AIB Journals Podcast

This podcast explores how global corporations manage disruptions from sudden geopolitical conflicts and international sanctions. Using the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war as a real-world case study, we unpack how and why some multinational companies completely pull out of Russia, while others freeze or continue operations. Get ready to discover how companies navigate the threat of "cross-border stigma" and reconfigure their core business capabilities to survive geopolitical disruptions.

Citation: Sawant, R.J., Ameyaw, AK., Treviño, L.J. & Li, Y. (2026). Multinational enterprises’ strategic responses to geopolitical tensions and sanctions. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00891-6

In this podcast, we explore the wild demographic split dividing our planet, where aging superpowers rapidly shrink while developing nations experience massive youth booms. You will discover how global businesses navigate this divided landscape by relocating capital and adopting smart automation just as national borders tighten. Tune in to see how leaders must completely rethink global trade and policy before this demographic divide triggers massive economic turmoil.

Citation: Beugelsdijk, S., Narula, R. (2026). Navigating a demographically bifurcated multipolar world: labor, capital, and the multinational firm. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-026-00252-y

This episode uncovers the "career shock" felt by experts when war suddenly turns their specialized knowledge into a professional liability. We follow the journey of professionals whose identities were shattered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, revealing how they pivoted from being "insiders" to finding entirely new roles. It’s a powerful look at individual resilience and the surprising ways people reinvent themselves when the geopolitical ground shifts beneath their feet.

Citation: Outila, V., Piekkari, R., & Reade, C. (2026). Rising from the Ashes of Geopolitical Conflict: New Career Identities of Finnish Experts on Russia. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.159468.

This podcast episode explores the "dark side" of international business, revealing how a company’s choice of tax haven can either be seen as a savvy growth strategy or a major reputational disaster. We dive into why stakeholders are much more forgiving of big-name hubs like Ireland but quickly turn suspicious when firms set up shop in tiny, secretive "dot" islands. Finally, we’ll see how a country’s own "bad reputation" for corruption or tax dodging can rub off on the companies operating there, making it harder than ever for global giants to hide their financial footprints.

Citation: Nardella, G., Jones, C., Brammer, S. & Temouri, Y. (2026). In a ‘bad’ place? Location and the relationship between tax haven use and corporate reputation. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00855-w

In this episode we are breaking down the precarious future of the global order. We will explore three alternative scenarios that could emerge from the retreat of unipolar US hegemony: competitive bipolarity, collaborative dual hegemony, or a direct hegemonic power transition to China. We will also unpack how these structural shifts asymmetrically impact global firms, highlighting why export-oriented producers and multinationals face severe near-term fragmentation while local import-competing businesses find a rare advantage.

Citation: Grosse, R., & Gamso, J. (2026). US–China power dynamics and business strategies. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-026-00241-1

Meet the "Leaping Multinationals", a new breed of companies like Shein and Transsion that conquer global markets while staying completely invisible in their own home countries. Driven by fierce domestic competition and a knack for extreme localization, these firms skip the traditional "home-first" playbook to find riches in underserved regions like Africa or Southeast Asia. This episode uncovers their secret four-stage strategy for turning "foreignness" into a competitive edge on the world stage.

Citation: Pangarkar, N., & Jain, N. K. (2026). Leaping Multinationals: A New Breed? AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.157599.

Have you ever wondered if a ruthless dictator or a fiery democracy is actually better for business? This fascinating study of 144 countries uncovers a "U-shaped" reality where both highly stable autocracies and hyper-competitive democracies are masters at attracting foreign investment, while those stuck in the middle often struggle. Applying the Nobel-Prize-winning Acemoglu-Robinson framework to FDI reveals how the hunt for power, and the pressure of rising inequality is now shaping the global economy in ways you’d never expect.

Citation: Maimone Ansaldo Patti, D., Mudambi, R. & Navarra, P. (2026). Do political systems affect economic outcomes? The geography of inward FDI and its relationships with growth and inequality. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00849-8

How can scholars and policymakers better navigate an increasingly complex and contested global economy? Learn about the challenges and the opportunities that emerge as the global economic order undergoes profound transformation. B0ringing together perspectives from multiple disciplines, this episode aims to deepen IB scholarship’s understanding of how geopolitical shifts, evolving policy frameworks, and changing patterns of economic interdependence are reshaping the environment in which international business operates. 

Citation: JIBP Special Collection on "Assessing the Post-Globalization Blues: What Might the New World Order Mean for International Business?" https://link.springer.com/collections/gcigeifchc