Announcements

Special Issue: 

STEERING TOWARDS MORE CREDIBLE AND SOCIETALLY RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT RESEARCH 


Guest Editors:
Prof. Bo NIELSEN, University of Sydney, Australia 
Prof. Jelena CERAR, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria
Prof. Roberta AGUZZOLI, University of Durham, United Kingdom
Prof. Agnieszka CHIDLOW, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom 

Publication date:
December 2024


CALL FOR PAPERS

 Introduction
As scholars, we aim to contribute to and move forward ongoing research debates via the creation and publication of scientific knowledge within the academic communities to which we belong. In doing so, our work plays an important part in the development of knowledge. While many top academic journals focus on theoretical contributions, academic scholarship runs the risk of both a lack methodological credibility (Mayer et al., 2017; Beugelsdijk et al., 2020) and a connection with the ‘real world’, often viewed as relevance to a broader society when addressing today’s grand challenges (Buckley et al., 2017). Indeed, most of our scholarly research seems to be devoted to scientific discoveries with little, if any, focus on societal impact that is both relevant and rigorous (Cuervo-Cazurra et al., 2016; Tihanyi, 2020; Moniel et al., 2021; Tsui & McKieran, 2022). This is rather surprising given the depth and breadth of intellectual resources being devoted to research on international business and management issues of potentially great value for addressing the grand challenges outlined by the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2015). Research on grand social challenges is usually phenomenon driven (Wickert et al., 2021), often necessitating research designs that are methodologically diverse in order to capture real world impact, complexity, and relevance while still remaining rigorous and trustworthy (Alvesson & Gabriel, 2013). This, in turn, raises questions about how our research can simultaneously be both societally relevant and scientifically credible, which is part of ongoing scientific discussions around “relevance vs rigor” within management scholarship to ensure “impact beyond their domain” (Sullivan & Daniels, 2008: 1082). 

This Special Issue is devoted to steering our academic community towards responsible research (RRBM, 2015), representing scientific work that produces credible knowledge that prepares and allows decision makers to tackle such grand challenges. Specifically, this Special Issue seeks to bring together business and management scholars and practitioners who are committed to elevating the scientific responsibility of the community in generating knowledge that transcends academic boundaries and makes a meaningful and credible societal impact.

We contend that the investigation of social challenges may demand application of different methodological designs to help break the status-quo paradigm in international business and management research (e.g., Cerar, Nell, & Reiche, 2021; Nielsen et al., 2020). Indeed, we welcome plurality in both theory, methods, and research design as a way develop more credible socially impactful research. Hence, we are open to qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods as well as conceptual pieces that help further credible and socially impactful scholarship.

Aims and Scope
This Special Issue aims to steer the international business and management scholarship towards responsible research that is both credible and appropriate in addressing existing dilemmas surrounding social challenges (Aguinis, Cascio, & Ramani, 2017; Cuervo-Cazurra et al., 2016; Tsui & McKiernan, 2022). Conceiving research as a practical tool of social relevance is important as there is an urgent need amongst scientific communities to play a more active role in ensuring that academic scholarship is “fit for purpose” (Hoffman, 2021). In doing so, it is imperative that academic scholarship meets the highest standards of credibility, trustworthiness, and methodological rigor advocated in top journals (e.g., Arnold, 2021; Beugelsdijk, van Witteloostuijn, & Mayer, 2020; Cuervo-Cazurra, Andersson, Brannen, Nielsen, & Reuber, 2016; Dau, Santagelo, & van Witteloostuijn, 2022; Eden, 2010), while at the same time contributing to addressing societally relevant topics. Only when both social relevance and academic rigor are at the forefront can academic scholarship truly make a credible societal impact! Therefore, this Special Issues seeks to foster a better understanding of how the international business and management academic community actively can conduct credible research with greater social relevance and impact by answering the following (not exhaustive list of) questions:

Potential Questions to be Addressed:

  1. How can responsible current international business and management research and practices contribute to the public good?
  2. What are the consequences of transitioning to more credible and relevant international business and management research (e.g. additional administrative burdens, performance expectations, work intensification etc.) and how can these be addressed?
  3. What strategies and initiatives can be implemented to promote greater transparency in data collection, analysis, and reporting, thereby enhancing the credibility and impact of international business and management research?
  4. In what ways can scholars bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical applicability in the context of international business and managerial practices?
  5. What are the ethical considerations and responsibilities of scholars in conducting research that impacts international business and management policies and practices?
  6. How can interdisciplinary approaches strengthen the credibility and social relevance of international business and management research in addressing global challenges?
  7. What role does diversity and inclusion play in producing research that is both credible and socially relevant in the field of international business and management research?
  8. How can international business and management research be aligned with and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
  9. How can international businesses and management research responsibly integrate and govern emerging technologies, such as AI and blockchain, to enhance both operational efficiency and societal well-being?
  10. How can international businesses and management research responsibly integrate and govern emerging technologies, such as AI and blockchain, to enhance both operational efficiency and societal well-being?

