Research methods in international business: The challenge of complexity

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Eden, Lorraine; Nielsen, Bo Bernhard
• 署名单位: Texas A&M University System; Texas A&M University College Station; Mays Business School; University of Sydney; Copenhagen Business School
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2506
• DOI: 10.1057/s41267-020-00374-2
• 发表日期: 2020
• 页码: 1609-1620
• 关键词: international business research; complexity; multiplicity; MULTIPLEXITY; dynamism; difference; distance; diversity; disparity; research methods; methodology

摘要

International business (IB) research is designed to explore and explain the inherent complexity of international business, which arises from the multiplicity of entities, multiplexity of interactions, and dynamism of the global economic system. To analyze this complexity, IB scholars have developed four research lenses: difference, distance, diversity, and disparity. These four lenses on complexity have created not only unique research opportunities for IB scholarship but also unique research methodological challenges. We therefore view complexity as the underlying cause of the unique methodological challenges facing international business research. We offer several recommendations to help IB scholars embrace this complexity and conduct reliable, interesting, and practically relevant research.