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60 Exceptional International Business Topics To Score High

International business is today one of the most eyed professions in the world. As businesses continue to invest globally, it becomes necessary to explore markets in other parts of the world. But i t is not easy to write a research paper for a high grade. With that in mind, we explore global business topics to help you complete your business paper in no time.

What Is International Business?

It is an academic field that gives students an understanding of globalization in the different business management practices found worldwide. International business also prepares the students for graduate careers working abroad or in organizations engaged in business on a global scale.

How To Write International Business Topics

To outsmart your peers in such a paper, following the guidelines below in choosing a top-notch topic:

Have a topic that you have an interest in Avoiding picking narrow or broad-based topics Choose one that is based on the current affairs in the world of business Explore annual reports, periodicals, and news articles for unique topic ideas Ensure that the topic has sufficient sources

The structure of your topic will also determine whether it is viable or not. Reading previous international business topics will also give you an idea of coming up with a top-rated topic. However, we have 60 impressive ideas to jumpstart your international business paper.

Captivating International Business Topics

Why do most international companies prefer candidates with a Master’s degree?
The role of digitization in enhancing international businesses
How the coronavirus has made the international business a risky venture
Considerations when choosing to invest in developing countries
How e-commerce has made international business more accessible and manageable
Market segmentation as a factor in international business ventures

International Business Research Paper Topics For College Students

The impact of off-shore business accounts in combating corruption
How terrorism affects international businesses
The role of modern technologies in enhancing international businesses
What is the implication of the stock market exchange in international business?
How to strategically manage global business ventures in the technological age
How does cultural imperialism affect the effectiveness of the business in the international arena?

International Business Research Topics For High School Students

Discuss the impact of political upheavals in international business
Discuss the ethical dilemmas in conducting businesses globally
Why is Coca-Cola making inroads in the international world of business?
Evaluate the best HR management strategies for global businesses
Legislations and policies among countries that inhibit the performance of global companies
Does the presence of international companies on social media have an impact on their market?

Business Topics For Research Paper in Digital Marketing

The role of digital marketing in flourishing international businesses
Designing business strategies for international digital marketing
The impact of search engine optimization in increasing the online presence of international businesses
What is the effectiveness of email marketing for international businesses
The rise of site, video, and game advertising in international business marketing techniques.
The aggressiveness of paid reviews or articles and hiring influencers in digital advertising

Current Topics in International Business

How are mergers and acquisitions transforming international businesses?
Supply chain management and logistics in international companies – a case study of the risks involved
Training and development strategies in developing economies
Risks associated with global banking systems
How are regional trade blocks instrumental in international businesses?
How the World Bank and IMF are essential in facilitating international business ventures

International Business Research Papers For Master’s Students

How organizational culture is essential in innovation management
Impacts of employee turnover and measures of addressing them
How intercultural differences affect consumption patterns
How emerging small and medium business enterprises can get funding
Analysis of the Coca-Cola marketing strategy
The running of international non-governmental organizations: A case study of Red Cross

International Business Topics For Projects

Marketing strategies that have made KFC a global brand
The role of corporate leadership in international companies
How governments impact international trade
Impact of pandemics on international businesses
Effects of corruption on global business ventures
The success of Amazon as a global internet company

Hot Global Business Topics

Penetration of Chinese investors in Africa
An overview of the horticulture Industry
The rise of mask production companies
Impacts of crypto-currencies on international businesses
Who assesses the quality of products in the international markets?
The effect of BREXIT on global markets

International Business Research Topics List

Impact of war on global businesses
Economic consequences of Trump’s administration
How does artificial intelligence take part in the global market
A case analysis of companies that have succeeded and failed in the global arena
How labeling the country of origin on products affects its sales
Impacts of legislation on tobacco and marijuana globally

If you need help with research paper , our expert writers are here for you. Order your paper online now and enjoy first-class business papers. Contact us with a “ do my research paper for me ” request for quality assistance. Get the best grades with our professional writers!

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International Business Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 4th, 2023 , Revised On July 18, 2024

Most students find it difficult to select the perfect international business dissertation topic for their dissertation project. In fact, many students end up choosing very narrow and specific topics due to the vastness of the field and the growing issues within the field of international business.

We understand that choosing a suitable international business dissertation topic may not be a straightforward task for many students, so we have compiled a list of the perfect international business issues you can explore and address as part of your research.

We aim to empower our students with the knowledge and abilities needed to choose an international business research paper or dissertation topic. At ResearchProspect , we help students with their research proposal and the full dissertation paper.

You may want to read about our business writers to see how we can help ease your workload. Check our free example dissertations and free business and business management dissertation examples to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation.

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International Business Dissertation Topics For 2024

MNCs’ use of a standardised approach to business strategy
Impact of the coronavirus outbreak on global business operations
Management and globalisation governance appendix
Factors affecting MNCs’ decision about their corporate political approach in emerging economies
effects of corporate globalisation on their foreign business activities
MNCs and the consequences of culture
Effects of the evolving international legal environment on MNCs
MNCs’ methods for entering emerging markets
Challenges to the global banking system’s security brought on by Toyota’s Total Quality Management
Foreign workers’ challenges and opportunities in a global strategy
The value of English as an international business language and the reasons Chinese companies win contracts in Africa
A quantitative study of the Canadian Honey Industry
the US auto industry’s expansion under the Trump Administration
fake honey’s effects on the world’s honey business
Management quality in global markets
Coronavirus and BREXIT’s effects on the world’s aviation sector
Impact of corporate privatisation on worldwide marketplaces
Branding’s function in the global tourism sector
Information technology management for global businesses
Effects of efficient human resource management in global businesses
Impact of efficient channels for corporate communication in global companies
Acceptableness of government engagement in creating CSR restrictions
Result of senior management interference in a company’s plans
When accidents are every day, can the economic model for developing driverless cars still be viable?
How social media branding gives companies a competitive edge in the age of globalisation
Value ramifications of multinationals’ cross-border expansion trends in emerging markets
How do public disclosure policies affect corporate operations management in a more globalised society?
The elements affecting the success of building firms in the United Arab Emirates
Important aspects for Carrefour to succeed in the current global market
financial options for developing small and medium-sized businesses
The impact of legislation on the marketing and production of tobacco.
Is the government gaining revenue from the war?
Companies that are successful both nationally and internationally.
It is acquiring knowledge of the global IT market and sector.
The impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

Final Words

Choosing the best international business dissertation topic in your graduate programme is a prerequisite to writing a first class dissertation paper.

Are you having trouble deciding what to write about for your dissertation or how to choose a topic? Search no further; we can assist you not only with the topic selection but the full process.

We have 1000s of satisfied customers when it comes to writing a dissertation . It’s your time to put your trust in us to provide you with the best topic and dissertation on international business that you deserve.

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How to find international business dissertation topics.

For international business dissertation topics:

Study global economic trends.
Analyze cross-border challenges.
Explore trade and market dynamics.
Research cultural influences.
Examine multinational strategies.
Select a topic aligning with your expertise and career aspirations.

80+ International Business Research Paper Topics With Samples

Business students who look for academic paper topics have a great variety of subjects to choose from. International business research paper topics are one of the options. We’ve gathered the collection below to inspire you and give you some ideas about your future paper. If you need some help with your assignment, you can always buy research paper online and follow the example. You can also check out our examples of business research papers – follow the links in our list!

The list is quite impressive – more than 80 examples of research paper topics about business from our college paper writer . Good luck finding your perfect idea!

International business topics for research papers on general concepts

You might want to write a paper on your own or be ready to pay for a research paper , but in any case, you need a good topic. You can choose from the list above or create your own title based on one of them.

What are the main business cycles and how do they affect world economics?
Why are master programs in international business popular among applicants?
How does social media affect international business activity?
How do modern technologies affect international business?
How does e-commerce affect international business?
What is cultural imperialism? Is it caused by international business?
What structures are available to international business?
How does the foreign exchange market work?
How does terrorism affect global economics?
The importance of strategic management in international business.
How does shadow banking affect global financial stability?
List and analyze three advantages and disadvantages of international business.

International business research paper topics on companies

When you’re writing a paper, narrowing the topic is always useful. For instance, if you need essays about sharks it’s better to choose one particular shark species; as well, if you need music research topics , it’s better to choose a particular genre or musician. For the business topics, one of the options is to focus on a company.

How does BBC get profits from the Olympic Games?
International eBay business.
Toyota company: value chain model.
Zara company: international business case study .
Apple Inc.: the role of social media marketing .
How does Disney enter the Chinese market?
International business: General Electric.
How did Walmart become internationally successful?
Competitive advantage theory: McDonald’s.
How did IKEA become international?
Give examples of companies that have failed on the international market but succeed on the national market. Why have they failed?
The soap company Savon de Marseille insists that the government should give them the label of originality because cheap Chinese and Turkish knockoffs try to force them out from the market. What should the government do in this case?

International business research paper topics for college students about countries

Sometimes the issues appear on the step when you need to write not a research itself but a research proposal. For such cases, you can use a research proposal writing service . Regardless of whether you desire to create the paper on your own or get help, our list of topics about countries is right here to inspire you.

Imitation jewelry business in India.
Why is it so hard to do business with Chinese?
The government policy toward international companies in Indonesia.
How does political lobbying in the USA affect international business?
Analyze the international business environment of Bahrain.
Expanding international business to Great Britain: pros and cons.
What is the business relationship between the USA and South Africa?
How does international business evolve in Saudi Arabia?
Is India an appropriate environment for international companies?
Indian companies in Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
What impact did the election of Donald Tramp have on international business in the USA?
Why is China essential for global business?
How do social systems in Arab countries affect international business?
International trade in Costa Rica.
China has advanced much further in mobile technologies than the US. What are the factors that influence the development of the mobile industry in China?
The economic impact of immigration in the United States in the last five years: How do immigrants affect the US economy in general?
How does Brexit influence the economics of the EU?
The British government has rejected the deal on a nuclear power station. Predict the economic consequences of this decision.
Try to explain why the prices on houses have increased after Brexit.

Argumentative business topics for research papers

The difficulties of argumentative papers mainly depend on the chosen topics. We don’t offer you such complicated cases as could be death penalty research paper but provide the list of titles which is easy to write about:

What will be the most important digital marketing trend.
Do cultural differences have an impact on international business relationships?
The importance of cryptocurrency for international companies.
What country is a leader in the international cocoa industry?
What ethical dilemmas are the most frequent when it comes to international business?
Is globalization coming to the end, and how should international companies react?
Should managers in international companies concentrate on the cultural similarities or differences more?
What are the main reasons for internationalizing of business?
What is the best strategy of cross-cultural negotiations?
What are the most common political risks for international companies?
What countries have the biggest influence in the global energy industry?
Should expatriate employees be a part of international HR strategy?
Should international companies have different standards for customer service?
What were the most effective advertising campaigns in 2016?
Which big international companies are likely to go bankrupt if they fail to change their strategy as soon as possible?
Do you think that all big companies should be present in social media?
What ways do you know to predict US recessions? Which of them is the most effective in your opinion?
The US government urges wars in Africa with the aim to distribute guns. Prove or disapprove this opinion.

Analytical business research paper topics for college students

When you choose proper research paper topics , it’s half of the success. That’s why we prepare a list of the topics that you can use or be inspired by.

How to bring a product into a new country successfully?
How to start an international business?
Describe and analyze three possible levels of involvement in international business.
How was international business possible without online trading?
What role does climate change play in international business development?
Explain why aviation has always been treated as a special case in international business.
How do different religions affect international business?
Describe and analyze three attitudes that managers might have toward international business.
Describe how regional trading alliances are reshaping the international business environment.
How do governments profit from war? What kinds of companies grow in the conditions of constant war?
What would be the consequences for the poor if all countries live only on the products that they manufacture?
There’s a tendency in logo design to change the shape of the design to flat. Who started doing this first and why?
What other languages besides English could be international languages for business?

Examples of research paper topics about business: definitions

Definitions are another way to make the topic narrower, as well as choosing for titles one of the research methods, such as qualitative research topics .

Define the abbreviation MNC.
What are the BRICS countries? What role do they play in international business?
What is an export credit guarantee?
Define “international business” and “international trade” and compare these terms.
Define the term “relationship marketing.” Is it important for international business?

Compare and contrast business topics for research papers

The choice of a good topic for your paper increases the chances that you will successfully cope with it. Research paper writing services can be a useful way to get a helping hand if you have troubles with your assignment.

Compare and contrast international business development in Eastern Europe and Western Europe.
Is there any difference between the decision-making in international and national companies?
Compare and contrast economic environments for the international businesses in China and USA.
Does business ethics in international companies differ from local businesses?

It’s hard to pick one option when you have so many of them. Need some help with your choice? Read the tips below!

Choosing business topics for research papers

If you are assigned to write a research paper, your primary task is to choose your topic. Even if you decide to look for research papers for sale , you will still need the particular topic to search on. So you should consider the following things:

– Even if your professor offers several topics, try to choose the one that interests you. – Ensure that your international business research paper topic isn’t too narrow or too general.

– You’ll find a lot of materials if you are looking for information on broad topics, and not enough facts in the latter case. – Once having chosen a subject, look through the library catalog and internet databases for good ideas. – Look up current events and news on international business sites. – Look through several reference books (handbooks, encyclopedias, reports, dictionaries) when choosing international business research paper topics. They will provide you with the necessary background information and general topic overview.

How to research business research paper topics

Your topic is chosen! Now, make sure you plan and conduct your research properly:

Determine the sources and materials within the particular time frame and other limitations.
Pay special attention to the supervisor’s assistance and a working bibliography.
Start data collecting at once after choosing a particular topic.
Ensure the quality of your resources.
Check the age of the source – it is extremely important when you are going to write a research paper on a relevant international business topic.

We hope that our instructions will make the whole writing process easier for you! If you need write my college essay help, you can get academic assistance at EssayShark.com!

International business research paper topics help

Business research papers are usually assigned to college and university students. This type of paper is a part of a student’s semester work and influences the final marks. So don’t forget about the plagiarism checker and AI writing checker before submitting your work. From the very beginning of the semester, supervisors put an emphasis on the importance of writing well-thought-out research papers.

If you can’t cope with academic writing on international business research paper topics, the best way out is to apply for assistance. EssayShark.com business essay writing service is there for you! You will never regret asking for help from our academic custom writing service. Just fill in the order form, write your specifications, and wait for the delivery. Business research paper writing has never been so easy!

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Business research is an essential aspect of the modern corporate world. The ability to understand the latest trends, consumer behavior, and market dynamics is crucial for any firm looking to stay competitive. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of 250 business research topics that can serve as an inspiration for your next paper. From the impact of technology on the workforce to the rise of sustainable firm practices, these research topics in business cover a wide range of subjects that are relevant to today's business climate. Whether you're a student or a researcher, this list of topics related to business is sure to provide you with ideas for your next work or thesis. Stay with our business essay writing service to discover amazing ideas.

What Are Business Research Topics?

Business research topics are areas of study that pertain to the various aspects of running an organization, such as marketing, management, finance, as well as operations. These topics can cover a wide range of subjects. They also focus on specific industries or geographic regions. Business related topics can be studied using various methods, such as quantitative or qualitative ones.It is important to note that business topics for a research paper are frequently evolving and adapting to the current business environment, which makes them very dynamic. As a crucial part of the corporate world, they provide insights and understanding of various aspects of such an environment. These insights can help firms make informed decisions, develop new strategies, and stay competitive in the marketplace.

Characteristics of Good Business Research Topics

There are several characteristics that make business research paper topics good. Here are a few examples:

Relevance The chosen topic should be relevant to the present business environment. Therefore, it seeks to solve issues that are essential to both researchers and practitioners.
Feasibility Good research topics in business should be feasible to research. It means that there are readily available resources and information necessary for the project.
Significance: the topic should have practical implications for practitioners and companies.
Clarity It must be specific and clearly defined.
Originality It should contribute new perspectives or insights to the existing body of knowledge.

All of these characteristics together will make a good research topic, one that is valuable, informative, and useful for the corporate industry.

How to Choose a Business Topic for Research?

When writing your research, you should get your foundation right, which starts with choosing a good business related topic. Here are the steps you can use to select a business topic for research:

Identify your research area Find out the broad area of enterprise that you want to focus on.
Review the literature Conduct a literature review to identify current research trends, gaps, and issues in your chosen area.
Narrow down your focus Based on the literature review, narrow down your focus to a specific topic that is relevant, feasible, and original.
Assess feasibility Consider the time frame, resources, and data availability for the topic. Make sure that you have access to the necessary data and materials to conduct the research.
Finalize the topic Choose a topic that aligns with your interests and that you are passionate about. This will make the research process more enjoyable.
Consult with experts Seek advice from professionals in the field to get feedback on your topic and to make sure that it is relevant.

Business Research Topics List

A well-curated business research paper topics list can help researchers identify current trends, gaps in the literature, and emerging issues in the field. Here are some top business topics that are very useful.

How sustainable business practices affect a company’s financial performance.
Blockchain technology’s role in business.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chain management.
Impact of fintech on traditional financial institutions.
How digital transformation affects organizational culture.
Consequences of social media marketing for customer engagement.
Data analytics’ role in company performance and decision-making.
Impact of the gig economy on traditional employment model.
Abuse experienced by women in the workplace.
Revolution of firm operations and strategy due to artificial intelligence.

Interesting Business Topics for a Research Paper

We’ve compiled an interesting business topic list that can be helpful in your work. Before choosing research topics on business, you should understand the requirements, then select one that matches your interest from the list below.

