science” experiment where 57 analysts across the world tackled the same research questions with the same data but still came to considerably different conclusions, often with opposing effects for the same sets of variables. It shows how much research outcomes can depend on the analyst’s choices, yet also how combining many perspectives can reveal meaningful patterns beneath the noise. It’s an energetic look at how science can be more open, transparent, and collaborative, proving that even messy data stories can yield real insight when many minds work together. Citation: Delios, A., Hu, T., Yu, S. et al. (2025). The insights from the crowd: Drawing inferences from many approaches to key empirical questions in international business. Journal of  International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00808-9

This podcast dives into how today’s startups are rewriting the playbook for going global. It unpacks four big shifts such as digitization, ecosystems, fractured geopolitics, and sustainability, which are reshaping how young firms expand and how governments should support them. It’s an energizing take on how connectivity, not just opportunity, is driving the new era of international entrepreneurship. Citation: Zahra, S.A., Hashai, N. (2025). Contemporary transitions in the international activities of startups and their policy implications. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00226-6

This podcast discussing a recent article that shows how Africa’s small farmers and women entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to grow businesses by working with their communities and using simple, sustainable tools. It shares inspiring stories from Uganda and Tanzania where locals fixed old treadle sewing machines, boosted crop yields, and built new ways to reach markets. Real change comes from listening to village leaders, respecting traditions, and teaming up across governments, NGOs, and businesses to build fair and lasting opportunities. Citation: Paul, K. (2025). Lessons to Learn from Informal and Home-Based Business in Africa. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.144333.

Green products are both cleaning up the planet and reshaping global trade. New research shows that unlike traditional goods, green products are more likely to be sourced from countries with stricter environmental standards, flipping the old “pollution haven” story on its head. The race is on: firms chasing green credibility are seeking out “green havens,” where tougher rules actually boost exports and reputations rather than drive them away. Citation: Berry, H., Chauvin, J., Cheng, Y.L., & Lee, N. (2025). The global sourcing of green products. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00801-2

This podcast discusses a JIBP article that explores how firms in developing regions can turn foreign technology into real wins for the planet. It shows that the biggest gains happen when companies have the skills, drive, and freedom to use new tools to cut waste and emissions. The podcast calls for smarter policies that not only share technology but also build local know-how, reward green innovation, and clear away red tape so that businesses can actually make change happen. Citation: Hendriks, G. (2025). When does foreign technology help firms from periphery countries improve their environmental impact? An ability–motivation–opportunity framework. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00225-7

This podcast episode discusses a new article that argues that Africa’s thousands of languages create a barrier to trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and proposes Kiswahili as a single trade language to boost communication, economic integration, and poverty reduction. It presents a 25-year roadmap using institutional theory’s three pillars: rules and enforcement (regulative), shared norms (normative), and common ways of thinking (cognitive) to guide governments, businesses, and educators in making Kiswahili a continent-wide trade language. The podcast concludes that adopting Kiswahili could lower trade costs and strengthen African unity but will require sustained investment in education, policy harmonization, and cultural acceptance. Citation: Chrysostome, E. V., Adegbile, A., Boafo, C., & Ogunsanya, F. (2025). From Thousands of African Languages to a Pan-African Language for the African Continental Free Trade Area: A Framework Promoting Kiswahili as Common Language for Intra-African Trade. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.136476.

Climate change is a critical issue, largely driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) contribute significantly to global emissions but also have the resources to combat climate change. This podcast episode discusses an article that explores whether and how worsening ecological conditions motivate MNEs to innovate climate solutions. Citation: Genin, A., Bu, J. (2025). Global ecological dependence and multinationals’ climate innovation: the role of climate risk exposure and institutional conditions. Journal of International Business Studies https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00793-z

Middle-income countries are rushing to stake their claim in the booming green economy, but the real prize lies in moving beyond simply “joining” global value chains to actually upgrading within them. Solar, wind, and bioenergy projects are opening doors, yet lasting gains come only when governments blend demand incentives, supply support, and technology policies in the right mix. The message is clear: seizing green windows of opportunity isn’t automatic. Instead, it takes bold, well-crafted industrial strategies to turn participation into real power. Citation: Lema, R., Rabellotti, R. & Ambrogi, J. (2025). Seizing windows of opportunity in green global value chains: the role of industrial policies in middle-income countries. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00219-5

Behind the glossy façade of philanthropy, corporations are funneling millions into charities tied to politicians, turning donations into covert power plays. From South Korea’s explosive Choi-gate scandal to U.S. defense contractors funding pet causes of lawmakers, the cases show a global pattern of “charitable bribes” reshaping corruption’s playbook. This investigation reveals how firms dodge scrutiny, distort competition, and why transparency is now the frontline battle in corporate influence. Citation: Jeong, Y., & Siegel, J. 2025. Charitable Bribes? The Concealed Form of Corporate Influence and a Road to  Greater Transparency Worldwide. AIB Insights, 25(4). https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.143042.

