International Business Research: A Retrospective~!2008-08-29~!2008-11-08~!2008-12-03~!

Abstract

IB knowledge development is assessed via a survey of 1686 articles published from 1992 to 2002 in six influential IB serials. Specifically, this survey identifies (1) prolific authors and their institutions, (2) author demographics and collaborations, (3) major research streams and recent discipline evolution, and (4) research designs and statistical methods used. Such inquiry can reveal the current state of IB research, and suggest editorial mandates and future research directions.

The international business landscape: a look at paradigms, research gaps and new realities

“…Notably, the mentality of IB scholars, in this case, echoes prior arguments that scholars are highly concentrated on the firm. Furthermore, Hyman et al (2008) reinforce the gap in research, noting that scholars in IB face the challenge of shaping novel viewpoints and originating new or improved methodologies. In consensus with Buckley (2002) and Sullivan and Daniels (2008), the scholars augment the need to enhance rigour in IB research, observing that the development in IB methodology falls behind its theory development.…”

“…Notably, the mentality of IB scholars, in this case, echoes prior arguments that scholars are highly concentrated on the firm. Furthermore, Hyman et al. (2008) reinforce the gap in research, noting that scholars in IB face the challenge of shaping novel viewpoints and originating new or improved methodologies.…”

“…Still, the number of publications is uneven, with some countries showing higher activity than others. Samples are focused almost entirely on Asia, Europe and North America, leaving Africa as the least studied region (Baena et al, 2020;Buckley and Lessard, 2005;Buckley and Casson, 2021;Griffith et al, 2008;Hyman et al, 2008;Ratten et al, 2020).…”

“…They have been accused of having no controls, utilising simplistic approaches and seem to be restricted in their findings (Buckley and Casson, 2021;Richter and Hauff, 2022). It appears that there is no specific approach to IB inquiry to date, but scholars place prominence on carrying out rigorous research that can have equivalent standing with other areas of inquiry (Buckley and Casson, 2021;Ferreira et al, 2013;Franke and Richey, 2010;Hyman et al, 2008;Yang et al, 2006).…”

“…One country sample is predominant in IB research and may lead to unreliable findings. To progress the rigour of IB research, the scope needs to be widened (Buckley, 2002;Buckley and Casson, 2021;Ferreira et al, 2013;Hyman et al, 2008;Marcos, 2010;Yang et al, 2006). Franke and Richey (2010) posit that a key tactic for refining IB generalisations is to utilise larger samples of countries, because research based on a common sample may cause generalisations that the findings are unable to justify.…”