Growth in tourism and its impact on the economy.
Limitations of global sanctions.
Determinants of consumer behavior.
Current changes in global labor unions.
History of economic thoughts.
Exploring trade embargo.
Comparative analysis of property rights.
Ways to maximize product profits.
Differences between tax bracket rates and fixed tax rate.
Factors to consider when choosing countries to invest in.
Relevant leadership styles for family-owned organizations.
Ways in which an organization can enter a foreign market.
Challenges of remote employment.
Advantages of franchising for the franchisee.
Languages used in international ventures.

These are just a few examples of the many topics that can be explored through research. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence organizational performance and to develop strategies for addressing any challenges that arise.

Easy Business Research Paper Topics

Business research is an important aspect of understanding various factors that drive organizational success. However, some business research topics can be complex and time-consuming to investigate. Here are 15 great research paper business topics that may be researched quickly.

Storytelling’s role in marketing.
Impact of online communication tools on team productivity.
COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on consumer buying behavior.
How virtual meetings enhance team collaboration.
Workplace diversity and employee satisfaction.
Telecommunications effects on employee morale.
Artificial intelligence’s role in personalization of marketing efforts.
Impact of gamification on employee training.
Green initiative’s impact on customer loyalty.
How branding affects consumer purchasing power.
How does mobile technology enhance customer service?
Customer reviews’ role in enhancing online sales.
How digital marketing drives sales for small businesses.
Importance of flexible working hours for employee productivity.
Characteristics of monopolistic markets.

>> View more: Marketing Research Topics

Unique Business Research Topics

Business paper topics listed below are unique and challenging in the sense that they offer new perspectives and angles on the research, and they are not widely studied. It's also important to note that this category of research topic about business can cover ideas in any sector related to corporate world.

Virtual reality’s role in enhancing customer experience in luxury retail.
Artificial intelligence and human resources recruitment.
Using virtual and augmented reality in real estate.
LMS software for small businesses .
Greenwashing’s effect on consumer purchasing behavior.
Applying Internet of Things in predictive maintenance.
Virtual reality’s application in team building.
How mindfulness practices impact decision-making and productivity.
Application of augmented reality in e-commerce and retail.
Using blockchain technology in supply chain management.
Barriers to entering monopolistic markets.
How chatbots lead to employee satisfaction.
Emotional intelligence’s impact on effectiveness of leadership.
Impact of AI-generated content on company sales.
Effective advertising techniques for SMEs.

Controversial Business Research Topics

There are some research topics related to business that are controversial and can challenge widely held beliefs or societal norms. We’ve created a list of controversial business topic ideas below. You can choose any that interests you.

Automation’s impact on job displacement.
Corporate social responsibility’s role in addressing social issues.
Income inequality’s effects on firm performance.
Influence of Artificial Intelligence on privacy and ethical concerns.
Big data’s role in decision-making and potential biases.
Multinational companies’ impact on developing countries.
Sharing economy’s consequences on traditional industries and regulations.
Using blockchain technology in financial privacy and security.
How companies can be responsible for political lobbying.
Cannabis industry’s role in Canada’s economic development.
Ethical implication of AI in corporate world.
How surveillance affects employee privacy.
Effects of automation on the future of work.
Digital currency’s role in financial inclusion.
Social media’s impact on political polarization.

Business Research Proposal Topics

Whether you are an investor or a customer at a local grocery store, everyone is involved in some form of venture that prompts them to develop business research proposal ideas. Students in different academic levels may also be required to write a proposal before their research. Below are some business proposal topics to research that can help you explore your ideas.

Reducing workplace stress using virtual reality.
AI's potential impact on organizations venturing in healthcare.
How the current digital revolution has affected the corporate world.
Importance of video surveillance to organizations.
Potential solutions that private firms can implement to be economically secure.
Reasons why low self-esteem is detrimental at workplace.
Small independent organizations: lifelines in a world of giant franchises.
Solutions to the world's joblessness problem and how to implement them.
How workers’ motivation affects productivity.
A social problem: how altering consumer behavior affects retail sales.
Factors that determine the length of paternity leave given to employees.
The present-day world's environmental problems and their implications for business management.
Importance of leadership abilities in maintaining authority.
A methodical survey of investment approaches in real estate industry.
Comparing direct marketing with other types of advertisement .

Business Research Paper Topics for Students

Research topic ideas for business students can cover a wide range of areas, including management, marketing, finance, and operations. These themes are meant to be used as inspiration for students to conduct research on the business field and can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the assignment. Research paper topics related to business may also be chosen from areas of interest such as customer service, digital marketing, e-commerce, and green business practices.

Business Research Topics for College Students

Business topics for college students provide an opportunity to conduct research and gain a deeper understanding of the various factors that drive organizational success. Here are 15 potential business topics to write about.

Ways to ensure diversity in the workplace.
Virtual and augmented reality’s role in enhancing customer experience.
Effectiveness of various quality leadership styles in different industries.
Corporate governance’s impact on organizational performance.
Digitalization and its influence on the news industry.
Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence in personalization of marketing efforts.
How virtual teams affect productivity and communication of employees in an organization.
How does the sharing economy affect traditional industries and regulations?
Ways in which privacy concerns influence consumer purchase behavior.
How the Internet of Things impacts supply chain management.
Digital currency’s role in financial inclusion and inequality.
Different insurance forms for a company.
Benefits of personalizing a firm website.
The future of virtual reality in organizations.
How greenwashing affects consumer purchasing behavior.

Business Research Topics for MBA Students

Business research project topics cover a wide range of areas and can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the assignment or the student's area of interest. These topics are also relevant to the current business environment and can provide MBA students with a chance to explore the various challenges and opportunities that companies face today. Highlighted below is a list of business research paper ideas that you can consider.

Digitalization’s impact on the financial industry and its regulation.
Artificial Intelligence’s role in the healthcare industry.
How corporate social responsibility affects financial performance and reputation.
E-commerce’s effect on brick-and-mortar retail firms.
Big data’s role in marketing.
COVID-19 pandemic on global trade and investment.
Importance of time management in an organization.
Using virtual and augmented reality in real estate and construction.
Digital transformation’s impact on the public sector and government.
Applying blockchain technology in logistics and transportation.
What are the sustainable firm practices that an organization should adopt?
How social media affects consumer behavior and decision-making.
Digital marketing’s role in the B2B industry.
Artificial Intelligence’s impact on human resources management.
The impact of political and economic changes on renewable energy.

Research Topics on Business in Different Fields

Business research topics cover various industries and sectors, including finance, healthcare, marketing, as well as logistics. They can provide insight into the different business challenges and opportunities that different industries face today. Researchers dive deeper into specific fields to understand how business practices and strategies differ, as well as how they can be improved. These research business ideas can also be tailored to match the specific requirements of the assignment or the student's area of interest.

International Business Research Paper Topics

International business topics for research can encompass various aspects of cross-border trade as well as investment, including market entry strategies, cultural differences, and global supply chain management. Listed here are 15 potential research paper topics on international business.

How cultural differences affect international business negotiations.
An examination of the challenges and opportunities of international franchising.
The impact of currency fluctuations on international business performance.
Different forms of international business ownership.
Role of international trade agreements and their impact on companies.
Brexit’s impact on international business .
Corporate social responsibility and its effect on international business reputation.
Impact of language barriers on international business communication.
How international organizations promote sustainable development.
Most effective market entry strategies for emerging markets.
Political and economic instability’s role in international trade.
Role of technology in facilitating cross-border e-commerce.
Impact of international enterprise on host-country workers.
Influence of international ventures on environmental sustainability.
International business’ influence on local cultures and traditions.

Business Law Topics for a Research Paper

Business law research paper topic ideas can encompass various legal issues that organizations face, including contract law, intellectual property law, and corporate governance. Here are 15 potential research paper topics for business law class.

Effectiveness of different forms of alternative dispute resolution in business disputes.
Consumer protection laws.
Challenges and opportunities of cross-border litigation in international business.
The effects of corporate governance on organizational performance and accountability.
Securities laws on initial public offerings and capital raising.
The role of intellectual property law in protecting innovation and creativity in the digital age.
Challenges and opportunities of merger and acquisition regulation.
The impact of labor laws on human resources management and recruitment.
Effectiveness of different forms of corporate social responsibility in addressing social and environmental issues.
The role of competition law in promoting fair competition and protecting consumer welfare.
Limitations of international trade law and its impact on firms.
Data privacy laws on company operations and decision-making.
Contract law on e-commerce and online business.
The role of property law in real estate and construction enterprises.
Limitations and opportunities of corporate governance in family-owned firms.

Check more: Law Research Paper Topics

Research Topics in Business Administration

Business administration research topics can encompass various aspects of organizational management, including leadership, strategy, and operations. They are also relevant to the current business environment and provide an opportunity to explore challenges that companies face in the field of business administration. We’ve compiled a list of business administration topics for a research paper that can be helpful to you.

Effective leadership styles for different types of organizations.
The impact of organizational culture on employee engagement and performance.
Opportunities and limitations of virtual teams and remote work.
The effects of innovation management on organizational performance.
Digitalization’s impact on organizational structure and processes.
The role of project management in driving organizational success.
Reasons to implement mergers and acquisitions.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on organizational reputation and brand image.
Automation and machine learning influence organizational processes and decision-making.
Human resources management’s role in promoting a healthy and inclusive work environment.
Limitations of international expansion.
The impact of data analytics and big data on organizational decision-making and performance.
Effectiveness of different organizational change management forms.
Operations management’s role in driving efficiency and productivity.
Sustainable firm practices and their impact on organizational performance.

Business Management Research Topics

Are you specialized in management and looking for related business management research paper topics? This article lists business report topics below that can be useful to you.

Applying artificial intelligence in business management.
Gig economy and its impact on workforce management.
Innovative Human Resource practices to improve employee resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ways to promote sustainable development in an organization.
How virtual reality impacts human behavior and well-being.
The use of technology in strategic management.
Gender disparity and discrimination in wages.
Strategies to encourage more women leaders in organizations.
Team building strategies.
Connection between labor productivity and salary.
Enhancing employee retention rate.
Conflict management in a company.
Ways to motivate employees.
Social media’s impact on business.
How do you ensure diversity in leadership?

These topics cover a wide range of areas and can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the assignment or the student's area of interest. They provide insight into the field of business management and can help equip you with necessary skills needed in that study area.

Business Ethics Topics for a Research Paper

Business ethics research paper topics can encompass various issues related to moral and ethical principles in the business world, such as corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and integrity in decision-making. Highlighted below are topics for a business ethics essay or paper that you can consider.

Corporate social responsibility and consumer trust.
Forms of corruption in private sector organizations.
Ways to promote sustainable development.
Diversity and inclusion policies.
How corporate governance impacts organizational integrity.
Forms of whistle-blower protection.
Organization’s role in addressing social and environmental issues.
Challenges of implementing a code of conduct.
Ways to enhance organizational reputation and brand image.
Different forms of corporate social responsibility reporting.
Principles of ethical management.
The impact of ethics on employee engagement and motivation.
How to address issues of social and environmental justice.
Business ethics’ impact on the financial performance of a company.
How do companies address human rights issues?

Business Communication Research Topics

The success of a business depends significantly on the communication between stakeholders. Business communication topics can include different aspects within and between organizations, including cross-cultural, digital, and crisis communication. If you want to study it, here are some business research topics ideas to consider.

Essential digital tools used in business communication.
Forms of multimedia communication in organizations.
Communication’s role in promoting a healthy and inclusive work environment.
Cross-functional communication in organizations.
Communication technology’s impact on networking and relationship building.
Forms of internal communication in different industries.
How communication promotes transparency and trust.
Ways of communicating during mergers and acquisitions.
How communication technology impacts the financial industry .
Nonverbal communication in firm interactions.
Using social media in organizational communication.
Enhancing team dynamics and collaboration through communication.
Crisis communication in the digital age.
Language barriers in international organizations.
Intergenerational communication in the workplace.

>> View more: Communication Research Paper Topics

Business Speech Research Topics

Research topics in business include various aspects of oral communication in the corporate world, such as public speaking, presentations, as well as pitch deliveries. Do you have a speech that you want to deliver related to enterprise and still not sure of the topic to choose? Here are general business research topic ideas you can use.

Types of corporate crimes you should look out for as our employees.
Never be afraid of your competitors.
How to deliberately think and plan for your success.
Moving your company a generation ahead.
How to ensure effective leadership in your company.
How to reward your employees.
Ways to motivate your employees.
Encouraging innovation in your firm.
Why should everyone have a business plan before starting one?
How we can deal with breach of contract.
Types of insurance cover we should consider for a company.
Ways to improve our company’s reputation in public.
How to write effective business letters.
Why we should actively participate in corporate social responsibilities.
How to increase our sales.

Read more: Demonstration Speech Ideas for Students

Business Debate Research Topics

Business research questions for debate involve various aspects of public discourse as well as arguments in the corporate world, such as ethical dilemmas, industry trends, and policy decisions. These themes can provide an opportunity to explore different perspectives and arguments on a particular issue and to evaluate their strengths as well as weaknesses. Some of the debatable business research project ideas include the following:

Is investing in stocks like taking a chance on the lottery?
Do you think cryptocurrencies should power the corporate world?
Is it true that men account for more successful company owners?
Do women fare better than men in the corporate world?
When it comes to commerce, how trustworthy are cryptocurrencies, and how does advertising them increase their customer base?
Are corporations with a global reach causing more harm than good?
If a company invests in advertisements, do they see a return on its investment?
Do jobs in cooperation constitute a new form of slavery?
Should it be possible to blend politics with corporations?
Do you think getting an MBA is worth the cost?
Does technology make people less productive?
Are companies overlooking the issue of cybersecurity?
Has the introduction of emails improved communication within companies?
Is artificial intelligence bad for the corporate world?
Unlike theft, infringing on copyright does not deprive the victim of the original product.

>> Read more: Political Science Research Questions

Bottom Line on Business Research Paper Topics

There are numerous categories of topics for business research paper. The chosen topic should be a reflection of your expertise. Before deciding on the research paper topic about business to write on, you must first establish your specialty besides ensuring you have the necessary facts as well as resources. Provided in this article are 250 business research ideas. Feel free to choose from any category depending on your area of interest. Don't forget to proofread as well as modify your final paper several times before submission. All the best! Just in case you need to conduct a study in another field, remember that we have a huge arsenal of topics in various disciplines. From psychology research topics to sociology research paper topics , you can spot any title idea for an A-grade work.

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International Business Dissertation Topics (28 Examples) For Research

Mark May 31, 2020 Jun 5, 2020 Business , International Business No Comments

With time, the business world has evolved, and globalisation has contributed to bringing revolutionary changes in the field of business. With the increasing internationalisation, the scope and area for research in the field of international business have increased. We have listed down some very interesting and unique international business dissertation topics to help you in […]

We have listed down some very interesting and unique international business dissertation topics to help you in choosing a workable topic. The following list of research topics on international business are developed to help students in finding the best topic for their research project.

You can also check our other business related topics posts to have further options.

Business Management Research Topics
Research Topics on Business
Business Administration Research Topics

List of International business dissertation topics

An analysis of global migrants studying the implications for international business and management.

An overview of the recent trends and future challenges in international business, cities, and competitiveness.

Exploring the international business in the information and digital age.

A systematic review of the issues of international entrepreneurship.

Exploring the competitive advantage strategies based on network analysis.

Studying the internationalisation of African firms based on opportunities, challenges and risks.

An investigation of the changing retail trends: emerging opportunities and challenges in Asian countries.

A review of protectionism, state discrimination, and international studies onset of the global financial crisis.

Examining the evolution of entrepreneurial finance in the last 10 years.

A study of the emergence of impacts of mobile commerce – an exploratory study.

Evaluation of the emergence and evolution of blue ocean strategy through the lens of management fashion theory.

Studying the impact of organisational performance on the emergence of Asian American leaders.

The importance of designing a closed-loop supply chain for improving the sustainability of global business practices.

A literature review of strategies for winning and competing in the global market.

Exploring the concepts of populism and the economics of globalisation.

An analysis of how effective leadership can contribute to facilitating change in the international business context.

Studying the influence of cross-cultural differences on international marketing.

Analysing the implications of domestic reforms and international relations on international businesses.

A review of the effects of globalisation on Asian international retailing taking the case of IKEA.

An analysis of technology trends and their impact on the internationalisation of businesses.

A study of emerging trends in global business and its implications for economies.

Identifying the five major trends that are dramatically changing work and the workplace in this era.

The emergence of corporate social responsibilities and its importance for international businesses.

An analysis of the trade challenges at the world trade organisations .

Analysing the strategic challenges of outsourcing innovation in the global market.

Studying the evolving global strategic trends.

Exploring the policy challenges from closer international trade and financial integration.

Why do businesses internationalise? – a review of factor influencing the decisions to internationalise.

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Business Research Paper Topics – Complete List

Table of contents

1 What are good business topics for a research paper?
2 Interesting business-related topics
3 Business management topics
4 Current topics in international business
5 Business ethics topics
6 Business intelligence topics
7 Topics On Business Communication
8 Other good business research topics

What are good business topics for a research paper?

To narrow down the field of business research topics for college students, consider the goals of your course and pay particular attention to the curriculum of your course. For an MBA program, you’ll likely need to explore undiscovered territory and report on your findings. In this case, you can find inspiration from the local corporate news on Television or online and derive a relevant topic. For the undergrad student, demonstrating a strong understanding of course material will go a long way to motivate your professors to give you a high grade. Whichever academic level you study, there is an abundance of areas to explore. But a common issue is often, students are deeply interested in a subject but just don’t know how to write about it. This is where a writing service comes into play. You can leverage the help of seasoned professionals who are up-to-date on contemporary corporate affairs. They will write a paper for you and guarantee the quality of their work. So if you’re concerned about your GPA, leverage these services to get the job done for you.

