A Scientometric Analysis of Institutions in the International Business Research

Abstract

This paper explores the co-evolution of international business studies and institutions, employing a scientometric approach and bibliometric review on the application of institutional concepts in international business studies, outlining a research agenda. We compiled a database of 3,520 articles and conducted a scientometric analysis to examine the evolution of the term “institutions” in international business in ABS-ranked journals. Our findings show that (1) over the past two decades, there has been a shift in the use of the term institutions from a political and economic connotation to a sociological perspective to explain how firms adopt strategies, make decisions, and address intra-national problems during the internationalization process; (2) traditional approaches were found to be insufficient in explaining context-dependent events that affect international business; and (3) China has emerged as a critical player in international business studies, which has helped to redirect the focus of institutions from political and economic aspects to the sociological context. Finally, we propose an agenda for future research, highlighting potential pitfalls and remedies.