JIBP seeks to publish manuscripts that explore new academic ground, rather than merely making an incremental contribution to our understanding of international business policy. Manuscripts should identify novel policy issues or dilemmas; build arguments on prior research to highlight what is interesting and different; and clearly identify their contribution to international business policy research.
JIBP does not publish manuscripts that study the economic impact of a specific policy (e.g. an Australia-China free trade agreement) without clearly demonstrating how it improves our understanding of broader international business policy issues. We also do not accept studies which criticize previous work without providing new insights into how the limitations of previous work can be resolved. Indeed, JIBP is interested in papers that are constructive in nature, and which suggest how our established theories or received understandings of issues related to international business policy can be positively revised and improved.
JIBP welcomes submissions that contribute to our understanding of international business policy in any of the following five policy areas: 1. international business promotion 2. foreign business attraction 3. industrial policy 4. social and development policy and 5. transnational governance. Studies may focus on identifying issues or dilemmas that are relevant for a policy area, and involve one of the main modalities of international business, namely trade and foreign direct investment. For example, an empirical study comparing the pollution intensities of MNE affiliates and local firms could generate insights that are pertinent for the framing of an emerging country’s foreign business attraction and/or social and development policy. Alternatively, manuscripts may focus on measuring the effectiveness and impact of a specific IB policy for business and the wider economy. For example, an empirical study examining the effectiveness of trade adjustment assistance could help determine the policy’s usefulness for countering trade-related worker displacement.
A paper is applicable for JIBP when the core arguments developed and examined are inherently linked to international business, either at the level of the firm, or at the aggregate level of industries and economies. Thus, a study on “How does trade policy affect gender inequality?” or “Do NGO actions in the host country affect MNE wages and employment?” would qualify as potentially relevant for JIBP. Conversely, studies that investigate the impact of industrial policy on gender issues or the effect of NGO actions on local firms would not qualify as appropriate for JIBP.
JIBP seeks to examine international business policy issues from a variety of lenses and perspectives. We encourage the submission of manuscripts from individuals with different academic (e.g. economics, public policy, law) and professional (e.g. policy practitioner, NGO) backgrounds. We accept papers using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Analytical reviews covering the academic and gray literature on a given policy issue are also welcome. The journal's only requirements are that manuscripts must be well documented, rigorous, balanced, and above all, policy relevant.
JIBP does not publish manuscripts about teaching materials/methods or manuscripts aimed solely at a practitioner audience. Manuscripts that do not aim to improve the knowledge necessary for developing effective international business policies should not be sent to JIBP.
Submissions to JIBP must comply with the AIB Journal Code of Ethics and follow the journal’s Style Guide, including formatting, length and references. Poorly written or structured papers will be promptly returned to the authors.