Interesting business-related topics

At times, the courses you take are important but may not jump off your page and capture the reader with interest. Such is the reality of some research papers topics . But there are some strategies you could take, for instance, using argumentative business essay topics is a great way to draw in readers to appreciate your work more. You can use any of the following and turn your research paper into an issue of debate that will have your teachers thinking of the effort you put forth to make a compelling paper. For sure, you’ll also be rewarded with a high grade.

Business management topics

Positive Effects of Diversity in the Workplace
Methods of Reducing Overhead with Enterprise Planning
Using Typology for Better Team Management
Influence of Corporate Culture on Employee Retention
Valuating Enterprise Priorities for Optimal Outcomes
Using Incentive Programs to Meet Objectives
Results of Agile Project Management in Traditional Companies
Lean Operational Structures – Results Without Bureaucracy
ABC Costing to Build Efficient Budgets
Practical Methods of Delivering Concepts to Production
Managing Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Evaluating Human Capital for Optimization
Risk Management and Contingency Planning
Negotiation Strategies of Effective Leaders
Formulating a Product Personality that Speaks to Consumers

Current topics in international business

Methods of Effective Remote Management
Navigating Tariffs and Taxation
Assurance services to control waste
International Supply Chain and Inventory Management
Developing a Corporate Structure in an Offshore Company
Doing Business in Countries with High Corruption
Enforcing International Contracts
Assessing an Offshore Labor Pool
Establishing a Competitive Advantage in the Global Market
How to avoid Currency Risk with International Trade
Risk Management in Developing Countries
Using Time Zones for 24 Hour Productivity
Overcoming Cultural Differences
International Compliance and Taxation
Environmental Issues With a Global Business

Business ethics topics

Maintaining Compliance with Independent Contractors
Consumer Rights to Privacy and Confidentiality
Monitoring Employees in the Office
Affirmative Action with Recruitment
Building an Inclusive Company
Roles and Responsibilities of Teen Employees
Corporate Impacts on the Environment
Insider Trading and the Rights of Shareholders
Establishing Positive Community Relations
Managing a Socially Responsible Enterprise

Business intelligence topics

Automation of Routine Practices
Evaluating the Cost versus Reward of AI
How Big Data can Work for any Company
Contemporary Predictive Analysis
Validating Data Quality
Market Intelligence to Find Your Niche
Using Case Studies to Solve Problems in the Corporate World
Real-Time Intelligence and the Business Cycle
Setting the Right KPIs
Data Security To Safeguard Against Hackers

Topics On Business Communication

Communicating with International Teams
Designing a Communications Document
Setting Meeting Agendas
Benefits of a RACI Matrix
Developing Soft Skills with Employees
Expressing Empathy for Better Relations
Methods of Constructive Mentoring
Modern applications of the Customer eXperience
Motivational Speaking Strategies
Finding Team Players Through Interviewing
Enterprise Investigative Techniques
Recognizing Identity in Communication
Streamlined Change Management
Working with Aggressive Individuals
Documenting Interactions for Better Performance

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International Business Dissertation Topics Ideas and Examples

Table of Contents

How to choose a dissertation topic in international business?

Choosing international business dissertation topics involves a methodical approach. Start by identifying your personal interests within the field, conduct a literature review to find gaps in existing research.

Consult with professors for guidance and narrow down your focus. Ensure your topic is globally relevant, feasible for research, and aligned with your career goals.

Stay updated on current international business trends and seek feedback from mentors. A well-chosen topic should be researchable, reflect your interests, and contribute to the field.

Many students find it difficult to choose the perfect international business dissertation topics for their dissertations. In fact, many students choose a narrow topic for international business research because of the depth and breadth of the field.

Business dissertations , reports, or theses are difficult to write. It is a curiosity among students how to choose a good dissertation topic for international business.

Our goal is to prepare our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to choose research topics internationally. Choosing to judge without delay can be fatal.

What are the topics in an international business course?

Top 5 international business dissertation topics along with topic brief.

Here are the top 5 international business dissertation topics along with brief descriptions:

Brief : Explore how global trade agreements, such as free trade agreements and the World Trade Organization rules, influence international business strategies, market entry decisions, and trade practices.
Brief : Investigate the challenges faced by multinational corporations in managing diverse, cross-cultural teams and the strategies they employ to promote effective communication, collaboration, and performance.
Brief : Examine how companies are integrating sustainability principles into their global supply chain operations. Investigate the adoption of eco-friendly practices, ethical sourcing, and their impact on global supply chains.
Brief : Assess the strategies employed by SMEs to expand into international markets, considering the unique challenges they face, including resource limitations and market entry barriers.
Brief : Explore the digital transformation of global business operations, including the adoption of e-commerce, cloud computing, and data analytics. Analyze the impact on international business strategies, customer engagement, and global competitiveness.

These international business dissertation topics cover a range of contemporary issues and offer opportunities for in-depth research, providing valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of global business and trade.

International Trade and Economics

Impact of trade agreements on international business
Effects of tariffs and trade barriers on global commerce
Role of multinational corporations in fostering international trade
Comparative analysis of trade policies among developed and developing countries
The significance of regional economic integration on global trade patterns
More Business economics dissertation topics Ideas and Examples

Global Marketing Strategies

Cross-cultural marketing strategies for multinational corporations
The influence of social media on international brand management
Adaptation vs. standardization of marketing strategies in different markets
Market entry strategies for emerging economies
The role of cultural intelligence in global marketing campaigns
More Marketing Management Dissertation Topics Examples

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Determinants of FDI inflows in developing countries
The impact of political risk on multinational corporations’ investment decisions
Comparative analysis of FDI policies across different regions
The role of FDI in technology transfer and economic development
FDI spillover effects on local economies in host countries

Global Supply Chain Management

Risks and challenges in global supply chain networks
Strategies for mitigating supply chain disruptions in international business
Sustainability practices in global supply chain management
The role of information technology in enhancing supply chain efficiency
Outsourcing strategies and their impact on global supply chain dynamics
More What are the dissertation topics under supply chain management?

International Finance and Risk Management

Exchange rate risk management strategies for multinational corporations
The impact of financial crises on international business operations
Comparative analysis of financial systems across different countries
Corporate governance practices and their influence on international finance
The role of hedging instruments in managing currency and commodity price risks
More Risk Management Dissertation Topics Ideas examples

International Human Resource Management

Cross-cultural challenges in expatriate assignments
Talent management strategies for global workforce diversity
Comparative analysis of labor laws and regulations across different countries
The role of corporate culture in attracting and retaining international talent
Training and development programs for building global leadership competencies.
More How can you choose best HRM dissertation topics?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Global Business

CSR practices of multinational corporations in developing countries
The impact of CSR initiatives on brand reputation and consumer behavior
Stakeholder engagement strategies in international CSR efforts
Comparative analysis of CSR reporting standards across different regions
The role of NGOs and civil society in shaping corporate responsibility agendas

International Business Ethics and Governance

Ethical dilemmas in cross-border business transactions
Corporate governance mechanisms in multinational corporations
Compliance with international business ethics standards
Bribery and corruption risks in global business operations
The role of cultural differences in ethical decision-making processes

Supply Chain Management

Adoption of blockchain technology in enhancing supply chain transparency and traceability
Resilience strategies for supply chain disruptions: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
Integration of green practices into global supply chain management: challenges and opportunities
The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in optimizing supply chain operations
Supply chain risk management in the era of geopolitical uncertainty: case studies from various industries

Business Ethics and Corporate Governance

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and shareholder value: exploring the relationship
Ethical leadership in multinational corporations: impact on organizational culture and performance
Whistleblowing policies and their effectiveness in promoting corporate ethics and transparency
Corporate governance mechanisms and their influence on financial performance in emerging markets
Addressing ethical challenges in cross-border mergers and acquisitions: case studies and best practices

Entrepreneurship

The role of government policies in fostering entrepreneurship in developing economies
Entrepreneurial finance and access to capital: challenges faced by startups in international markets
Cross-cultural entrepreneurship: strategies for overcoming cultural barriers in global business ventures
Women entrepreneurship in emerging markets: barriers, opportunities, and policy implications
Corporate entrepreneurship: fostering innovation and intrapreneurship in multinational corporations

Globalization and Impact

Cultural imperialism vs. cultural hybridization: the impact of globalization on indigenous cultures
Economic inequality and globalization: exploring the widening gap between rich and poor nations
Globalization and environmental sustainability: assessing the trade-off between economic growth and ecological preservation
Globalization and labor market dynamics: implications for job creation, wages, and working conditions
The rise of anti-globalization movements: causes, consequences, and policy responses

Sustainable Finance and Investment

Impact investing: aligning financial returns with social and environmental goals
Green bonds and sustainable finance: trends, challenges, and opportunities for investors and issuers
Corporate sustainability reporting: standards, frameworks, and disclosure practices
Socially responsible investing (SRI) in emerging markets: drivers, barriers, and performance implications
The role of financial institutions in promoting sustainable development: case studies from the banking and investment sectors

Work Culture in International Business Dissertation Topics

Cultural diversity and organizational effectiveness: managing multicultural teams in global corporations
Expatriate management practices: challenges and strategies for integrating foreign employees into local work cultures
Work-life balance in multinational corporations: comparing attitudes and policies across different countries
The impact of national culture on leadership styles and employee motivation in global organizations
Remote work and virtual teams: implications for organizational culture and productivity in international business settings

General dissertation topics in international business

Below is the list of best dissertation topics for international business for master’s and undergraduate students:

The Role of Cultural Intelligence in International Negotiations.
Implications of Brexit on International Supply Chain Management.
The Effect of Economic Sanctions on International Trade.
Strategic Alliances in Emerging Markets: Case Studies from Africa.
The Impact of Blockchain Technology on Global Trade Finance.
Greenfield vs. Acquisition: Entry Strategies in Developing Countries.
The Influence of Political Instability on Foreign Direct Investment Decisions.
Cross-Border E-commerce in the European Union: Challenges and Opportunities.
The Role of Ethical Leadership in Multinational Corporations’ Social Responsibility.
Transnational Entrepreneurship: Success Factors in Expanding Startups Globally.
Cultural Adaptation in Global Marketing: A Comparative Study.
The Geopolitical Impact on International Business Strategies in the Arctic Region.
Internationalization of Family-Owned Businesses: A Comparative Analysis.
Human Rights and Corporate Accountability in International Business.
SMEs in Global Value Chains: Challenges and Pathways to Success.
International Business Negotiation Strategies in High-Context Cultures.
Sustainable Tourism Development in Emerging Markets: A Case Study.
The Role of International Trade Agreements in Agricultural Export Growth.
Consumer Behavior in Cross-Border Online Shopping: A Comparative Study.
MNEs’ Strategies in Managing Political Risks in Conflict Zones.
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
The Influence of Geopolitical Tensions on International Financial Markets.
Supply Chain Resilience in Times of Global Health Crises.
SME Internationalization through Crowdfunding Platforms.
The Digitalization of Cross-Border Payment Systems: Implications for Global Finance.
Use the standard approach to business strategy for different businesses
The impact of the coronavirus on the global economy
How Social Media Branding Can Make Businesses More Competitive in the Age of Globalization
How does advertising policy affect economic management around the world?
If accidents happen every day, is the business model of developing driverless cars still valid?
The value of English as a global business language and why Chinese companies are ordering from Africa
What kinds of education and images can create cultural change and conflict in the global classroom of diverse cultures and cultural backgrounds?
The Impact of Different Models of Business-Government Relations on the Process of Economic Development: A Case Study in Emerging Markets.
Look at the impact Brexit will have on UK businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Strategy, structure, relevance, and performance: relations between Kev Lag Luam and the government within the framework of contingency theory.
What is the meaning and process of globalization and how does it affect the way business teams work together?
Global strategy and local use: Exploring how crowdfunding is used in governance in China.
What factors affect the policy choices of many companies? Study the impact of perceived governance on corporate governance.
Does a woman in a leadership position threaten the identity of male subordinates? Study women in such roles.
How safe is it to release encrypted chat information of business owners on WhatsApp? Are there ways to protect user privacy?
Exploring the relationship between cooperation and marketing in the business sector: a case study of the partnership with Qatar Airways.
What are the business strategies and key advantages of financial institutions in the global environment?
How is AI innovation threatening the jobs of workers in labor-intensive industries like Amazon warehouses?
Will the business model of self-driving cars survive in the reality of everyday situations?
What effects will the consumers’ increasing use of the online channel for fashion shopping have on the strategies used by UK clothing retailers?
Can CSR dampen the mood of share markets and investment prospects?

Customize Dissertation Topics in International Business

Above is the best list of international business dissertation topics you can pick any one and start your dissertation writing . If you are still looking for some other unique dissertation topics for international business, fill out the form below and get a unique researched topic along with a 500-word topic brief.

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Business Research Paper Topics: Management, Commerce, Entrepreneurship, etc

When it comes to business and entrepreneurship, a business research paper is the key to opening doors. Narrowing down the immense universe of business research to just one research paper may be a daunting task. For aspiring company executives and students of business, these business research papers are like treasure troves of invaluable information.

You will delve into many different areas of study, including international trade, business law, business management, business communication, and business ethics. A good research paper subject may help you learn more about economics, markets, financial management, operational logistics, and even the effects of global events.

How to Find a Good Business Research Topic?

The quest for the best business research topic might be time-consuming and difficult. These guidelines, however, should make it easier for you to select the ideal business topic with which to dominate the business world.

Stay updated with the trends : Explore the most recent publications and events related to the study of international trade and business negotiation (or any other topic of interest). Trending topics like business laws and consumer behavior are worth keeping an eye on.
Make a list of interesting points to discuss : Write down a few of the best business research topic options that interest you, and zero down on the research topics that really excite you. If you’re interested in business law topics, for instance, you may zero down on the fascinating area of laws on international businesses.
Dig into the research : Before diving in, be sure to narrow down your options to good business research topics that have sufficient supporting evidence. To make your research paper sparkle like a disco ball, look for up-to-date data, statistics, and rock-solid proof to back up your statements.

Business Management Research Topics

Research topics for business management are ones that can provide significant returns. By delving into these research topics, we can learn more about many facets of strategic management, make better judgments, and promote growth/sustainability. Use our collection of suggestions if you need ideas for management research paper topics in this field.

Conflict Management Strategies For Business Teams And Business Managers.
Examining The American Business Sector Through The Lens Of Consumer Behavior.
Crisis Management In Business Organizations.
Relationship Between Wages And Employee Motivation.
Social Entrepreneurship And Sustainable Business Models.
Comparing Startup And Multinational Management Techniques.
Team-Building In Dynamic And Distant Workplaces.
Performance Management Systems In Promoting Employee Development And Accountability.
Emotional Intelligence In Leadership Effectiveness And Business Management.
Employee Empowerment And Organizational Success.

Global Business Research Topics

Discover more about the international trade landscape by doing research on global business topics. They contribute to resolving the intricate issues of international business, which arise from the globalized character of today’s business world. We can encourage innovation management and push for sustainable development by studying phenomena like international investment and global market trends.

Impact Of Globalization On Multinational Corporations
Political Instability And International Trade Operations.
Digital Technologies In Transforming Global Supply Chains.
Effects Of Trade Liberalization On Developing Economies.
Climate Change And Global Business Strategies.
Cross-Cultural Management Strategies For International Businesses.
How Digital Technologies Is Transforming Small Local Businesses In The Global Marketplace.
Competitive Strategies Of Local Companies In The Era Of Globalization
Dynamics Of Foreign Direct Investment In Emerging Markets.
Entrepreneurship And Economic Growth In Developing Countries.

Business Communication Topics for research paper

There are many different aspects of business communication that might be the subject of a research paper. By delving into these business topics, you’ll get insight into both the theoretical and practical sides of business communication. Explore the business research examples on communication below to examine its issues and techniques and add new information to the subject.

Digital Communication Tools and Workplace Communication
Role of Nonverbal Communication in Business Negotiations
Crisis Communication and Business Management in the Digital Age
Use of Technology in Internal Communication within Organizations
Power of Storytelling in Business Communication and Marketing
Influence of Social Media Marketing on Brand Communication
Ethical Issues in Business Communication
Role of Communication and Improving Customer Loyalty
Gamification in Business Communication and Training
Business Communication Strategies and Cultural Differences

Business Law Research Topics

This section of business research offers a pool of ideas for business law topics for research paper works. They merit analysis in order to decipher legal complications that have an impact on enterprises, improve legal compliance, and promote business law in the context of in-depth business research projects and papers.

Intellectual Property Rights And Business Protection In The Digital Age.
Legal Implications Of Data Privacy And Cybersecurity In Business.
Legal Challenges In E-Commerce.
The Legal Aspects Of Mergers, Acquisitions, And Corporate Restructuring.
Challenges Of Cross-Border Legal Frameworks And International Transactions
Employment Law And The Legal Rights Of Employees.
Contract Law: Its Application In Business Agreements And Negotiations.
Corporate Social Responsibility And Legal Obligations Of Companies.
Legal Framework Of Trade Agreements And International Treaties On Business Operations
Social Media For Marketing/Advertising; Legal Considerations

Strategic Business Research Topics

This section of business research topics contains suggestions for areas worthy of in-depth study and analysis within the business world. Furthermore, they provide excellent jumping-off places for research papers, allowing you to investigate new developments, get new understandings, and spark new ideas, all of which improve creative and financial accounting. Here are some examples of potential topics for business research paper works below.

