Trends in International Business Research: Twenty-Five Years Later

Abstract

International business (IB) research has made enormous strides in the quarter century since JIBS was inaugurated. This article reflects upon the development of IB research during that period. It first reviews the findings and recommendations of a comprehensive survey of the embryonic field of IB research, conducted twenty-five years ago. Several early trends identified then are discussed: the astonishing acceleration in the pace of IB research; the broadening of research activity across a greater range of functional areas; and an expanding geographic base of research outside of North America, especially in Europe. We then discuss the evolution of IB research since that formative period: growing breadth and diversity; greater methodological sophistication; a move toward research transcending traditional functional boundaries; development of new research areas such as management information systems and international coalitions and alliances; research on the phenomenon of transnational firms as complete systems; and the continued broadening of the geographic base of research. Emerging research areas such as international entrepreneurship and small business, and the greening of business, are identified. The article concludes with calls for more research collaboration across national boundaries, and for greater synthesis of research into broader, more integrative frameworks. The twenty-fifth anniversary issue of the Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS) is an appropriateoccasion on which to reflect on the past quarter century of internationalbusiness research. How did the world of international business research look in that formative period? How far have we actually *RichardW. Wrightis Professorof International Business and Financeon the Facultyof Management,McGill University.His researchfocuses on global competitive strategies, with emphasison the competitivepositioningof Japanesefirms.

Entrepreneurship, export orientation, and economic growth

“…This suggests that in particular export-driven new ventures will contribute to the generation of knowledge spillovers, increased competition, and increased diversity, ultimately resulting in higher economic growth rates. These findings further underline the relevance of making a distinction between exportoriented and nonexporting new ventures in international entrepreneurship research and provide additional support for studying cross-border behavior of new ventures (McDougall 1989;McDougall and Oviatt 2000;Oviatt and McDougall 1994Wright and Ricks 1994). We examine the role of domestic and exportdriven new ventures in GDP growth for two groups of countries: higher-income economies and lowerincome economies.…”

Economic nationalism and foreign acquisition completion: The case of China

“…Third, targeting high-tech industries, and poorly performing companies, and shunning from foreign capital intensive sectors are also strategies to have successful M&A in China. There are more strategic considerations, for example to build the corporate image better, and adapt corporate structure and capability to cater for the changing needs of hosts (Wright & Ricks, 1994).…”

Born Global Firms: Evolution of a Contemporary Phenomenon

“…This new field has gained considerable momentum, as reflected by the appearance of several special issues on this field in various academic journals. Scholars have produced various multidimensional research in the new field (e.g., Giamartino et al, 1993;McDougall & Oviatt, 2000;Oviatt & McDougall, 1994, 1997Rialp et al, 2005;Wright & Ricks, 1994). Two principle research streams can be distinguished in international entrepreneurship: (1) the growing international role played by born-global type ventures and (2) the international, entrepreneurial activities of more traditional, established companies (e.g., Lu & Beamish, 2001;Zahra & George, 2002).…”