Call for papers: "The Changing Face of Competition between Asian and European Firms"

For a special issue of the International Journal of Business Environment.

One of the most interesting phenomena that has recently emerged in the international economic and financial arena is the new role played by emerging economies as global investors. Multinational corporations from emerging and developing economies are becoming important players in the globalised world economy and have embarked upon rapid globalisation processes targeting industrialised economies, particularly in North America, Australia and Europe.

Host European countries increasingly face an array of challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of emerging economies’ multinationals. However, the ascent of emerging multinationals onto the world stage is not necessarily entirely without frictions. In this context, the rise of emerging multinationals enhances competitive pressures, and one therefore needs to better understand the implications these pressures have on strategic development by European companies in Europe, Asia and in the rest of the world.

The rise of multinational companies from emerging and developing economies also has significant effects on their home countries. Similarly, counter-strategies of established European firms require further and continuous analysis.

Simultaneously, a vast amount of research has been devoted to the analysis of emerging opportunities in Asian markets/economies. The Asian region offers an exciting and high-growth opportunity for businesses, coupled with the fact that economic turmoil is currently being experienced in the European market.

Apart from hard market facts usually covered in research on the business environment in Asia, this special issue aims to provide different perspectives on doing business in Asia, especially China, Korea and India. In analysing the business environment in those countries it will emphasise aspects of innovation, learning, trust formation and corporate social responsibility as key ingredients to successful market performance.

This special issue will also include the reverse focus by critically analysing competitive strategies applied by European companies to compete and succeed in the face of increased competition with Asian firms.

Suitable topics include but are not limited to:

• Internationalisation or global strategies of companies from Asian emerging and developing economies
• Competitive strategies applied by European companies to compete and succeed in the face of increased competition
• The changing face of international business and the impact of home and host economies
• Challenges of international collaborative strategies towards innovation, learning, trust formation and corporate social responsibility between European and Asian firms
• Examination of knowledge transfer processes across borders that involve Asian emerging economies
• Strategies towards innovation and innovation commercialisation (in emerging markets)
• Localisation practices by companies sourcing and operating in Asian emerging economies and by new Asian multinationals in Europe
• Sustainable and responsible HRM global staffing practices by Asian and European firms

Important Dates

Paper submission deadline: 17 January, 14
First round of review due: 28 February, 14
Minor/major revisions due: 30 April, 14
Notification of acceptance/rejection: 30 June, 14
Submission of final paper: 15 July, 14