Digital Transformation On Business Strategy
Strategies For Achieving Sustainable Business Growth
How Corporate Culture Can Shape Successful Business Strategies
Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Machine Learning In Shaping Business Strategies
Consumer Preferences And Trends On Business Strategy
Building And Maintaining Strong Customer Relationships In The Digital Era
Globalization On Business Strategy And International Expansion
Geopolitical Factors On Business Strategy And Decision-Making
Leveraging Partnerships And Collaborations For Business Growth
Adapting To Economic Fluctuations And Market Volatility

Basic Business Research Topics

This section covers business topics that can be explored and analyzed further. When time, experience, or workload prevent you from creating a good business writing assignment, you can pay someone to write a paper . You can use these topics which enhance understanding, facilitate informed decision-making, and keep individuals updated with the latest trends and developments.

Impact Of Digital Marketing On Consumer Behavior.
Improving Customer Retention In The Retail Industry.
Employee Motivation On Organizational Productivity.
Implementing E-Commerce For Small Businesses.
Social Media In Brand Building And Customer Engagement.
Leadership Styles On Employee Satisfaction And Performance.
Pricing Strategies On Consumer Perception And Purchasing Behavior.
Customer Reviews And Ratings On Consumer Purchasing Decisions.
Data Analytics In Improving Business Decision-Making And Performance.
International Expansion For Small Businesses.

Interesting Business Topics for a Research Paper

Here, you’ll find a hand-picked selection of interesting business research topics or ideas to go into. It discusses current trends, problems, and potential solutions in a number of different economic sectors. These themes and a full guide on how to write a research paper can help you learn more about modern business difficulties and improve your writing abilities.

Ai And Business Processes
Corporate Governance And Business Practices.
Social Media Marketing; Enhancing Brand Visibility
Blockchain Technology; Impact On Business Transactions And Data Security
E-Commerce And Traditional Retail Business Models.
Data Privacy Regulations (E.G., Gdpr) On Customer Data Management.
Corporate Mergers/Acquisitions On Market Competition And Consumer Choice.
Innovation; Competitive Advantage And Driving Business Growth.
Disruptive Technologies (Such As Virtual Reality Or 3d Printing) On Traditional Business Models
Corporate Social Media Presence On Brand Image

Easy Business Research Paper Topics

If you need ideas for your conventional and easy business essay topics or a business research project, this area has you covered. They give background information and solutions in the ever-changing business management environment. Take a look at this list of potential easy business topics to write about before you start your great business research paper.

Effectiveness Of Online Advertising In Reaching Target Audiences.
Celebrity Endorsements On Consumer Purchasing Decisions.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Outsourcing Certain Business Functions.
Social Media Marketing And Consumer Behavior.
How E-Commerce Can Drive Small Business Growth.
Emotional Intelligence In Effective Business Leadership.
Sustainability Practices And Business Profitability.
Customer Service’s Significance In The Modern Corporate World.
Employee Training And Organizational Performance.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems On Customer Satisfaction.

Controversial Business Research Topics

Many times, controversy can serve as excellent examples of business research. Ethical conundrums, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and new technology are just a few of the hot-button subjects they can help you investigate. You may also identify interesting international business topics and viable business proposal topics by researching controversial issues.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Effectiveness And Ethics
Ethical Implications Of Marketing To Children
Impact Of Big Data On Consumer Privacy
Workplace Diversity: Challenges And Benefits
The Role Of Business Lobbying In Shaping Government Policies
Impact Of Minimum Wage Laws On Businesses And Employment
The Ethics Of Ai In Business Decision-Making
Labor Exploitation And Sweatshops In Global Supply Chains
Influence Of Corporate Political Donations On Policy-Making
Consumer Manipulation Through Neuromarketing Techniques

Business Research Topics for College Students

Academic studies are excellent examples of business research. Having students investigate a wide range of business-related research topics is a great way to build their analytical and problem-solving chops. College students may find business research topics that can assist them in getting insights into real-world difficulties, which can aid in both their academic and professional development.

Variations In Developing-World Business Practices
Evaluation Of Business Dangers
Family-Run Businesses
Market Monopolies
The Effect Of New Businesses On Existing Ones
Variations In Cultural Management Practices
Variations In Copyright Regulations Across The World
Marketers’ Choice: Online Or Offline?
Online Reviews On Consumer Purchase Decisions
The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Outsourcing Workers

Business Research Topics for MBA Students

There is a great deal of unresolved business research questions in the academic community. Research paper topics on business are a great place to start for MBA students looking for a thesis for their research paper . Students benefit from these discussions because they foster analytical thinking, problem solving, and practical business acumen.

Recent Developments In Consumer Habits
Strategic Administration In Business
Customs And Practices Unique To An Organization
Diplomacy And Negotiation In Business
Proven Methods Of Advertising
Changing Patterns In National Exports And Imports
Locational Advantages And Commercial Success
Boosting Brand Recognition Has Several Positive Effects.
The Rise Of The Social Media Market
Workplace Wellness And Cultural Diversity

International Business Research Paper Topics

International business research topics cover a wide range of issues pertinent to the study of international transactions, including business ethics. By opening up dialogue on these issues, we may all get a deeper appreciation for the moral dilemmas that arise when doing business on a global scale.

Cultural Intelligence In International Trade Negotiations.
Technology And International Trade Expansion.
Foreign Direct Investment And Host Nation Economic Growth.
Ethical Considerations In International Business
Currency Swings And Multinational Firms’ Finances.
Cultural Distinctions On Foreign Consumer Behavior.
International Virtual Team Management Problems.
Politics And International Trade.
Trade Agreements And Global Supply Networks.
International Corporate Social Responsibility: Opportunities And Challenges.

Research Topics in Business Administration

Research Topics Business Administration range from strategy and finance to marketing and operations. Organizational performance and competitiveness may both benefit from these discussions because they increase knowledge, encourage creativity, provide context for decisions, and stimulate the development of best practices.

Effective Methods For Boosting Worker Enthusiasm
Leadership Styles In Driving Organizational Innovation And Change.
Team Conflict Management Professional And Business Networking
Crisis Management In An Organization
The Role Of Social Entrepreneurs
Factors Contributing To A High Turnover Rate
Comparing Management Of Large Corporations To Those Of Startups
Team-Building Techniques
Marketing Methods And Consumer Loyalty.
Wages And Productivity: A Look At The Data

Business Ethics Topics for a Research Paper

Topics for business ethics research paper offers suggestions for papers that investigate the moral elements of doing business. Ethics research paper topics help students develop their analytical and deliberative abilities and improve their capacity to make morally sound decisions. Look at these suggestions for business ethics topics for research paper works.

Role Of Leaders In Promoting Ethical Behavior In Organizations.
Workplace Diversity And Inclusion.
Ethical Decision Making.
Business Ethics In International Transactions.
Ethical Marketing And Advertising.
Environmental Ethics In Business.
Privacy And Data Ethics.
Ethical Supply Chain Management.
Fair Trade and Ethical Consumerism.
Ethical Implications Of Artificial Intelligence.

Business Debate Research Topics

The interesting business article topics are discussed in this section. Discussing these business essay topics is beneficial since it helps people develop skills like critical thinking, trend awareness, creativity, and the ability to grasp intricate business ideas.

Impact Of Automation On Job Creation And Unemployment Rates.
Remote Work And Its Potential Long-Term Implications For Organizations.
Data Collection And Privacy In The Digital Age.
Implementing A Circular Economy Model In Businesses.
Globalization On Local Economies And Cultural Preservation.
Role Of Business Leaders In Climate Change And Environmental Sustainability.
Universal Basic Income Benefits And Drawbacks For Economic Stability.
Government Regulation And Innovation And Entrepreneurship.
E-Commerce’s Prospective Impact On Brick-And-Mortar Retail.
Ai In Financial Investing And Trading: Pros And Cons.

Reflection paper topics: art.

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International Business Research Paper Topics - For College Papers

How to Choose International Research Paper Topics

Writing an international business research paper, topic ideas for research papers on international business, the best research paper topics for international business class, good topics for business term papers or essays, international business dissertation topics, list of international business dissertation topics, where to get help with international business essays.

One thing that is surely hard for students is choosing the right international business research paper topics. Irrefutably, given the depth and breadth of business research papers, most students end up with shallow topics. It is the same thing when writing a business essay, business report, or business dissertation .

We aim to equip you with the knowledge of generating topic ideas for your international business research papers. From international management to international marketing, we have professional writers to help with all your essays. Undeniably, hurriedly choosing a topic can be very tempting.

Some of the focus areas for international business essays include expansion and entry modes of MNCs, international strategic management, tariffs and subsidies, exports and imports, etc.

Some professors will require you to write about the capitalism concepts, which leads to an analysis of Reaganomics in the 80s. Whatever the case, always know that you have a team behind you-Gradecrest.com

Most college students wonder about rocket science behind choosing the best research paper topics. Choosing a research paper topic for your international business term paper, research paper, essay, or proposal maters. Here is how to choose the best topics for your research paper:

Even when the professor has assigned you topics, choose among those the ones that you have an interest in. Boring topics lead to poorly written research papers.
Do not choose narrow or too general topics for your international business research paper. Sometimes broad topics are very tricky and tedious to handle. But, on the other hand, do not end up with a boring paper.
Use current events in the global business environment to guide your choice.
You can use Google Search to look up articles such as Top 100 topic ideas for a research paper, How to find the best research paper topics, or International marketing research paper topics.
Peruse books, periodicals, reports, annual reports, and news articles to choose the most appropriate topic for your international business research papers.
Go for a topic that has much information online.

When assigned international business research paper topics, you should begin by planning your research paper. Planning helps you choose the topic to adopt for the research paper, report, business proposal, or term paper. Here is how to plan:

Determine the credible and scholarly materials to use. Fundamentally, if they are websites, try to avoid Wikipedia. Therefore, only use websites that end with .org, .edu, .gov, among others. If you must use .com websites, ensure they are credible of the companies mentioned in the paper.
Seek help from the supervisor after writing a working bibliography. Sometimes, you will write an annotated bibliography to culminate your business research paper. Take that chance to perfect your writing.
Collect the data for your research paper, given the topic.
Revise your working bibliography to ascertain the quality of the list.
The age of your sources should be within 5 or 10 years. Typically, this depends on the lecturer or professor. Thus, consult on the age of the sources to include.
Write an outline and structure of your international business research paper.
Begin writing a plagiarism-free research paper.
Edit and proofread the paper before submitting it.

Before we delve into the hot or recent business topics, if you need help, do not hesitate to click the button below.

Order international Business Paper Help

Apparently, we can only be nothing but mean if we do not give you a sample of research paper topics for international business papers:

Apple's Internationalization Strategy for its products.
Localization or Adaptation? Which is the best Internationalization Strategy?
The impact of Ethics and CSR on MNCs. A Case Study of Proctor and Gamble.
The Success Factors of Carrefour in China.
The most popular mistakes startups make today.
Understanding the Foreign Exchange Markets
What factors determine the location of production plants?
Analysis of the strategy used by GM and Toyota.
The Entry Mode of Coca-Cola in Cuba.
The Impact of Terrorism on the Economy of a country.
The role of government in international trade.
The Impact of Brexit on the Economy of the EU.
How Brexit affects the Economy of Dubai.
Understanding the strategy used by leading airlines.
Which companies should pay for healthcare budgets?
The impacts of legislation on Tobacco production and marketing.
Do the government profit from war?
Companies that have succeeded nationally and failed internationally.
Understanding the international IT market and industry.
Impacts of artificial intelligence on the workforce.
Globalization yesterday and today: what is the difference?
The impacts of the US government shutdown on business.
Does the country of origin labeling affect sales internationally?
Economic consequences of nuclear power in the EU.
The impacts of patent cases on Apple's sales.
Analysis of Google Inc.
Does Digital marketing have a place in the global market?
The impacts of technology on supply chain management and logistics.
Women in business: Is there a link between feminism and entrepreneurship?
The impact of capping lawyers' fees on their income.
Employee training and development: The new source of competitive advantage.
Corporate Ethics and Profits: A Case Study of General Electric.
Understanding the success of global non-profit
How has the invention and innovation affected the book publishing industry?
Frugal innovation and its impact on business.
Discrimination at the workplace: A case study of the construction industry in UAE.
The role of Ethics in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Big Pharma: Business or Consumer interest First?
The glass ceiling: Understanding the impacts of gender bias in the contemporary workplace.
Factors affecting the choice of Foreign Direct Investments.
The Crucial Role of Mental Toughness in Entrepreneurship and Network Marketing

Check out some of the most extensive and comprehensive topics for your research paper .

You will finally face a dissertation or a thesis as you do your MBA or a global business degree.

As someone who has gone through college and had the chance to choose an MBA dissertation topic for my international business dissertation, we can surely affirm that the process is arduous.

You can focus your topics on many issues, including:

Mergers and Acquisitions
Corporate social responsibility
Workplace diversity
Corporate culture
Leadership and management
Intellectual capital
Innovation management
Flexible work arrangements
Business ethics
International business laws
Outsourcing
Supply chain management and logistics
Risk management
Workplace safety
Strategic planning
Training and development
Consumer culture

Now, while choosing an international business dissertation or thesis topic depends on you, you should tie it to the course contents.

If you are taking an MBA in Leadership, make sure you choose a leadership topic that addresses international business.

The application of Institutional-based view of business strategy by MNCs
Impacts of Coronavirus epidemic on international business processes
Resource-based interview and international business
Factors influencing MNCs choice of corporate political strategy in emerging economies
Impacts of globalization of international business operations of MNCs
Impacts of culture on MNCs
Impacts of the changing global legal landscape on MNCs
Modes of entry by MNCs in the emerging markets
Total Quality Management by Toyota
Security challenges affecting the global banking system
Factors affecting the performance of regional businesses
The role of regional trade blocs
Impacts of social media marketing on Apple
Lessons from the businesses that have failed in the international market
Impacts of employee motivation on firm performance
Impacts of corruption on MNCs
Effective business communication channels when internationalizing
Impacts of organizational culture on innovation management
Causes of employee turnover and how to address them
Intercultural differences in consumption patterns: The implication it has for MNCs
Forms of financing available for emerging small and medium business enterprises
Analysis of American Express Organization
Management of International Non-Governmental Organization (Red Cross)
The importance of the IMF and the World Bank in the global economy
Role of international relations in facilitation international business
Toyota's internationalization strategy
Business ethics of Coca Cola
Market value and Sustainability of Coca-cola
Knowledge management at Coca Cola
Internationalization strategy of Samsung Company
Critical Success Factors for Carrefour in the global market landscape
Diversity Audit at Apple
Role of technology in an internationalization strategy
Ethical crisis at Coca Cola
Coca Cola as an international Market Leader
Localization strategies used by Coca Cola
Corporate Social Responsibility comparison of Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft
The annex between corporate governance and globalization strategy
Country of Origin and internationalization strategy
Analysis of the international furniture market
Impacts of organizational structure on business performance : A case of Toyota
Leadership and Succession planning at Google
Impacts of McDonaldization of the Society
Factors to consider when doing business in the UAE
The factors influencing the success of construction companies in the UAE
Value chain model of Coca Cola
International business case study for Zara Company
Role of social media marketing for Ford company
The entry of Disney into the Chinese market
What made Walmart successful globally?
Internationalization of IKEA operations
Applying the competitive advantage theory to McDonald's
The factors that have made KFC successful globally
Importance of corporate leadership in international business
Role of governments in international trade
How foreign exchange rates affect overseas business operations of MNCs
Corruption by MNCs operating overseas
Analysis of Amazon as a successful Internet global company
Acquisition of Jaguar and Landover by TATA company
Challenges and promises of expatriate employees in an international strategy
Importance of English as an international business language
Why Chinese companies win projects in Africa
An overview of the Canadian Honey Industry
The rise of the Auto Industry in the US during the Trump Administration
Impacts of fake honey on the global honey industry
Quality management in the international markets
Impacts of BREXIT and Coronavirus on the global aviation industry
Impacts of privatization of businesses in the international markets
Role of branding in the international tourism industry

If you have a topic, you can order a research proposal from our website and we will help you develop it. Hire a professional proposal writer today and increase your chances of completing your dissertation or thesis easily.

As a college student, you will be assigned different international business research paper topics. Mainly, your choice should be based on your passion, information availability, and interest.

Related: Social issues to consider for essay/research topics.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Business

50+ Management Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a business/management-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of research ideas and topic thought-starters for management-related research degrees (MBAs/DBAs, etc.). These research topics span management strategy, HR, finance, operations, international business and leadership.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the management domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic.