Submission Guidelines
Prospective authors are invited to submit original research contributions that align with the aims and scope of this special issue. Submissions should adhere to the guidelines of the journal and clearly address the theme of "Steering Towards More Credible and Societally Relevant International Business & Management Research."

Important Dates

  • Submission Open (now)
  • Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024
  • Peer Review Completion: October, 2024
  • Final Manuscript Submission: November 1, 2024
  • Expected Publication: December issue, 2024

Guest Editors

  • Prof. Bo NiIELSEN, University of Sydney
  • Prof. Jelena CERAR, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
  • Prof. Roberta AGUZZOLI, University of Durham
  • Prof. Agnieszka CHIDLOW, Working Board Member at the Responsible Research in Business and Management Global Network, Secondee to UNPRME and Professor of International Business at the University of Birmingham (UK)

Contact:
For inquiries and submission details, please contact:
Bo Nielsen, bo.nielsen@sydney.edu.au

We look forward to receiving your contributions towards advancing the discourse on credible and socially relevant research in International Business and Management. Together, let's shape a future where academic credibility aligns seamlessly with societal impact.

References
Aguinis, H., Cascio, W. F., & Ramani, R. S. (2017). Science’s reproducibility and replicability crisis: International business is not immune. Journal of International Business Studies, 48(6), 653-663.

Alvesson, M., & Gabriel, Y. (2013). Beyond formulaic research: In praise of greater diversity in organizational research and publications. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 12, 245-263.

Arnold, D. G. (2021). Universal research ethics and international business studies. Journal of International Business Studies, 52, 1229-1237.

Beugelsdijk, S., van Witteloostuijn, A., & Mayer, K. E. (2020). A new approach to data access and research transparency (DART). Journal of International Business Studies, 51, 887-905.

Buckley, P.J., Doh, J.P., & Benischke, M.H. (2017). Towards a renaissance in international business research? Big questions, grand challenges, and the future of IB scholarship. Journal of International Business Studies, 48, 1045-1064.

Cerar, J., Nell, P. C., & Reiche, B. S. (2021). The declining share of primary data and the neglect of the individual level in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 52(7), 1365-1374.

Cuervo-Cazurra, A., Andersson, U., Brannen, M. Y., Nielsen, B., & Reuber, R. (2016). From the Editors: Can I trust your findings? Ruling out alternative explanations in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 47(8), 881–897.

Dau, L. A., Santagelo, G. D., & `van Witteloostuijn, A. (2022). Replication studies in international business. Journal of International Business Studies, 53, 215-230.

Delios, A. 2017. The death and rebirth (?) of international business research. Journal of Management Studies, 54, 391-397.

Eden, L. (2010). Letter from the editor in chief: scientists behaving badly. Journal of International Business Studies, 41(4), 561–566.

Hoffman, A. J. (2021). The engaged scholar: Expanding the impact of academic research in today’s world. Stanford University Press.

Nielsen, B. B., Welch, C., Chidlow, A., Miller, S. R., Aguzzoli, R., Gardner, E., ... & Pegoraro, D. (2020). Fifty years of methodological trends in JIBS: Why future IB research needs more triangulation. Journal of International Business Studies, 51(9), 1478-1499.

Meyer, K., van Witteloostuijn, A., & Beugelsdijk, S. (2017). What is in a p? Reassessing best practices for conducting and reporting hypothesis-testing research. Journal of International Business Studies, 48(5), 535–551.

Montiel, I., Cuervo-Cazurra, A., Park, J., Antolín-López, R., & Husted, B. W. (2021). Implementing the United Nations' sustainable development goals in international business. Journal of International Business Studies, 52(5), 999-1030.

Responsible Research in Business and Management (2017). A Vision for Responsible Research in Business and Management: Striving for Useful and Credible Knowledge,  Download from https://rrbm.network/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Position-Paper_revised_8April2020.pdf

Tihanyi, L. (2020). From “That’s interesting” to “that’s important”. Academy of Management Journal, 63(2), 329-331.

Tsui, A., & McKiernan, P. (2022) Understanding Scientific Freedom & Scientific Responsibility in Business & Management Research. Journal of Management Studies, 59(6), 1604-1627.

United Nations (2015) General Assembly, Transforming our world: The 2013 Agenda for Sustainable Development, A/RES/70/1: https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/generalassembly/docs/globalcompact/A_RES_70_1_E.pdf

Wickert, C., Post, C., Doh, J. P., Prescott, J. E., & Prencipe, A. (2021). Management research that makes a difference: Broadening the meaning of impact. Journal of Management Studies, 58(2), 297-320.