AIB Journals Podcast

Seizing windows of opportunity in green global value chains

Middle-income countries are rushing to stake their claim in the booming green economy, but the real prize lies in moving beyond simply “joining” global value chains to actually upgrading within them. Solar, wind, and bioenergy projects are opening doors, yet lasting gains come only when governments blend demand incentives, supply support, and technology policies in the right mix. The message is clear: seizing green windows of opportunity isn’t automatic. Instead, it takes bold, well-crafted industrial strategies to turn participation into real power.

Citation: Lema, R., Rabellotti, R. & Ambrogi, J. (2025). Seizing windows of opportunity in green global value chains: the role of industrial policies in middle-income countries. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00219-5

Charitable Bribes? The Concealed Form of Corporate Influence and a Road to Greater Transparency Worldwide

Behind the glossy façade of philanthropy, corporations are funneling millions into charities tied to politicians, turning donations into covert power plays. From South Korea’s explosive Choi-gate scandal to U.S. defense contractors funding pet causes of lawmakers, the cases show a global pattern of “charitable bribes” reshaping corruption’s playbook. This investigation reveals how firms dodge scrutiny, distort competition, and why transparency is now the frontline battle in corporate influence.

Citation: Jeong, Y., & Siegel, J. 2025. Charitable Bribes? The Concealed Form of Corporate Influence and a Road to  Greater Transparency Worldwide. AIB Insights, 25(4). https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.143042.

A Social Influence View of the Internationalization of Cultural Products

Why do some films find success globally while others fizzle out? This podcast dives into the hidden power of social influence such as how critics, stars, and even press freedom can make or break a movie’s international success, discussing a recent article that studies how cultural industries expand internationally.  

Citation: Huang, X., Fan, D. & Soo, C. (2025). A social influence view of the internationalization of cultural products. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00797-9

Low-emission hydrogen: global value chain opportunities for latecomers and industrial policy challenges

Hydrogen is being hailed as the fuel of the future, but the real story is how latecomer countries are racing to grab a slice of the action. From Namibia to India, governments are rolling out bold strategies to turn sun, wind, and gas into global exports, green industries, and even new tech niches. The contest isn’t just about clean energy. It is about rewriting industrial policy and reshaping who gets to win in the next energy revolution.

Citation: Altenburg, T.,&  Strohmaier, R. (2025). Low-emission hydrogen: global value chain opportunities for latecomers and industrial policy challenges. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00217-7

International Business Education in the Age of Disruption

Global crises, climate shocks, and AI advances are challenging the old rules of management education, leaving leaders scrambling to keep up. A new teaching approach called the “fire-mindset” offers a path forward by focusing on curiosity, intellectual rigor, and co-creation of knowledge in the face of disruption. It’s a call to rewire how we teach international business so future leaders can better navigate through an unpredictable world.

Citation: Hasse, V.C. (2025). International Business Education in the Age of Disruption. AIB Insights, https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.143158

Space: a new frontier for international business

Space is becoming a new frontier for business, with both private companies and governments eager to explore and exploit its resources. The Space economy is rapidly expanding and is projected to reach nearly $3 trillion by 2045. This shift from exploration to exploitation presents new challenges and opportunities; this podcast episode discusses a recent JIBS article that provides a perspective on how businesses and scholars need to rethink IB to address these changes.

Citation: Raswant, A., Nielsen, B.B. & Buckley, P.J. (2025). Space: a new frontier for international business. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00783-1

Navigating industrial policy and global value chains in an era of disruptions

Discussing the introductory editorial to a new JIBP special issue on industrial policy and global value chains, this podcast uncovers how firms are navigating backlash, bias, and political headwinds abroad, as their focus shifts from economic prosperity to security in light of recent global disruptions. 

Citation: Gereffi, G., Pananond, P., Tell, F. et al. Navigating industrial policy and global value chains in an era of disruptions. Journal of International Business Policy (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00223-9

How Really Unique Are Emerging Markets and Their Firms?

Emerging markets (EMs) have become a focal point of academic inquiry and policy interest as they complement and sometimes even challenge established paradigms based on developed economies. International Business scholars, practitioners, and policymakers have long debated how unique emerging markets and their firms are, and if this uniqueness warrants or requires special attention, distinct policies, and new theories. Developed in cooperation with the AIB Emerging Markets Special Interest Group, this AIB Insights special issue explores these questions, articulating novel and actionable insights to understand EMs’ distinctiveness. Our introductory editorial to this issue briefly discusses the nature and dimensions of the uniqueness of emerging markets and their firms. It then surveys the seven issue articles, highlighting their main findings and insights. Given current global developments, the significance of EMs and their firms is likely to grow further, underscoring the importance of continued academic and practical focus on them.

Citation: Awate, S., Brandl, K., Hobdari, B., & Newburry, W. 2025. How Really Unique Are Emerging Markets and Their Firms? AIB Insights, 25(3). https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.137979.