Overview: Business Research Topics

Business /management strategy
Human resources (HR) and industrial psychology
Finance and accounting
Operations management
International business
Actual business dissertations & theses

Strategy-Related Research Topics

An analysis of the impact of digital transformation on business strategy in consulting firms
The role of innovation in transportation practices for creating a competitive advantage within the agricultural sector
Exploring the effect of globalisation on strategic decision-making practices for multinational Fashion brands.
An evaluation of corporate social responsibility in shaping business strategy, a case study of power utilities in Nigeria
Analysing the relationship between corporate culture and business strategy in the new digital era, exploring the role of remote working.
Assessing the impact of sustainability practices on business strategy and performance in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry
An analysis of the effect of social media on strategic partnerships and alliances development in the insurance industry
Exploring the role of data-driven decision-making in business strategy developments following supply-chain disruptions in the agricultural sector
Developing a conceptual framework for assessing the influence of market orientation on business strategy and performance in the video game publishing industry
A review of strategic cost management best practices in the healthcare sector of Indonesia
Identification of key strategic considerations required for the effective implementation of Industry 4.0 to develop a circular economy
Reviewing how Globalisation has affected business model innovation strategies in the education sector
A comparison of merger and acquisition strategies’ effects on novel product development in the Pharmaceutical industry
An analysis of market strategy performance during recessions, a retrospective review of the luxury goods market in the US
Comparing the performance of digital stakeholder engagement strategies and their contribution towards meeting SDGs in the mining sector

Topics & Ideas: Human Resources (HR)

Exploring the impact of digital employee engagement practices on organizational performance in SMEs
The role of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
An evaluation of remote employee training and development programs efficacy in the e-commerce sector
Comparing the effect of flexible work arrangements on employee satisfaction and productivity across generational divides
Assessing the relationship between gender-focused employee empowerment programs and job satisfaction in the UAE
A review of the impact of technology and digitisation on human resource management practices in the construction industry
An analysis of the role of human resource management in talent acquisition and retention in response to globalisation and crisis, a case study of the South African power utility
The influence of leadership style on remote working employee motivation and performance in the education sector.
A comparison of performance appraisal systems for managing employee performance in the luxury retail fashion industry
An examination of the relationship between work-life balance and job satisfaction in blue-collar workplaces, A systematic review
Exploring HR personnel’s experiences managing digital workplace bullying in multinational corporations
Assessing the success of HR team integration following merger and acquisition on employee engagement and performance
Exploring HR green practices and their effects on retention of millennial talent in the fintech industry
Assessing the impact of human resources analytics in successfully navigating digital transformation within the healthcare sector
Exploring the role of HR staff in the development and maintenance of ethical business practices in fintech SMEs
An analysis of employee perceptions of current HRM practices in a fully remote IT workspace

Topics & Ideas: Finance & Accounting

An analysis of the effect of employee financial literacy on decision-making in manufacturing start-ups in Ghana
Assessing the impact of corporate green innovation on financial performance in listed companies in Estonia
Assessing the effect of corporate governance on financial performance in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea
An evaluation of financial risk management practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia
Exploring the role of leadership financial literacy in the transition from start-up to scale-up in the retail e-commerce industry.
A review of influential macroeconomic factors on the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender
An examination of the use of financial derivatives in risk management
Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency disruption on stock trading practices in the EU
An analysis of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in academic publishing houses
A comparison of financial ratios performance in evaluating E-commerce startups in South Korea.
An evaluation of the role of government policies in facilitating manufacturing companies’ successful transitioning from start-up to scale-ups in Denmark
Assessing the financial value associated with industry 4.0 transitions in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
Exploring the role of effective e-leadership on financial performance in the Nigerian fintech industry
A review of digital disruptions in CRM practices and their associated financial impact on listed companies during the Covid-19 pandemic
Exploring the importance of Sharia-based business practices on SME financial performance in multicultural countries

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Ideas: Operations Management

An assessment of the impact of blockchain technology on operations management practices in the transport industry of Estonia
An evaluation of supply chain disruption management strategies and their impact on business performance in Lithuania
Exploring the role of lean manufacturing in the automotive industry of Malaysia and its effects on improving operational efficiency
A critical review of optimal operations management strategies in luxury goods manufacturing for ensuring supply chain resilience
Exploring the role of globalization on Supply chain diversification, a pre/post analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic
An analysis of the relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription-based business models
Assessing the cost of sustainable sourcing practices on operations management and supply chain resilience in the Cocao industry.
An examination of the adoption of behavioural predictive analytics in operations management practices, a case study of the
Italian automotive industry
Exploring the effect of operational complexity on business performance following digital transformation
An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of agile methods in project management within governmental institutions
Assessing how the relationship between operational processes and business strategy change as companies transition from start-ups to scale-ups
Exploring the relationship between operational management and innovative business models, lessons from the fintech industry
A review of best practices for operations management facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the fast food industry
Exploring the viability of lean manufacturing practices in Vietnam’s plastics industry
Assessing engagement in cybersecurity considerations associated with operations management practices in industry 4.0 manufacturing

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

Topics & Ideas: International Business

The impact of cultural differences in communication on international business relationships
An evaluation of the role of government import and export policies in shaping international business practices
The effect of global shipping conditions on international business strategies
An analysis of the challenges of managing multinational corporations: branch management
The influence of social media marketing on international business operations
The role of international trade agreements on business activities in developing countries
An examination of the impact of currency fluctuations on international business and cost competitiveness
The relationship between international business and sustainable development: perspectives and benefits
An evaluation of the challenges and opportunities of doing business in emerging markets such as the renewable energy industry
An analysis of the role of internationalisation via strategic alliances in international business
The impact of cross-cultural management on international business performance
The effect of political instability on international business operations: A case study of Russia
An analysis of the role of intellectual property rights in an international technology company’s business strategies
The relationship between corporate social responsibility and international business strategy: a comparative study of different industries
The impact of technology on international business in the fashion industry

Topics & Ideas: Leadership

A comparative study of the impact of different leadership styles on organizational performance
An evaluation of transformational leadership in today’s non-profit organizations
The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and productivity
An analysis of the relationship between leadership style and employee motivation
The influence of diversity and inclusion on leadership practices in South Africa
The impact of Artificial Intelligence technology on leadership in the digital age
An examination of the challenges of leadership in a rapidly changing business environment: examples from the finance industry
The relationship between leadership and corporate culture and job satisfaction
An evaluation of the role of transformational leadership in strategic decision-making
The use of leadership development programs in enhancing leadership effectiveness in multinational organisations
The impact of ethical leadership on organizational trust and reputation: an empirical study
An analysis of the relationship between various leadership styles and employee well-being in healthcare organizations
The role of leadership in promoting good work-life balance and job satisfaction in the age of remote work
The influence of leadership on knowledge sharing and innovation in the technology industry
An investigation of the impact of cultural intelligence on cross-cultural leadership effectiveness in global organizations

Business/Management Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a business-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various management-related degree programs (e.g., MBAs, DBAs, etc.) to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

Sustaining Microbreweries Beyond 5 Years (Yanez, 2022)
Perceived Stakeholder and Stockholder Views: A Comparison Among Accounting Students, Non-Accounting Business Students And Non-Business Students (Shajan, 2020)
Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility and the New Ecological Paradigm among Business Students in Southern California (Barullas, 2020)
Entrepreneurial opportunity alertness in small business: a narrative research study exploring established small business founders’ experience with opportunity alertness in an evolving economic landscape in the Southeastern United States (Hughes, 2019)
Work-Integrated Learning in Closing Skills Gap in Public Procurement: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study (Culver, 2021)
Analyzing the Drivers and Barriers to Green Business Practices for Small and Medium Enterprises in Ohio (Purwandani, 2020)
The Role of Executive Business Travel in a Virtual World (Gale, 2022)
Outsourcing Security and International Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Analysis of Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Human Rights Violations (Hawkins, 2022)
Lean-excellence business management for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Kurdistan region of Iraq (Mohammad, 2021)
Science Data Sharing: Applying a Disruptive Technology Platform Business Model (Edwards, 2022)
Impact of Hurricanes on Small Construction Business and Their Recovery (Sahu, 2022)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Fast-Track Your Topic Ideation

If you’d like hands-on help to speed up your topic ideation process and ensure that you develop a rock-solid research topic, check our our Topic Kickstarter service below.

10 Comments

Great help. thanks

Hi, Your work is very educative, it has widened my knowledge. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for helping me understand how to craft a research topic. I’m pursuing a PGDE. Thank you

a feasibility study for the establishment of rice processing system in (_____)

Effect of Leadership, computerized accounting systems, risk management and monitoring on the quality of financial Reports among listed banks

May you assist on a possible PhD topic on analyzing economic behaviours within environmental, climate and energy domains, from a gender perspective. I seek to further investigate if/to which extent policies in these domains can be deemed economically unfair from a gender perspective, and whether the effectiveness of the policies can be increased while striving for inequalities not being perpetuated.

healthy work environment and employee diversity, technological innovations and their role in management practices, cultural difference affecting advertising, honesty as a company policy, an analysis of the relationships between quality management and customer satisfaction in subscription based business model,business corruption cases. That I was selected from the above topics.

Research topic accounting

Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income?

Kindly assist me with a research topic on low income? PHD/ Doctoral thesis

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Business Management

400 Trending Business Management Research Topics in 2024

Home Blog Business Management 400 Trending Business Management Research Topics in 2024

Business management is crucial for competitiveness and profitability in today's fast-paced world. It involves understanding business structure, finance, marketing, and strategy. Pursuing a postgraduate course, like PGDM, often requires a well-researched paper to launch one's career. The main challenge is selecting a relevant, trending research topic. To assist, here are ten current business management research topics for 2024, focusing on technological advancements and innovative leadership strategies. Enrolling in Business Management training courses can further enhance your skills and knowledge, propelling your career to new heights. Let's explore these cutting-edge topics together for career growth.

Business Management Research Topics [Based on Different Industries]

A. business management research topics for business administration.

Data analytics’ role in company performance and decision-making.
Revolution of firm operations and strategy due to artificial intelligence.
How sustainable business practices affect a company’s financial performance.
Blockchain technology’s role in business.
Impact of fintech on traditional financial institutions.
How digital transformation affects organizational culture.
Consequences of social media marketing for customer engagement.
Impact of the gig economy on the traditional employment model.
Abuse experienced by women in the workplace.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chain management.
Impact of agile methodologies on business management.
The role of emotional intelligence in business leadership.
Outsourcing and its effects on business efficiency.
Implementing corporate governance for better decision-making.
The influence of consumer behavior on marketing strategies.
E-commerce trends and their impact on retail businesses.
Strategies for managing business risks and uncertainties.
Ethical considerations in business strategy formulation.
Role of business analytics in strategic planning.
Organizational resilience in times of economic downturns.
Corporate philanthropy and its impact on business reputation.
Change management strategies for business growth.
Impact of employee engagement on organizational performance.
Role of innovation hubs in business development.
The influence of global trade policies on local businesses.
Business model innovation in the digital age.
Customer relationship management (CRM) systems and their impact.
The role of leadership development programs in businesses.
Strategic alliances and partnerships in business growth.
The impact of business process reengineering on performance.
The effectiveness of telecommuting in business operations.
Business continuity planning in disaster management.
The impact of organizational structure on business efficiency.
The role of corporate governance in fraud prevention.
The influence of market segmentation on business strategies.
The role of strategic management in business growth.
The impact of regulatory changes on business operations.
The role of knowledge management in business success.
The impact of employee training and development on performance.
Strategies for improving business process efficiency.
The role of innovation in competitive advantage.
The impact of globalization on small businesses.
The role of social responsibility in business ethics.
Strategies for enhancing customer loyalty.
The impact of digital marketing on business growth.
The role of strategic planning in organizational success.
The influence of leadership styles on business outcomes.
Strategies for managing business transformation.
The impact of technological advancements on business operations.
The role of corporate social responsibility in branding.
The effectiveness of business incubators in start-up success.
The role of organizational culture in business performance.
The impact of financial management on business sustainability.
The influence of business intelligence on decision-making.
Strategies for improving customer satisfaction.

B. Business Management Research Topics for Accounting and Finance

Asset pricing and financial markets
Business history
Corporate finance
Corporate governance
Credit management
Financial accounting and auditing
Organizations: ownership, governance and performance
SME finance
Sustainable finance and ESG
Venture capital and private equity
Banking and financial intermediation
Behavioral finance
The effect of digital currencies on global finance.
Forensic accounting and fraud detection.
Impact of financial regulations on banking operations.
Corporate financial planning and risk management.
Trends in international financial reporting standards.
The role of auditing in corporate governance.
Financial forecasting techniques in business planning.
The impact of economic crises on financial markets.
Mergers and acquisitions: Financial implications and outcomes.
The role of financial technology in modern banking.
Sustainable investment strategies and their impact.
Corporate social responsibility and financial performance.
Financial literacy and its importance for small businesses.
The role of credit rating agencies in financial markets.
Comparative analysis of different investment portfolios.
The impact of taxation policies on business growth.
Financial management practices in non-profit organizations.
Trends in global investment and capital flows.
The role of financial markets in economic development.
Ethical issues in financial reporting.
Financial risk management in multinational corporations.
The role of financial intermediaries in economic growth.
The impact of financial innovations on market stability.
Financial distress and corporate restructuring.
The role of hedge funds in financial markets.
The influence of monetary policy on financial markets.
Behavioral finance and investor psychology.
The impact of interest rates on investment decisions.
Corporate governance and shareholder value.
The role of venture capital in entrepreneurial success.
Financial market efficiency and anomalies.
The influence of financial globalization on local markets.
Financial inclusion and its impact on economic development.
The role of institutional investors in corporate governance.
The impact of fiscal policy on financial markets.
Financial market integration and economic growth.
The role of financial regulation in preventing crises.
The influence of economic indicators on financial markets.
Financial planning for retirement and its importance.
The role of microfinance in poverty alleviation.
Financial implications of environmental sustainability.
The impact of demographic changes on financial markets.
The role of corporate finance in strategic decision-making.
Financial analysis and valuation of companies.
The influence of globalization on financial reporting standards.

C. Business Management Research Topics for Economics

Environment, infrastructure, innovation and the circular economy
Work, labour and organisation
Financialisation and globalisation
Development and wellbeing
The macro economy and macroeconomic policy
The impact of trade wars on global economies.
Economic policies and their effect on unemployment rates.
Economic implications of climate change policies.
The future of globalization in the post-pandemic world.
Behavioral economics and consumer decision-making.
Economic growth and income inequality.
The role of government subsidies in economic development.
Economic effects of demographic changes.
Digital economy and its impact on traditional industries.
The relationship between inflation and interest rates.
The impact of economic sanctions on global trade.
The economics of renewable energy sources.
Economic policies for sustainable development.
The role of entrepreneurship in economic growth.
Economic impacts of technological advancements.
Comparative analysis of economic systems.
The effect of financial crises on emerging markets.
Economic policies for managing public debt.
The impact of immigration on labor markets.
The role of international trade in economic development.
The impact of monetary policy on economic stability.
The influence of fiscal policy on economic growth.
Economic implications of global health crises.
The role of education in economic development.
The impact of urbanization on economic growth.
Economic policies for reducing income inequality.
The influence of political stability on economic development.
The role of innovation in economic growth.
Economic effects of environmental regulations.
The impact of global economic integration on local economies.
Economic policies for promoting entrepreneurship.
The influence of cultural factors on economic behavior.
The impact of technological advancements on labor markets.
Economic implications of international trade agreements.
The role of government intervention in market economies.
The impact of population growth on economic development.
Economic policies for managing inflation.
The influence of global economic trends on local economies.
The impact of economic crises on poverty levels.
The role of social welfare programs in economic development.
Economic implications of digital currencies.
The influence of economic policies on business cycles.
The impact of economic inequality on social stability.

D. Business Management Research Topics for International Business

International business policy, SDGs and “grand challenges”
International business, migration and society
Global health and international business
Cross-cultural management, diversity and inclusion
The theory of the multinational enterprise (MNE)
The governance of global value chains (GVCs)
Emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs)
The impact of political instability on international business.
Strategies for managing cultural differences in global teams.
The role of international trade agreements in business expansion.
Global business strategies in emerging markets.
International marketing challenges and opportunities.
The impact of Brexit on European businesses.
Global supply chain management best practices.
The role of global business networks in innovation.
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions: Challenges and strategies.
The influence of global economic trends on business strategy.
International business ethics and legal considerations.
The impact of digital globalization on traditional business models.
Strategies for entering new international markets.
The role of global leadership in multinational corporations.
International business communication challenges.
The impact of global crises on international business operations.
Managing global talent and human resources.
The role of expatriates in international business.
Global financial management practices.
The impact of cultural intelligence on international business success.
Strategies for managing international business risks.
The role of international joint ventures in business growth.
The influence of global consumer behavior on marketing strategies.
The impact of international regulatory changes on business operations.
Strategies for managing cross-cultural negotiations.
The role of global logistics in supply chain management.
The influence of international economic policies on business strategy.
The impact of global technological advancements on business operations.
Strategies for managing international business partnerships.
The role of international business in economic development.
The impact of global trade policies on business competitiveness.
The influence of international market trends on business strategy.
Strategies for managing international business expansion.
The role of global innovation hubs in business development.
The impact of cultural differences on international business negotiations.
The influence of global financial markets on business operations.
Strategies for managing international business compliance.
The role of international business in promoting sustainability.
The impact of global economic integration on business strategy.
The influence of cultural diversity on international business success.
Strategies for managing international business innovation.
The role of global entrepreneurship in business growth.
The impact of international trade disputes on business operations.
The influence of global economic shifts on business strategy.
Strategies for managing international business risks and uncertainties.

E. Business Management Project Topics for Management

Organizational strategy
Global supply chains
Leadership and performance
Technology and innovation
Digital transformation
Sustainability
Information management and information systems
Learning and change
Human information processing
Decision making
Strategies for managing remote teams.
The role of leadership in fostering innovation.
Performance management systems in modern businesses.
Conflict management and resolution strategies.
The impact of organizational culture on employee performance.
Strategic human resource management practices.
The role of technology in transforming management practices.
Change management in dynamic business environments.
Effective communication strategies in management.
The impact of leadership styles on organizational change.
Crisis management and business continuity planning.
Employee motivation techniques in diverse workforces.
The role of mentoring in leadership development.
Strategic planning in uncertain business environments.
The influence of corporate culture on business success.
Managing innovation in established companies.
The impact of globalization on management practices.
Decision-making processes in business management.
Strategies for enhancing employee productivity.
The role of ethics in business management.
Managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The impact of emotional intelligence on leadership effectiveness.
Strategies for managing organizational change.
The role of corporate governance in management practices.
Managing cross-functional teams for business success.
The influence of digital transformation on management practices.
Strategies for improving employee engagement and retention.
The role of strategic alliances in business growth.
Managing work-life balance in modern organizations.
The impact of leadership development programs on business performance.
Strategies for fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The role of management consulting in business success.
Managing organizational conflicts and their resolution.
The influence of corporate social responsibility on management practices.
Strategies for managing business process reengineering.
The role of technology in enhancing management practices.
Managing employee performance through effective feedback.
The impact of leadership styles on team dynamics.
Strategies for improving organizational communication.
The role of strategic management in business success.
Managing organizational growth and scalability.
The influence of corporate ethics on management decisions.
Strategies for managing business transformation and change.
The role of human resource management in organizational development.
Managing innovation and creativity in the workplace.

