Adam Smith's theory of knowledge and international business theory and practice

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Buckley, Peter J.
• 署名单位: University of Leeds; University of International Business & Economics
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2506
• DOI: 10.1057/jibs.2013.44
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 102-109
• 关键词: history of thought; integration of pre-existing theoretical approaches; decision-making; Cultural distance; emerging-market multinationals; Adam Smith

摘要

This paper demonstrates that Adam Smith's insights and reasoning can improve the theory of international business, and shed light on its academic practices. Smith was a system builder; his theory of knowledge underpinned his entire oeuvre, and understanding his systematic approach can help current international business to achieve a similarly coherent body of theory. Smith's approach sheds direct light on decision-making in multinational enterprises, and on cultural distance (the liability of foreignness). Combining these two areas yields new Smithian insights into multinational enterprises from emerging countries.