AIB Journals Podcast

Dive into the high-stakes world of international business to discover if foreign investment is the green gift that emerging economies desperately need to fight climate change. This podcast explores groundbreaking research across 31 countries, revealing that while foreign-owned firms are more likely to adopt eco-friendly management, this green effect only kicks in when the money comes from environmentally conscious nations. Learn why your favorite global brands are leading the charge in manufacturing but still struggling to make a green impact in the service sector.

Citation: Kannen, P., Semrau, F.O. & Steglich, F. (2026). Green gifts from abroad? FDI and firms’ green management. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00228-4

This podcast argues that International Business (IB) education must evolve beyond traditional classroom theories to address the wicked problems of the 21st century, such as climate change and global inequality. The authors propose an integrated pedagogical framework that combines experiential learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a focus on societal impact to prepare students for a fragmented global landscape. Ultimately, the study suggests that by bridging the gap between academic research and real-world practice, IB programs can empower future leaders to drive sustainable value creation rather than just corporate profit.

Citation: Avendano, J., Usta, H., & Kundu, S. K. (2026). Enhancing International Business Education Through Faculty Development in International Business Programs. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.155724.

This study examines how the mandatory disclosure of the CEO-to-employee pay ratio affects corporate behavior, specifically finding that firms with high ratios often face negative reactions from consumers and employees. Rather than significantly lowering executive pay, many companies respond to these transparency requirements by subtly adjusting their workforce or outsourcing low-wage roles to improve their reported numbers. Ultimately, while intended to curb inequality, the authors argue that without broader institutional pressure, these disclosures may lead to strategic window-dressing rather than a fundamental shift in how wealth is distributed within global corporations.

Citation: Jiang, K., Jia, Y., Tsui, A.S., & Yu, J. (2026). CEO-to-employee pay ratios, societal-level income inequality, and citizens’ subjective well-being. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00841-2

French and EU policies promoting a circular economy have prompted multinational textile lead firms to integrate minor, compliance-driven adaptations into their existing linear models, though these changes rarely alter the geography of their global production networks. In contrast, "born-circular" firms embed sustainability at their core and attempt to build regional supply chains, yet they remain limited in scale due to significant technical and commercial constraints. To bridge these operational gaps, a new ecosystem of "middle-of-the-chain" intermediaries has emerged to facilitate recycling, repair, and the transition toward more localized, inter-sectoral value chains.

Citation: Curran, L., & Joltreau, T. (2026). The impact of circular economy policies on business models within global value chains: a study of the French textile industry. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00238-2

What does it really take to set yourself on the path toward a meaningful and impactful research career during your PhD? Through the lens of sensing, seizing, and transforming as mechanisms for navigating developmental opportunities, this episode explores how doctoral students, can move beyond core PhD training to build the skills, networks, and scholarly identity needed for impactful research careers. We unpack practical “scaffolding techniques,” from interdisciplinary exposure and international experiences to strategic co-authorship, peer review, and methodological training, that help bridge the gap between core academic training and real-world relevance. 

Join us as we discuss how the next generation of scholars can navigate institutional barriers to contribute more effectively to the global community.

Citation: Boncheva, K., Gadhia, M., Mans, T., Morales Marenco, M. J., Shukran, K., et al. (2025). Sensing, Seizing, Transforming: A Student Perspective on Enhancing IB Doctoral Education for Meaningful Scholarship. AIB Insights, 25(5). https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.153860.

This podcast explores how managers in Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) navigate the matrix of conflicting demands between global headquarters and local subsidiaries. The authors identify how complex reporting lines and shifting corporate priorities can trap managers in a cycle of ambiguity, hindering effective decision-making and strategic agility. To break free, the paper suggests that firms must simplify their organizational structures and empower local leaders to prioritize market responsiveness over rigid internal bureaucracy.

Citation: Conroy, K.M., & Collings, D.G. (2026). Trapped in the MNE matrix: liminal identity at the local–corporate–global nexus. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00817-8

Voluntary sustainability standards, which set private rules for ethical and green production, diffuse most successfully in countries with robust trade, technical assistance, and financial institutions that help local firms manage the high costs of compliance. While strong social protection systems also correlate with a higher presence, the research reported in this podcast surprisingly found no link between a country's environmental stewardship and the adoption of these standards. Ultimately, these results suggest that global sustainability organizations act as extensions of corporate sourcing strategies, prioritizing locations with the business infrastructure necessary to make "sustainable" production commercially viable.

Citation: Ferretti, T., Manivannan, A. & Marques, J.C. (2026). Advancing the understanding of voluntary sustainability standard organizations’ geographic diffusion: the role of national institutions in global agrifood. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00233-7

In today’s episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is sparking a revolutionary energy transition across the African continent. Today, we examine how "collaborative governance", which is a partnership between state governments and private businesses, can overcome infrastructure gaps and financial hurdles to power a more sustainable future. Join us as we discuss how smart grids and predictive analytics are not just high-tech dreams, but essential tools for bringing reliable electricity to millions.

Citation: Kearns, S., & Maksimov, V. (2025). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Africa’s Energy Transition: A Collaborative Governance Perspective. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.146526.