F. Project Topics for Marketing

Corporate responsibility and sustainability
Green marketing and advertising
International marketing
Cross cultural buyer-seller relationships
Consumer buying behaviour
Analysis of consumer heterogeneous preferences and discrete choice analysis
Retailing and store choice analysis
Branding and brand equity
Formulating and implementing sustainability marketing strategies: Bridging the gap
Marketing strategy making
Emergent marketing strategy and decision making in marketing organizations
Export marketing strategy and performance
Sustainable strategies of multinational corporations
Standardizations/adaptation of international service offerings
International marketing process standardization/adaptation
Strategies for leveraging user-generated content in marketing campaigns.
The impact of augmented reality on consumer purchasing decisions.
Marketing strategies for virtual reality products.
The influence of personalization on consumer loyalty.
The effectiveness of loyalty programs in retaining customers.
The role of neuromarketing in understanding consumer behavior.
Strategies for marketing to Generation Z.
The impact of voice search on digital marketing strategies.
The influence of podcast advertising on brand awareness.
Marketing strategies for crowdfunding campaigns.
The role of gamification in enhancing customer engagement.
The impact of blockchain technology on marketing practices.
The effectiveness of omnichannel marketing strategies.
The influence of artificial intelligence on customer service.
Marketing strategies for non-profit organizations.
The impact of eco-labeling on consumer purchasing behavior.
The role of data privacy regulations on digital marketing.
The influence of interactive content on consumer engagement.
Marketing strategies for subscription box services.
The impact of influencer partnerships on brand reputation.
The effectiveness of cross-promotion in increasing sales.
The role of predictive analytics in marketing strategy.
The influence of social commerce on consumer behavior.
Marketing strategies for pop-up shops and temporary retail spaces.
The impact of mobile payment systems on consumer spending.
The role of virtual influencers in marketing campaigns.
The effectiveness of geotargeting in local marketing.
The influence of ethical branding on consumer trust.
Marketing strategies for cause-related marketing campaigns.
The impact of social media challenges on brand engagement.
The role of experiential marketing in building brand loyalty.
The influence of mobile gaming on advertising effectiveness.
The effectiveness of remarketing campaigns in conversion rates.
The impact of chatbots on customer experience in e-commerce.
The role of video marketing in enhancing brand storytelling.
Marketing strategies for health and wellness products.
The influence of social proof on consumer purchasing decisions.
The effectiveness of SMS marketing in reaching target audiences.
The impact of subscription models on customer retention.
The role of interactive advertising in consumer engagement.
Marketing strategies for sustainable fashion brands.
The influence of visual content on social media engagement.
The effectiveness of email segmentation in increasing open rates.
The impact of digital wallets on consumer behavior.
The role of affiliate marketing in driving sales.

G. Business Management Research Topics for Employment Relations

Labour mobility, migration and citizenship
Markets, flexibilization and social protection
Voice, representation and social movement
Digitalization, automation, platformisation, and the future of work
Between professions and precarity: the new world of work
Changing structures of governance and organisation
Employment, skills and occupations
The impact of flexible working arrangements on employee productivity.
Strategies for managing employee relations in remote work environments.
The role of employee resource groups in promoting diversity and inclusion.
The impact of gig economy trends on traditional employment relations.
Strategies for handling workplace harassment and discrimination.
The role of mental health initiatives in employee well-being.
The impact of automation on employment relations in manufacturing.
Strategies for managing employee grievances and disputes.
The role of labor unions in the modern workforce.
The impact of cultural diversity on employee relations.
Strategies for fostering a positive organizational culture.
The role of employee feedback in improving workplace policies.
The impact of generational differences on employee relations.
Strategies for enhancing employee participation in decision-making.
The role of work-life balance in employee satisfaction.
The impact of telecommuting on team dynamics.
Strategies for managing employee turnover in high-stress industries.
The role of employee recognition programs in motivation.
The impact of workplace wellness programs on employee productivity.
Strategies for improving communication between management and employees.
The role of training and development in employee engagement.
The impact of job security on employee morale.
Strategies for managing conflict in multicultural teams.
The role of leadership styles in shaping employee relations.
The impact of economic downturns on employment practices.
Strategies for addressing employee burnout and fatigue.
The role of corporate social responsibility in employee relations.
The impact of remote work on employee collaboration.
Strategies for enhancing employee loyalty and retention.
The role of digital tools in managing employee relations.
The impact of legal regulations on employment practices.
Strategies for fostering innovation through employee engagement.
The role of mentorship programs in career development.
The impact of employee empowerment on organizational success.
Strategies for managing employee relations in mergers and acquisitions.
The role of conflict resolution training in improving workplace harmony.
The impact of social media policies on employee behavior.
Strategies for promoting ethical behavior in the workplace.
The role of transparency in building employee trust.
The impact of employee surveys on organizational improvement.
Strategies for managing generational conflicts in the workplace.
The role of flexible benefits in employee satisfaction.
The impact of workplace design on employee productivity.
Strategies for addressing the skills gap in the workforce.
The role of employee advocacy in shaping company policies.

H. Project Topics for Business ethics topics

Maintaining Compliance with Independent Contractors
The perception of tax evasion ethics
Consumer Rights to Privacy and Confidentiality
The role of ethical leadership in fostering corporate integrity.
Strategies for promoting transparency in business operations.
The impact of corporate governance on ethical business practices.
The role of ethics training programs in shaping employee behavior.
The influence of corporate culture on ethical decision-making.
Strategies for managing ethical dilemmas in the workplace.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on business reputation.
The role of whistleblowing policies in promoting ethical conduct.
The influence of stakeholder engagement on ethical business practices.
Strategies for ensuring compliance with ethical standards.
The impact of ethical branding on consumer trust.
The role of corporate ethics committees in governance.
The influence of regulatory frameworks on business ethics.
Strategies for fostering an ethical organizational culture.
The impact of ethical supply chain management on brand reputation.
The role of sustainability initiatives in ethical business practices.
The influence of ethical marketing on consumer behavior.
Strategies for addressing ethical issues in digital marketing.
The impact of business ethics on corporate financial performance.
The role of ethical considerations in mergers and acquisitions.
The influence of corporate ethics on employee loyalty.
Strategies for managing conflicts of interest in business.
The impact of ethical leadership on organizational success.
The role of ethics in strategic business planning.
The influence of ethical practices on investor relations.
Strategies for ensuring ethical compliance in global operations.
The impact of ethics on corporate governance frameworks.
The role of ethical innovation in business sustainability.
The influence of corporate social responsibility on stakeholder trust.
Strategies for managing ethical risks in business.
The impact of ethical leadership on employee engagement.
The role of ethics in business continuity planning.
The influence of ethical considerations on product development.
Strategies for promoting ethical behavior in customer service.
The impact of corporate ethics on competitive advantage.
The role of ethics in managing corporate social media presence.
The influence of ethical practices on supply chain resilience.
Strategies for fostering ethical behavior in remote teams.
The impact of business ethics on brand equity.
The role of ethical considerations in crisis management.
The influence of corporate governance on ethical leadership.
Strategies for integrating ethics into business strategy.
The impact of ethical consumerism on marketing strategies.
The role of ethical decision-making in corporate success.
The influence of corporate ethics on organizational change.

What are Some Good Business Management Research Topics in 2024?

Conflict Management in a Work Team
The Role of Women in Business Management
Issues that Affect the Management of Business Startups
Consequences of Excessive Work in Business
Why You Should Start a New Business After One Fails
Importance of Inter-organizational Leadership and Networks
How to Manage Organizational Crisis in Business
Product and Service Development in a Strategic Alliance
Innovation and Network Markets as a Business Strategy
Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Every aspect of business, like strategy, finance, operations, and management, is essential. So, it’s hard to say that a particular area of research is more significant. Choosing the best research topic in business management within your area of interest or specialization is one way to decide what your business management research project will be about. It is also a learning process and an opportunity to showcase your in-depth knowledge.

But if you want to explore other options, write about trending issues and events in the business world, and learn something new, here’s a list of 10 research proposal topics in business management that can help you create an engaging and practical project. You can also take a CCBA training certification to learn more in-depth about business management.

1. Conflict Management in a Work Team

With businesses going global, team management has escalated from merely managing people to guiding, mentoring and resolving conflicts among individuals. Teams with multicultural members from different departments are fertile ground for conflicts. If you are looking for international business management research topics, conflict management in work teams is an excellent option.

This research will give you an insight into the various causes of conflict and different techniques and methods of conflict resolution within global multi-lingual and multi-cultural teams enabling you to lead teams successfully and keep disruptions minimal. Better teams translate to better productivity and, eventually, revenue. On the personal front, it means career growth, leadership roles, and higher pay scales for you.

2. The Role of Women in Business Management

In contemporary society, women have made notable strides in shattering patriarchal norms and embracing diverse opportunities and career paths, thereby demonstrating their strength and autonomy. While women encounter challenges in assuming leadership roles, often stemming from prevailing cultural attitudes, their presence in business management positions is more prevalent than commonly perceived. This prompts inquiry into the factors that contribute to the exceptional success of certain women in managerial positions and the unique value they bring to such roles. Exploring this subject through qualitative research could yield insightful findings regarding women's impact on business management.

3. Issues that Affect the Management of Business Startups

The COVID-19 pandemic drove everyone online and created a new digital startup ecosystem. However, while it may be easy to set up a digital business , sustenance, scaling, and growth are some of the challenges that follow. If you are entrepreneurial, your research title about business management should read something like “Challenges in the startup ecosystem.” Such research covers issues that affect the management of business startups. It covers the various factors that lead to success and the pitfalls and obstacles on the growth trajectory. It covers effective strategies to mitigate or work around challenges, and this is where you can get creative. Limiting your research to startups is okay, but you can also cover significant ground across other business models.

4. Consequences of Excessive Work in Business

Work-life balance is the buzzword in today’s business environment. If you choose to write your thesis on the impact of excessive work in business, it could well escalate to international levels as everyone talks about employee well-being, from corporates to SMEs and top management to HR.

The single most significant reason behind this is the instances of early burnout seen in the past. Secondly, globalization is another cause for concern since people are often required to work multiple shifts. Lastly, the recent trend of post-Covid layoffs that have driven the need for side hustle makes it even more necessary to keep track of how hectic business operations are.

5. Why You Should Start a New Business After One Fails

Failure is the steppingstone to success. Or so the saying goes. The recent outcrop of start-ups has proven this to be true. If one venture fails, do not give up. Learn from the experience and start again. Not only is that the mantra of the current generation, but it is also among the trending quantitative research topics in business management.

The main objective and outcome of this business management research topic are to explore lessons learned from failures, the advantages of starting afresh, and the strategies for overcoming the fear of failure.

6. Importance of Inter-organizational Leadership and Networks

This research focuses on managing global networks in leadership roles. It is among the hot favorite research topics for business management students considering how businesses are going global. If you are an aspiring global entrepreneur or leader, you would want to know more about local and global inter-organizational networks, how things work, how people communicate, etc. Researching inter-organizational leadership and networks can provide insights into businesses' challenges and opportunities when building and maintaining relationships. Managing these relationships is another challenging part of the process, and that is what you will learn through this research.

7. How to Manage Organizational Crisis in Business

Not only is crisis management a critical leadership skill, but today's turbulent business environment is fertile ground for an organizational crisis. Globalization, digitization, and the startup ecosystem have disrupted the environment. Barring corporates, a crisis can strike any business at any time and bailing out of that crisis is the responsibility of the business leadership. Managing an organizational crisis in business is a popular business management research paper topic, especially among MBA students, PGDM, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

8. Product and Service Development in a Strategic Alliance

When it comes to research paper topics related to business management, one area worth exploring is product bundling in a strategic alliance. The ICICI credit card offered to online customers of Amazon India is a classic example.

Development of such strategic products or services requires in-depth product knowledge, knowledge of finance, and of course, a strategic mindset. If you have a strategic mindset and interest in product management, this is one of your best business management research project topics.

9. Innovation and Network Markets as a Business Strategy

Innovation and Network marketing is an emerging and strategic business model for startups. When entrepreneurs need more resources to raise seed or venture capital for their businesses, they elect to market their products through networking. Social Media platforms like Facebook offer substantial networking opportunities. Choose this probe as your quantitative research topic for business management if you have entrepreneurial aspirations to understand every aspect of this business model and strategy in depth.

10. Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Social enterprise is any business having a social objective and undertaking activities in the public interest. Writing a research paper on social enterprises and entrepreneurship will lead you to explore opportunities that can bring an innovative change in society and hold business potential. One thing to remember if you want to explore social enterprise and entrepreneurship as one of several business management research titles is that the organizational goal is primarily social impact rather than revenue generation. This research will make you more open to an inclusive idea of growth by bringing you closer to social causes, marginalized communities, and people thriving in them.

How to Find Business Management Research Topics?

This is just our list of hot and trending business research topics. To help you discover more research project topics on business management, here are some quick-follow tips:

1. Identify Your Interests

Start by making a list of the various aspects of business management that interest you. Rate them on a scale of 1-10, with one being the least liked and 10 being your most favorite. You can also narrow down your topic to a specific niche while seeking sample research topics in business management.

2. Read Academic Journals

You might want to conduct preliminary research on a few of the topics you shortlisted to see if something interesting jumps out at you. One way to do this is by reading academic journals related to your selected area of business management. Findings by earlier researchers may trigger innovative thought.

3. Attend Events

Attending business events like seminars, conferences, and webinars on topics of interest can help you narrow down your list of research topics related to business management. It is also an excellent way to gather knowledge about your area of interest as well as to grow your network.

4. Consult your supervisor or Mentor

Your thesis supervisor is a valuable resource when searching for the best research topics in business management. They can guide you about relevant research areas and help you identify potential research questions apart from guiding you on research presentation.

5. Use Online Resources

Many research journals online allow students access to research papers either free of cost or in exchange for a small fee. Explore this resource and sign up for a few that are relevant to your area of interest.

Business Management Research: Types and Methodologies

Business research, like any other research, involves the collection of data and information about your chosen topic, analysis of the information and data gathered, and exploring new possibilities in the field.

Broadly speaking, research may be of two types – Quantitative or Qualitative. Quantitative research, also called empirical research, involves the collection of data from sample groups to answer a question. Qualitative research has more to do with the impact of certain phenomena. Such research is usually an extension of previously researched topics.

The table below highlights the difference between quantitative research topics in business management and qualitative research about business management.

Criteria	Quantitative Research Methods	Qualitative Research Methods
Data Collection	Numerical data	Non-numerical data such as words, images, and observations
Purpose	Investigate cause-and-effect relationships, test hypotheses, and generate statistical models	Gain an in-depth understanding of complex phenomena, explore social processes, and generate new theories
Sample Size	quantitative research topic for business management requires a fairly large sample size	qualitative research topics in business management have a comparatively small sample size
Analysis Techniques	techniques such as regression analysis or correlation analysis	Content analysis or thematic analysis
Examples of Research Topics in business management	"The impact of employee satisfaction on customer Loyalty" or "The relationship between Corporate social responsibility and financial Performance"	"The Experiences of Women in top leadership positions" or "The Impact of organizational culture on employee motivation"

The world of business management is constantly evolving and finding the right business management research topic might seem like a Herculean task. But, with a little thought, planning, and some research, it is not that hard. So, the 90 topics we've explored in this blog represent some of the most significant areas of development in the field of business management today, from the rise of women as business leaders and to the importance of innovation and network markets. As we move into 2024 and beyond, it's clear that these topics will only continue to grow in importance, shaping the way we do business and interact with the world around us. By staying informed and engaged with the latest research and trends, you can position yourself as a thought leader and innovator in the world of business management.

Also, our pointers on how to discover a business management research topic will help you identify a list of research topics in business management for your thesis. You can then narrow it down to your area of talent or interest. If you still want to know more, you can enroll in our KnowledgeHut's Business Management training , where you’ll learn more about the different aspects of business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An example of a business research study could be investigating the impact of social media marketing on consumer buying behavior or examining the effectiveness of a new leadership development program in a company.

The 4 types of business research include:

Exploratory
Descriptive

Business management is wide in scope, and there is a spectrum of research topics to choose from. The most prominent areas of business include finance, operations, procurement, marketing, and HR. Within each of these, you’ll find several macro and micro niches to explore.

Mansoor Mohammed

Mansoor Mohammed is a dynamic and energetic Enterprise Agile Coach, P3M & PMO Consultant, Trainer, Mentor, and Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in Strategy Execution and Business Agility. With a background in Avionics, Financial Services, Banking, Telecommunications, Retail, and Digital, Mansoor has led global infrastructure and software development teams, launched innovative products, and enabled Organizational Change Management. As a results-driven leader, he excels in collaborating, adapting, and driving partnerships with stakeholders at all levels. With expertise in Change Management, Transformation, Lean, Agile, and Organizational Design, Mansoor is passionate about aligning strategic goals and delivering creative solutions for successful business outcomes. Connect with him to explore change, Agile Governance, implementation delivery, and the future of work.

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Business Research Topics For Students

When pursuing business programs in colleges and universities, students are required to write papers or do my thesis on business research topics. The major challenge for most students is choosing topics for their papers. A vast majority of them are stuck in this step because they fear choosing a topic that is not interesting or too broad and end up with poor grades.

Nevertheless, many inspirations in the contemporary can guide you when choosing business topics for a research paper. Whether you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or preparing for your Ph.D. defense, there are many topics that you can write about. You just need to choose a topic that you will be interested in researching and writing a paper about.

