AIB Journals Podcast

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...

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...

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 innovati...

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 (regulativ...

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. Cit...

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 cl...

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 scru...

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...

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...

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 bette...

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 h...

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 v...

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 policie...

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...

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. Ci...

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 navigati...

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 th...

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 bu...

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...

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 facilita...

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 navigat...

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...

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....

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 forei...

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...