Why do some films find success globally while others fizzle out? This podcast dives into the hidden power of social influence such as how critics, stars, and even press freedom can make or break a movie’s international success, discussing a recent article that studies how cultural industries expand internationally.   Citation: Huang, X., Fan, D. & Soo, C. (2025). A social influence view of the internationalization of cultural products. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00797-9

Hydrogen is being hailed as the fuel of the future, but the real story is how latecomer countries are racing to grab a slice of the action. From Namibia to India, governments are rolling out bold strategies to turn sun, wind, and gas into global exports, green industries, and even new tech niches. The contest isn’t just about clean energy. It is about rewriting industrial policy and reshaping who gets to win in the next energy revolution. Citation: Altenburg, T.,&  Strohmaier, R. (2025). Low-emission hydrogen: global value chain opportunities for latecomers and industrial policy challenges. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00217-7

Global crises, climate shocks, and AI advances are challenging the old rules of management education, leaving leaders scrambling to keep up. A new teaching approach called the “fire-mindset” offers a path forward by focusing on curiosity, intellectual rigor, and co-creation of knowledge in the face of disruption. It’s a call to rewire how we teach international business so future leaders can better navigate through an unpredictable world. Citation: Hasse, V.C. (2025). International Business Education in the Age of Disruption. AIB Insights, https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.143158

Space is becoming a new frontier for business, with both private companies and governments eager to explore and exploit its resources. The Space economy is rapidly expanding and is projected to reach nearly $3 trillion by 2045. This shift from exploration to exploitation presents new challenges and opportunities; this podcast episode discusses a recent JIBS article that provides a perspective on how businesses and scholars need to rethink IB to address these changes. Citation: Raswant, A., Nielsen, B.B. & Buckley, P.J. (2025). Space: a new frontier for international business. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00783-1

Discussing the introductory editorial to a new JIBP special issue on industrial policy and global value chains, this podcast uncovers how firms are navigating backlash, bias, and political headwinds abroad, as their focus shifts from economic prosperity to security in light of recent global disruptions.  Citation: Gereffi, G., Pananond, P., Tell, F. et al. Navigating industrial policy and global value chains in an era of disruptions. Journal of International Business Policy (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00223-9

Emerging markets (EMs) have become a focal point of academic inquiry and policy interest as they complement and sometimes even challenge established paradigms based on developed economies. International Business scholars, practitioners, and policymakers have long debated how unique emerging markets and their firms are, and if this uniqueness warrants or requires special attention, distinct policies, and new theories. Developed in cooperation with the AIB Emerging Markets Special Interest Group, this AIB Insights special issue explores these questions, articulating novel and actionable insights to understand EMs’ distinctiveness. Our introductory editorial to this issue briefly discusses the nature and dimensions of the uniqueness of emerging markets and their firms. It then surveys the seven issue articles, highlighting their main findings and insights. Given current global developments, the significance of EMs and their firms is likely to grow further, underscoring the importance of continued academic and practical focus on them. Citation: Awate, S., Brandl, K., Hobdari, B., & Newburry, W. 2025. How Really Unique Are Emerging Markets and Their Firms? AIB Insights, 25(3). https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.137979.

Foreign companies often face more regulatory challenges than local ones when operating in different countries, which is partly due to unfamiliarity with local rules and networks. However, discrimination against foreign firms has not been studied as much, as discussed in this podcast episode focusing on a new study that explores how the political beliefs of a host country’s government can increase the regulatory risks for foreign firms, particularly through discrimination. Citation: Muratova, Y., Dhanaraj, C. & Svystunova, L. (2025) Revisiting the liability of foreignness: political ideology, globalization, and discrimination. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00782-2

This podcast dives into policies that can make value chains more resilient and the potential reactions of firms to these policies. It’s a fresh take on value chain reconfiguration with practical insights from the frontlines of public health and the global pharmaceutical industry, discussing a recent JIBP article about value chain disruptions and policy responses to antibiotic shortages in GVCs. Citation: Baraldi, E., Ciabuschi, F. & Fratocchi, L. (2025). Value chain disruptions: policy responses to antibiotic shortages in global value chains. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00214-w

How can we better understand the challenges and strategies of emerging market multinational companies as they expand globally? One answer lies in this podcast, which describes a new multilevel approach that helps firms and policymakers see how macro conditions, institutions, industries, and firm-specific choices all shape success, and thereby guide companies as their own GPS that provides navigation advice through complex markets. Citation: Shukran, K. (2024). Rethinking Theoretical Frameworks for Understanding Emerging Market Multinational Enterprises: Implications for Management and Policy. AIB Insights, 25(3), https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.133788.