How to Find Business Research Topics

Best business research paper topics, examples of business-related research topics, business management research topics, business law topics for research paper, international business research paper, business administration topics, argumentative business topics, business communication topics for presentation, business persuasive and informative speech topics, business debate topics, qualitative research titles about business for your dissertation, mba research paper topics, entrepreneurial research topics, business intelligence topics, the most asked business research paper questions, where to get help with business research topics.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a topic for a research paper about business. They include the following:

Whether your professor provides the topic scope and if you are permitted to change it.
Whether you have been given a thematic area within which to choose a topic.
Whether you have specialized in a specific subject.
If you have the total freedom to choose your topic

If you have complete freedom to choose your topic, start with a little research. For instance, you can read news websites, analyze successful companies and corporations, or track problems that other people write about. If you still don’t find a topic after doing this, consider the examples of business research topics provided here.

Your choice of the best topic for your business paper should depend on the field you are interested in. Additionally, your topic should be engaging and related to your study program. It should also enable you to conduct extensive research and come up with facts to back up your argument. What’s more, the best business topics for research papers grab the readers’ attention.

This explains why many students get nervous or struggle when required to choose topics for their business papers. Nevertheless, students cover many topics and subjects during their studies. What you learn in class can, therefore, be your inspiration when choosing topics for business research papers. But, if you find it hard to come up with a topic for your research paper, the internet has many samples that you can consider.

Though there are many sample topics to consider when writing a business research paper, your choice should depend on your study level, the field of interest, and assignment requirements. Here are different categories of business research topics for college students and their examples.

Business Ethics Research Paper Topics

Business ethics is a study field that gives students the freedom to choose from different topics. For instance, a student can choose a topic in this field around duties, morality, integrity, and business behavior. The increasing business ethics issues widen the range of the topics students can choose from in this category. What’s more, business ethics cover ethical conflicts between individuals and groups of employers, employees, customers, and the surrounding. Here are examples of topics for research papers in this category.

Effects of Moral Principles on Business Decisions
Causes of Unethical Conducts in Workplaces
Should Businesses Be Honest with their Customers All the Time?
The Psychology and History of Business Ethics
Examples of Moral Judgment that Doesn’t Work in Business
How Ethical Mistakes can Lead to Business Bankruptcy
Are Business Ethics the Same for the Manager and the Personnel?
How to Avoid Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
Why is an Ethical Code Important for Companies?
Taking Responsibility for the Corporate Ethics of a Company

The fact that people engage in different businesses creates a chance to research common topics like workplace honesty and general topics like environmental protection.

When writing a business management research paper, it’s important to come up with a researchable and interesting question. This can be a challenging task because there are many facets and resources in the business management field. Nevertheless, it’s still possible to find a focused, narrow question that forms the topic of a research paper. Here are examples of topics for business management research papers.

Conflict Management in a Work Team
The Role of Women in Business Management
Issues that Affect Management of Business Startups
Consequences of Excessive Work in Business
Why You Should Start a New Business After One Fails
Importance of Inter-organizational Leadership and Networks
How to Manage Organizational Crisis in Business
Product and Service Development in a Strategic Alliance
Innovation and Network Markets as a Business Strategy
Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Business management research paper topics should not be too narrow or too broad. Nevertheless, there are many topics on enterprise, trade, commerce, and other subjects that you can explore because they all require extensive research.

A business law topic is not easy to find. That’s because your topic should attract the attention of your reader and relate to the broad field of business law. As such, you should narrow down your topic to something more focused. Here are examples of topics for business law papers.

How Do You Define Authority Before You Start Business Negotiations?
Insider Trading- What Does it Mean in the Contemporary World?
Are Alcohol Consumption and Sale Laws Beneficial to the Public’s Wellbeing?
Should Some Corporate Crimes Warrant Death Penalty?
Can State Officials Succeed when Dismissed for their Implication in Corruption Cases?
How Marijuana-Based Businesses Interact with the Federal and State Law
What Should a Business Do to Ensure that Its Former Employees Do Not Join Its Rival Firm?
Should Author Protection for Written Work Be Done with Nom de Plumes or Legal Names?
How can Non-Disclosure Agreements save a Company from Disgruntled former Employees?
How is Copyright Law Favorable to an Artist or a Singer when the Recording Company represents it?

Though there are many business law research topics , it’s important to choose a topic that you are personally interested in to make writing your paper an interesting task.

International topics allow students to explore global business subjects. These topics can be more complex though lucrative. It’s not surprising that this category comprises mostly of business research topics for MBA students. Here are examples of international topics for research papers.

Is Social Media Presence Important for Companies Around the World?
How Does War between Countries Affect Businesses?
Examples of Companies that Have Failed in the International Markets and Why How Do You Spot a Small Business that is Likely to Become a Successful Multi-National?
What Languages are Likely to Be International Business Languages in the Future?
Should international companies be forced to supply healthcare services to full-time employees?
Should maternity leave in international business be increased?
Should recruiters be allowed to ask questions about an applicant’s personal life?
Should we attempt for an equal representation of male and feminine leaders within the workplace?
Should social media sites be blocked at work?
Casual dress codes and the corporate world.
International businesses and their influence on national businesses.

International topics for research papers should be current. They can’t be too general or too narrow. If your topic is too general or too narrow, you will be writing a paper that won’t delve deep or say much. This won’t earn you the grade you desire.

Topics on business administration give students a chance to explore something innovative. However, choosing a topic in this category can frustrating because there are many options available. Here are examples of business administration topics.

How Advertisement Affects Consumer Behavior
How Wages Affect Employees’ Productivity
How Staff Motivation Affects Productivity
How to Measure Employee Retention Rate
Customer follow-up techniques as after-sales methods.
Why business will harden you
Emotional intelligence
Equal opportunities for both sexes
Good governance ethics and social responsibility.
The way to cope with a breach of contract.
The various external factors affecting employee retention.

When writing a business administration research paper, it’s important to choose an effective topic that you can research and present properly. It’s also important to consider the field you are interested in and the goal of writing your paper. An ideal business administration topic is one that you are interested to learn more about.

Argumentative business papers use the existing, published materials and literature. So, when choosing business research proposal topics in this category, students should explore the existing information first. This will enable them to use the existing data when presenting their understanding of the topics argumentatively. The major challenge is to choose a topic that relates to your field of business study. Here are examples of argumentative business topics.

Acquisition vs. merger- Which one is better?
Businesses that Focus on Market Vs. Businesses that Focus on Products
Is Offering Better Value to New Employees a Wise Move?
Can Business Develop Leadership through Practice and Learning?
Is it Wise for a Company to Exploit Labor in Maximizing Profits?
Investing in Digital Marketing and Social Media Campaigns- Does it Capture the Audience Attention?
Monetary Incentives Versus Personal Acknowledgement and Fringe Benefits
Is having a crypto investment risk for businesses?
Is there a bias against the workplace?
Is it possible to work while stressed?
Why are there corporate loans and special grants for females’ start-ups?

Before you decide to write a paper on an argumentative business topic, it’s important to establish your position. Make sure that you have evidence or you can find facts to support your position. Your idea should be put on a pedestal when making your argument.

Business communication is solely the act of sharing and distributing information between people within and outdoors a corporation and how the staff and management communicate to assist out organizational problems. The best researchable business communication topics for presentation include:

Social media usage
Non-verbal communication
Giving proper feedback
Communicating decisions during an issue or crisis
Business and email etiquettes and manners
Usage of company blogs
Role of influencers for building a brand
Impact of social media for workers
Differences between qualitative and quantitative data analysis
Secrets of advertising and marketing

You would have to note that these are two different things; informative speeches support educating and training. In persuasive speeches, you’re imploring that they participate in something or buy something. Some business persuasive and informative speech topics include:

Ergonomics in the workspace
Standards in creative and financial accounting
Understanding business copyright protection
What are the categories of insurance?
How to develop healthy work skills
How safety programs and dealing conditions relate to productivity
Conflict Management Strategies
How to create a comprehensive and viable business plan
Opportunities of internet advertising.
Internal control of resources.
What is a career break?
What impact do oil price fluctuations have on businesses?
Ways to draw in customer attention.
Time management
New fathers’ paternity leave.

Debate may be a valuable way of communicating and also persuading people. Interesting business debate topics for you include:

Can companies be trusted?
Are our casual dress codes beneficial for the company?
Employee drug test: yes, or no?
Should dating within the workplace be allowed?
Should companies spy on employees on social media?
Companies should be forced to produce health care for full-time employees.
Are employees that employment from home productive?
Does job satisfaction help in productivity?
Men should stay longer off for paternity leave.
Non-financial incentives and financial incentives – which is better?
How to put in place strict work policies.

Qualitative business research has to do with the creative and investigative analysis of intangible and inexact data. Here are some qualitative research titles about business for your dissertation.

Handling backlash during a project program
Ways to relieve pressure for strict work deadlines
Time management essence in goal setting
Managers should be flexible in their decisions.
How to manage an organizational crisis in business and work
What is a product development and how to do it the right way?
Major types of business insurance
Ways to enhance short and long run career plans
Networking for a successful manager
Harassment within the workplace.
Telemarketing ideas for tiny companies.

MBA is a prestigious postgraduate qualification outlining key business practices and is valued by top employers. Great MBA research paper topics include:

Gender representation in advertising
Impact of workplace diversity on company culture
Result of emotional branding on customer loyalty
Steps to run a successful retail business.
Molestation should be taken more seriously within the workplace.
Should business strikers be fired?
Strong unions are necessary for the economic process.
How do team-building events foster unity in the workplace?
To be a business owner, you need to learn to be organized.
Top ten strategic e-marketing issues.
Business and politics: should they be mixed?

This develops methods and tools for founders, which are given to start-up companies. To go in-depth, here are some entrepreneurial research topics:

Entrepreneurship skills acquisition and product innovation
Determining the impact of technological advancement on entrepreneurship in a company
Determinants of entrepreneurial innovation in an organization
Role of entrepreneurship in solving unemployment
To be a good business owner, you must learn to be well-organized
A way to promote the business without a marketing budget?
The right technique to write effective business letters
Important business ethics for running a startup
Negotiation techniques every manager must-have.
Recruitment and staffing decisions are crucial to the success of any business.
How performance-related pay can enhance motivation in the workplace.

Business intelligence ensures business owners and employees are at the top of their game at all times. Business intelligence topics worthy of consideration include:

Role of human resources in company development
Impact of organizational culture on employee performance
Evaluating the impact of strategy and leadership for organizational development
Factors influencing employee motivation.
SMEs and their risk management approach.
Ageism within the workplace
Impact of advertisement strategy on consumer behavior.
Data analysis implementation for business intelligence
Knowledge management for organizational knowledge generation
Research on knowledge extraction using data processing for business operations
How poor leadership can bankrupt a business.

A great business research paper requires a relevant subject and one that may distinguish it from other papers. Frequently asked business research paper questions include:

Repackaging a product: is it possible to avoid copyright infringement?
Is it possible for a father to require paternity leave at work?
What are the best methods of identifying bankruptcy and fraud?
Can discrimination affect the work environment?
Should companies provide penalties for smoking employers?
How does piracy influence the gaming business?
Is there anything like the law of molestation at the workplace?
What causes favoritism in the workplace?
15 Ways to start an e-business successfully
How is the worldwide pandemic changing international business strategies concerning different sectors?
What are the best training and development tactics in the office?

Topics for business papers fall into different categories. The choice of your topic should reflect your subject area or study field. But, above all, your topic should capture the readers’ attention from the moment they come across it. It should also be straightforward, original, and specific. That means you should understand your study field well to select a good topic. Therefore, conduct some research before you choose a topic for your business thesis or research paper. Besides, providing good topics for you, we can also help you with your business research paper topics.

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International business research: The real challenges are data and theory

Counterpoint
Open access
Published: 30 October 2022
Volume 53 , pages 2068–2087, ( 2022 )

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Jean-François Hennart 1 , 2 &
Dylan Sutherland 3

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We agree with Aguinis and Gabriel that, contrary to Eden and Nielsen, international business (IB) is not uniquely complex, but argue that it faces two unique challenges. First, because it deals with cross-country phenomena, IB data are less plentiful and reliable. Second, because IB uses many imported theories, and they tend to be influenced by the national environment of their authors, they often have, taken as is, limited applicability in many of the contexts IB studies. We illustrate our twin points by examining the secondary data used in IB to measure the economic activities of multinational enterprises outside their home country, both at the country level, using foreign direct investment (FDI) data from balance of payments statistics, and at the firm level, using firm-level databases such as Orbis. We document the serious shortcomings of FDI data and the problems encountered in using firm-level data. We then highlight some of the cultural biases inherent in Williamson’s version of transaction cost theory (TCT) but show how they can be overcome to arrive at a richer and more general theory that is applicable to a wider variety of contexts.

Introduction: Impact of International Business: Challenges and Solutions for Policy and Practice

Firms’ Internationalisation Strategies: The Evidence

From the Editors: Can I Trust Your Findings? Ruling Out Alternative Explanations in International Business Research

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

INTRODUCTION

In a recent article in the Journal of International Business Studies, Eden and Nielsen ( 2020 : 1610) write that “complexity is the underlying cause of the unique methodological problems facing international business research.” For them, international business (IB) research is uniquely complex because of its multiplicity, multiplexity, and dynamism: IB researchers need to take into account multiple actors, engaged in multiple relationships, which unfold over time. Aguinis and Gabriel ( 2021 ) counter that organizational behavior, strategic management, and entrepreneurship deal with similar complexity. We agree with them that research in IB is not necessarily more complex than that in other disciplines. Nonetheless, we believe that it is uniquely challenging for two main reasons. First, accessing reliable data on the questions IB researchers address, for example those related to MNE activity, is difficult. Second, IB scholars study contexts which often differ from those in which the theories they borrow have been elaborated. They must therefore modify or replace them to ensure local relevance and, even more challenging, greater generalizability. We first address some of the data issues faced by IB researchers and then discuss the challenges posed by theory.

IB scholars use primary data obtained through interviews and surveys, and secondary data from national statistical offices, international organizations, industry associations, commercial data providers, and firms via their annual reports and other regulatory filings.

Primary Data

Comparing primary data across countries, as IB must, is challenging because cultural factors make international comparison of responses to interviews and surveys difficult. Cross-national data equivalence requires that respondents of different cultures, often speaking different languages, understand and score survey questions the same way. This is problematic because respondents live and work in different contexts and hence might well be expected to interpret questions differently. The frequent need for translation also opens the door to variations in the way questions are understood. In addition, respondents in different countries are likely to also score differently. Japanese survey respondents are known to cluster their answers in the center of Likert scales, perhaps because Japanese culture values harmony and discourages extreme positions. This can lead to erroneous inferences (Hult et al., 2008 ). Yet data equivalence is imperative if one is to draw solid conclusions from studies that compare results across countries. Hult et al. ( 2008 ) concluded from a review of 167 studies using cross-cultural data between 1995 and 2005 that that challenge had not been taken as seriously by IB scholars as it should have been.

Secondary Data

Secondary data are increasingly used in empirical IB research (Cerar, Nell & Reiche, 2021 ). The availability and reliability of such data poses its own challenges for IB scholars. Much of the data generated by national statistical offices has a national focus. IB phenomena are by definition international and hence at best partially covered by these data sources. Space constraints do not allow for a complete treatment here of all the problems caused by the use of secondary data in IB, so we focus instead on the measurement of just one IB construct, though undoubtedly a central one (Wilkins, 1997 ), the multinational enterprise (MNE), and more specifically, its activities outside its home country.

Measuring MNE foreign activity at the country level

Many IB research questions require data on the amount of economic activity (sales, value added, employment, investments) generated in a given host country by all the subsidiaries of MNEs based in another country. Dunning ( 1993 ), for example, attempts to determine the extent to which firms based in a given country have set up operations abroad, and where they have done it. Buckley et al. ( 2007 ) test a number of hypotheses on the factors that determine in which foreign countries Chinese firms operate. Researchers have also investigated which host-country characteristics affect their attractiveness to foreign investors (Habib & Zurawicki, 2002 ), and the effect of foreign-owned economic activity on various facets of host-country development (e.g., Kwok & Tadesse, 2006 ; Li & Liu, 2005 ).

Flows and stocks of foreign direct investment obtained from Balance of Payments statistics (hereafter FDI flow and stock data) have often, one could say predominantly, been used to measure the economic activity in a country of all the foreign subsidiaries of MNEs based in another country. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s yearly World Investment Report uses such data to document the level and evolution of the value of the activities of foreign firms in a host country. FDI flows and stocks have been used as dependent variables (e.g., Bruno, Campos & Estrin, 2021 ; Buckley et al., 2007 ; Mariotti & Marzano, 2021 ) as well as main independent variables (e.g., Kwok & Tadesse, 2006 ). As in the case of data equivalence in surveys on which we touched earlier, the IB literature has overlooked the serious problems inherent in using this type of data to measure the economic activities of MNE subsidiaries. 1 This is why we chose this as an example of the difficulty that IB researchers have in obtaining reliable data on the constructs they study.

FDI flow and stock data are collected by central banks to build their country’s balance of payments. FDI flows record the net value of financial transactions between two countries when the investor has control of the foreign investment (typically when it owns 10% or more of the equity of the foreign investment). FDI stocks record the value of the stake held in domestic firms by firms based in a foreign country. FDI flow and stock data are attractive as they are readily available for a large number of countries and can be downloaded for free from the websites of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well as those of national statistical offices. While ease of access is clearly a plus point, there are significant limitations to their use. Three of them apply to both flow and stock measures: FDI statistics only (1) record the immediate origin and destination of the flows, not the ultimate ones (see below recent efforts to remedy this); (2) show sums directly sent by parents to their subsidiaries, not those borrowed locally; (3) measure financial flows, not the economic value created with them. Additionally, most published figures of FDI inflows and outflows are on a net basis, which makes interpretation difficult, and FDI stocks are reported using a variety of methodologies, thus hampering their comparability. Let us now look at each of these points.