While multinational enterprises often aim to do good through corporate social responsibility and other initiatives, their efforts are not always seen positively by local stakeholders. The article discussed in this episode examines how MNEs are perceived by local communities in East Africa in relation to their societal impact. It explores why some MNEs have better reputations for societal impact than others and how their actions influence these perceptions. Citation: Makarius, E.E., Kahindi, A.M., Stevens, C.E. et al. (2025). Reputational judgments of foreign MNEs’ societal impact in frontier markets: the role of compatible, crossed, and conflicting signals. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00795-x

In recent times, the world has seen the deep effects of violent conflicts on the global economy. This podcast episode discusses a recently published study addressing how multinational enterprises (MNEs) are affected by violent conflict and how they respond. Citation: Liu, C., Eden, L. & Li, D. (2024). Violent conflict and multinational enterprises: identifying key frontiers in international business policy research. Journal of International Business Policy 7, 260–275. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-024-00187-2

This episode discusses the concept of an ethical organizational culture, an organization's "personality" regarding ethics, by exploring how the Academy of International Business (AIB) developed its ethical culture. It points out useful lessons for other global academic groups. Citation: Eden, L.(2024). Virtuous circles in the academy: Insights from AIB’s ethical organizational culture. Journal of International Business Policy 7, 397–415. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-024-00198-z 

This podcast discusses the complexities of cross-border data transfer regulations among major economies like the EU, the U.S., and China, highlighting how differing laws create challenges for multinational companies. It emphasizes that while each region has its own approach—focusing on privacy, market freedom, or national security—there is a growing need for a balanced global framework to facilitate data movement. The podcast calls for further research and international collaboration to address these regulatory discrepancies and promote effective data governance. Citation:  Rong, K., Ling, Y., Yang, T. & Huang, C. (2025). Cross-border data transfer: patterns and discrepancies. Journal of International Business Policy 8, 10–32. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00209-7 

Uncertainty from Brexit has affected the UK's services exports, revealing a decline of 9.2% annually, resulting in a total loss of about $146.8 billion from 2016 to 2019. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were particularly impacted, while larger multinational companies often relocated operations to mitigate risks. There is a need for clear regulations and support to help businesses navigate the challenges posed by this uncertainty. Citation: Du, J., Shepotylo, O. & Yuan, X. (2025). How did the Brexit uncertainty impact services exports of UK firms?. Journal of International Business Policy 8, 80–104. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-024-00202-6 

This podcast urges the International Business research community to adopt generative AI thoughtfully, setting initial guidelines to ensure responsible use. It highlights GenAI's disruptive potential, key risks like bias and misinformation, and calls for transparency and stronger Open Science practices to protect research integrity. Citation: Delios, A., Tung, R.L. & van Witteloostuijn, A. 2025 How to intelligently embrace generative AI: the first guardrails for the use of GenAI in IB research. Journal of International Business Studies 56, 451–460. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-024-00736-0

This podcast introduces the growing phenomenon of global virtual work, which has become more prevalent due to digitalization and recent global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. It categorizes existing research into three main areas: global virtual teams, distributed work, and the role of digital technologies, and proposes a framework that outlines how these elements interact to create value. The podcast highlights the need for further research on various aspects of global virtual work, particularly focusing on people, technology, context, and time to better understand its implications for organizations and workers. Citation: Froese, F.J., Blay, T., Gibson, C.B., Shaffer, M.A. & Benitz, J. 2025. Global virtual work: a review, integrative framework, and future research opportunities. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00775-1 

This podcast explores how the concept of "foreignness" impacts the performance of Hollywood movies in China, revealing that a moderate level of foreignness in movie posters leads to better box office sales. Using advanced analysis techniques, the podcast shows that while poster foreignness significantly influences audience appeal, the same is not true for movie synopses. Ultimately, managing foreignness effectively can enhance a film's success in international markets. Citation: Gu, Q.C., Wang, Y. & Zhang, J. 2025. Foreignness as a double-edged sword for internationalizing cultural goods: deep learning–based semiotic analysis of Hollywood movies in China. Journal of International Business Studies.

This podcast raises arguments against the idea that the world is currently experiencing deglobalization, suggesting instead that international trade and investment flows remain resilient despite recent global disruptions. It highlights that while there are concerns about geopolitical tensions, the actual patterns of global interaction show no clear shift towards reduced globalization. The podcast emphasizes the importance of not misinterpreting public sentiment or policy changes as evidence of a decline in globalization, as this could lead to costly decisions by governments and businesses. Citation: Altman, S.A., Bastian, C.R. & Fattedad, D. 2024. Challenging the deglobalization narrative: Global flows have remained resilient through successive shocks. Journal of International Business Policy 7, 416–439. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-024-00197-0