Until 2014, all FDI flows and stocks were recorded on the basis of their immediate origin and destination. Recently the OECD has started to push countries to publish data on both the immediate and ultimate owners of FDI flows and stocks coming into their country. So far, however, only 19 developed countries have collected such data, and some of it has not been made public. The extensive past and current use of FDI flows and stocks measured on the basis of the immediate investor poses a number of problems. First, it often leads to misclassifying the owner of the investment. For example, when in 1998 General Motors set up an auto assembly plant in Poland, the National Bank of Poland classified it in its FDI statistics as a German investment into Poland because the immediate investor was Opel, General Motors’ wholly-owned German subsidiary, even though the ultimate one was its US parent, General Motors. Likewise Deutsche Telekom invested in Macedonia through its majority-owned subsidiary Magyar Telekom so the investment was registered as a Hungarian one into Macedonia (Kalotay, 2012 ). Such “indirect investments” have been estimated to make up around 30% of global FDI flows (Aykut, Sanghi & Kosmidou, 2017 ). In the cases shown above, the ultimate owner is relatively easy to uncover, but this is not always the case. UNCTAD ( 2016 ) notes that the 100 MNEs with the highest transnationality index have on average seven hierarchical levels in their ownership structure and more than 500 subsidiaries each, located in more than 50 countries, and almost 70 of them are in offshore financial centers (OFCs) – countries that offer some or all of the following: low or zero taxation, moderate or light financial regulation, and banking secrecy or anonymity (Aykut et al., 2017 ). Many manufacturing subsidiaries are owned by special-purpose entities (SPEs) located in OFCs, which themselves are owned by other SPEs (SPEs are foreign subsidiaries established to pursue specific and temporary objectives such as the financing of other foreign subsidiaries and that have few or no local employees) (OECD, 2000 ). 2 This can pose problems when using subsidiary counts to, for example, calculate the extent of a firm’s multinationality, as we discuss below in the section on firm-level data. For BRIC countries the number of indirect investments dwarfs that of direct ones, with between 50 and 80% of their outward FDI flows channeled through SPEs located in OFCs (Sauvant, 2017 ). In 2008, 60% of the outward FDI flows of Brazil went to SPEs based in six countries, four Caribbean OFCs – the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands Antilles – as well as the Netherlands and Luxembourg, while in 2014 70% of Russia’s inward and outward FDI flows originated from, and went to, OFCs based in Cyprus, the Netherlands, the BVI, Bermuda, Luxembourg, the Bahamas, and Switzerland (Aykut et al., 2017 ). Part of the flows going to OFCs may return to the investing country, a phenomenon called round-tripping, while the rest may be forwarded to other host countries, what Sutherland and Anderson ( 2015 ) call “onward-journey FDI” and the OECD “capital in transit”. Round tripping is a widespread phenomenon, undertaken by firms of every country, but especially prevalent in the case of China, Russia, Canada, and Indonesia, for which it accounts for more than 15% of inward FDI (Damgaard, Elkjaer & Johannessen, 2019 ). Round-tripping is undertaken to minimize tax, to hide the identity of the ultimate owners, and to reduce home-country political risk and capital controls (Borga & Caliandro, 2018 ; Karhunen, Ledyaeva, & Brouthers, 2021 ). It results in over-estimating the amount of investment, since funds sent from a country to an OFC and then round-tripped back to that country are counted twice, leading to volume biases.

Taking into account the sums that transit through OFCs can have a dramatic impact on the amount and geographic distribution of FDI flows and stocks. In 2013, for example, 70% of Chinese FDI outflows went to OFCs – Hong Kong, the BVI, and the Cayman Islands – with Hong Kong receiving 60% of these flows. Figures for 2016 are 71.4%, with 58.2% going to Hong Kong (Sutherland, Hennart & Anderson, 2019 , Table 2). Based on Xiao’s ( 2004 ) research, Casanova, Garcia-Herrera and Xia ( 2015 ) estimate that only 30% of the sums recorded as being sent to Hong Kong actually remained there, while 40% went back to China (round-tripping), and 30% were forwarded to other countries (onward-journey FDI). They assume that the final geographical destination of onward-journey flows was proportional to those directly sent from China. They also redistribute the sums sent to the BVI based on the share of direct flows received by each country (with Hong Kong excluded), while the sums sent to the Cayman Islands are redistributed to North America, Latin America, and Europe using the same formula. The results of this exercise are dramatic. The stock of Chinese investment abroad falls by 25% (from US $660 billion to $498 billion), while that in North America and Europe doubles. Recent estimates by the OECD that report both immediate and ultimate investors highlight the full extent of the problems caused by using FDI flow and stock data based on immediate rather than ultimate destinations: taking into account onward-journey Chinese investment flows increased the 2015 Chinese stock of FDI in Hungary by a factor of eight, in Italy by a factor of six, and in France by a factor of three (Sutherland et al., 2019 , Table 3).

As well as having huge impacts on the measured amount and geographic distribution of MNE activity, leading to volume and geographical biases, conventional FDI reporting results in industrial composition biases (i.e., biases towards services) because most SPEs are registered as providing business services. FDI statistics show that in 2012 only 6% of Chinese outward FDI stock was in manufacturing, while 33% was in business services (Zhou & Leung, 2015 ). These figures clearly understate the share of Chinese overseas activity in manufacturing and overstate that in services, since in China manufacturing was that year the recipient of 27% of private domestic loans while that going to business services was negligible. SPEs are the cause of a similar bias towards services in US FDI statistics. Because their MNE parents describe the activity of the large number of SPEs they own as services, US data show manufacturing accounting for only 21% of the US stock of outward FDI when reported by the industry of the subsidiary, but 59% when reported by that of the parent (Whichard, 2008 ). In short, the omission of round-tripping and onward-journey FDI flows in published FDI statistics leads to very serious inaccuracies.

The existence of volume, geographical, and industrial composition biases in FDI data owing to onward-journey capital flows has been known for at least three decades (Cantwell, 1992 ). Strangely, they have not been properly acknowledged or dealt with – most likely because of the considerable challenge of doing so. Buckley et al., ( 2007 ), for example, the most cited study of Chinese outward foreign direct investment and the 2017 winner of a Journal of International Business Studies Decade Award, study the geographical distribution of annual outflows of Chinese FDI to 49 countries, including Hong Kong (but excluding the BVI and the Cayman Islands). They do not address the fact that part of the funds going to Hong Kong and sent onwards to the other countries in their sample are not counted since these flows are not registered as coming out of China, but out of Hong Kong. The omission of these onward-journey flows from Hong Kong is likely to have seriously distorted their results (as is the omission of onward-journey flows from the Cayman Islands and BVI). To their credit, in their retrospective on the decade award prize, they acknowledge some of these data issues (Buckley et al., 2017 ). Sutherland et al. ( 2019 ) documents similar problems in other articles on Chinese FDI published in the Journal of International Business Studies over the past decade, further highlighting the scale and nature of these measurement problems. 3

A second problem with FDI flows is that they only measure funds coming from a parent to its subsidiary, not the total amount of investment made by the subsidiary in the host country. Yet, we know that a significant share of the financing of foreign subsidiaries is obtained from local sources. Lehman, Sayek and Kang ( 2004 ) found that in 1999 US majority-owned foreign subsidiaries (MOFAs) obtained 29.4% of their financing from such sources. One would expect the MNE preference for local financing to be greater the more competitive local financial markets, and it is therefore not surprising that the authors find the proportion of funds sourced locally to be higher in economically developed countries (39.6%) than in developing ones (30%). Taking advantage of the fact that the US publishes data on both the sales and value added of US subsidiaries (of MOFAs for value added) in a given host country, as well as on the stock of inward US FDI in that country, Beugelsdijk, Hennart, Slangen and Smeets ( 2010 ) look at the factors that affect the difference between the value of inward FDI and the value added and sales of all subsidiaries of a given country in a host country. They find that the underestimation by FDI stocks of subsidiary sales and value added is greater in countries with more developed financial markets, presumably because MNEs use more local financing in those countries.

A third limitation of FDI data lies in their recording only financial resources, yet the economic activity generated by a subsidiary also depends on the contribution of its employees, with labor productivity affected by the industry of the subsidiary and by country-specific factors. Everything else constant, the higher a host country’s labor productivity, the greater the extent to which inward FDI stocks will underestimate subsidiary activity. Since we would expect the use of local financing and labor’s contribution to sales and value added to be greater in more economically developed countries, the underestimation of economic activity by FDI stocks is therefore also likely to be greater in those countries than in less economically developed ones. This implies that using FDI stocks as a proxy for the amount of aggregate subsidiary activity introduces a systematic bias if that amount is correlated with the study’s dependent variable. Habib and Zurawiki ( 2002 ), for example, attempt to determine if a country’s level of corruption deters inward investment by foreign MNEs. They proxy that investment by FDI inflows. Because of the greater possibility of borrowing locally to finance the subsidiary, FDI inflows will cover a smaller part of the total investment made by a foreign subsidiary when that investment is made in a more economically developed country than when made in a developing country. Consequently, the FDI figures they use in their regressions systematically underestimate the real value of the investment made by subsidiaries located in more developed countries. Because a country’s level of corruption is likely to be inversely correlated with its level of economic development, the results of studies that use FDI inflows to look at the relationship between a country’s level of corruption and its ability to attract foreign economic activity will be biased as the measured level of inward foreign investment in developed countries will be systematically lower than the actual one. Habib and Zurawiki’s findings may then be an underestimate of the negative relationship between a country’s extent of corruption and the level of foreign economic activity it attracts.

The use of FDI flows and stocks has still further limitations. FDI inward and outward flows are the sum of net equity flows from MNE parents to their subsidiaries, the reinvested earnings of those subsidiaries, and net intracompany loans between parents and subsidiaries. Both inward and outward flows can be negative, for example when loan repayments by the subsidiaries of MNEs located in the country offset new equity coming into the country. While data on these three components of inward and outward flows are published separately by the OECD and the IMF, most researchers have used aggregate figures calculated on a net basis. 4 Yet without looking at the disaggregated figures one is unable to tell whether an outward flow of zero corresponds to the case of no investment flow or to that of outflows matching inflows. Kerner ( 2014 ) provides an interesting example. In 2010, US FDI outflows to Moldova were close to zero. That year, US MOFAs had only US $2 million in fixed capital and about 100 employees in that country. That same year, FDI flows to Poland were also approximately zero. Between 2004 and 2005, however, the 193 non-bank US MOFAs in Poland added 13,000 employees and produced $679 million in added value. The zero FDI inflows figure for Poland was due to the fact that equity outflows (minus US $30 million) and intercompany debt outflows (minus US $163 million) netted out reinvested earnings (plus US $194 million) but one would not have been able to know that when using aggregated figures – those published by UNCTAD, for example. Instead, one might have concluded that US MNEs made no new investments in Poland. The fact that both inflows and outflows are calculated on a net basis causes problems for studies that use aggregate FDI flows as a proxy for the economic activity of MNE subsidiaries in a country. Bruno et al. ( 2021 ), for example, investigate how much additional incoming direct investment a country receives if it joins a custom union such as the European Union. They measure new investment using UNCTAD data on aggregated FDI inflows, that is the sum of equity flows, reinvested earnings, and intercompany debt. When faced with negative values for these flows, the authors treat them as zero (Bruno et al., 2021 , footnote 7). This is problematic as a negative net value, caused for example by the repayment of intracompany loans by subsidiaries already in the country, may mask positive new investment into the country by new and/or incumbent firms.

The measurement of FDI stocks is also tricky. They should be estimated at market value, but often are at historical cost, or are obtained by cumulating flows. Databases of FDI stocks include estimates obtained from all three methods, making cross-country comparisons hazardous (UNCTAD, 2013 ). 5 The United States provides FDI stock data on both an historical and a market value basis, so we can get an idea of the size of the gap between these two estimation methods. On a market value basis, foreign FDI stock in the US in 2016, US $6.6 trillion, was almost double that on a historical cost basis, US $3.7 trillion (Sauvant, 2017 ).

All this said, it is easy to understand the attractiveness of FDI data. FDI datasets can be downloaded for free from public databases and purport to measure the sum of the activities of all subsidiaries of a given country into a host country; they cover many countries and are available for long periods – Mariotti and Marzano’s ( 2021 ) UNCTAD dataset covers 63 countries over 37 years. The potential alternatives pale in comparison. Recent attempts have been made to obtain better estimates of the final ultimate destinations and origins of FDI flows by stripping out onward journey flows from aggregate FDI figures (Damgaard et al., 2019 ; Borga & Callandro, 2018 ). These estimates, however, are obtained by marrying firm-level data (from Orbis) with newly published OECD data that report FDI by immediate and ultimate destination and by instrument (i.e., SPE or not), and require making fairly strong assumptions. Moreover, they only attempt to account for the problem of onward-journey flows, and do not address the other issues we have mentioned. Ideally, one would like to use data such as the value added generated by all subsidiaries of foreign MNEs in a given host country, or their sales, or even their employment. With some exceptions such as the United States, countries do not collect, or do not make public, such figures for inward subsidiary activity, or for the outward economic activity of the subsidiaries of their own MNEs. Some of the most comprehensive firm-level databases, such as Toyo Keizai ( 2022 ) which covers the foreign subsidiaries of Japanese MNEs, do not provide systematic data on subsidiary sales. Collecting such data from national firm-level databases requires a significant effort. In fact, as we see in the next section, some of the same problems present in country-level FDI data also afflict firm-level data.

Table 1 summarizes the problems identified in this section and makes some suggestions on how to alleviate some of them. Geographical and volume biases due to the classification of FDI flows based on immediate origin and destination can be partially remedied using databases that classify flows based on ultimate source (i.e., Germany rather than Hungary in our Deutsche Telekom example) and destination. Such data has been published by the OECD for 19 countries ( https://stats.oecd.org ). Damgaard et al. ( 2019 ) have made available at https://nielsjohnnessen.net/FDIdatabase their estimates for the countries not covered by the OECD database. Industrial composition biases can be minimized by classifying foreign subsidiaries by the industry of the parent rather than by that of the subsidiary. The best measures of the economic activity of foreign subsidiaries in a host country are its value added, followed by its sales, and then its employment. These measures avoid the biases caused by local financing, but are unfortunately only available for a few countries. The OECD and IMF (but not UNCTAD) break down FDI flows into their three components, net equity flows, reinvested earnings, and intracompany loans. Lastly, one can obtain very rough estimates of FDI stock at market value for countries that only provide values at historical cost by looking at the relationship between the two in countries that report both.

Measuring MNE activity at the firm level

IB scholars are increasingly using secondary data taken from firm-level datasets. These datasets are of many types. Some are produced from surveys undertaken by national statistical offices. The most complete are the censuses and surveys of foreign direct investment abroad and foreign investment in the United States produced by the US Department of Commerce. One drawback of such data is that firm-level information has to remain confidential, so statistical analyses at the firm level can only be made using the agency’s computers at its premises.

Scholars can also use country-specific commercial databases, for example CSMAR (China), Prowess (India), NEEDS (Japan), and Compustat (United States). These databases provide balance-sheet items for all firms based in one country. Their coverage of a firm’s foreign activities is uneven. Compustat, for example, publishes data on foreign sales extracted from firm 10K reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, the SEC lets firms define how they want to report their geographic segments, so firms vary on how they define them. Compustat only reports four geographic segments, including the home market, so it is difficult to make detailed comparisons of geographic reach across firms (Wieserma & Bowen, 2011 ). The national focus of these databases makes it also difficult to make international comparisons.

IB scholars can also tap global commercial databases of foreign entries, be it greenfield investments (Financial Times fDi Markets) or mergers and acquisitions (Thompson Financial Security Data Corporation; Bureau van Dijk Zephyr). However, these databases usually lack detailed firm-level data, and thus matching is often required. Orbis, a commercial database that provides a variety of financial information on parents (assets, sales, profitability) as well as on their subsidiaries and ownership chains (immediate and ultimate owners) for more than 300 million firms worldwide, has proved to be particularly attractive to IB researchers – a search of leading IB journals returns 120 recent articles using data drawn from that database. Orbis makes it possible to obtain large samples of foreign subsidiaries from different parts of the world. However, some of the problems identified in the previous section on country-level data arise also when dealing with firm-level data such as those provided by Orbis. Specifically, the presence of SPEs, and the difficulty of separating them from bona fide subsidiaries (i.e., subsidiaries engaged in value-adding economic activity), is likely to cause problems. Those problems manifest themselves in various ways, from how to identify MNEs to how to measure the extent and speed of their foreign expansion. Below we provide a few examples.

Estrin, Meyer and Pelletier ( 2018 ) use Orbis to compare the pattern of foreign countries entered by developed economy MNEs with that of their emerging market counterparts. They count the number of subsidiaries the MNEs in the two groups have established in target countries. In doing so, they do not seem to have distinguished between bona fide subsidiaries and SPEs, as indicated by their Table 2 which shows in which of 30 developed countries the emerging market MNEs in their sample located their subsidiaries. That table indicates that almost 40% of the subsidiaries of Brazilian MNEs were in the Netherlands, a surprising number given the relatively small economic size of that country. A hint of what is really going on is given by recent OECD data which breaks FDI stock down by “instrument” (i.e., whether it was in SPEs or bona fide subsidiaries), and which shows that 65% of the US $4.37 trillion FDI stock in the Netherlands was SPE-related. 8 This opens the possibility that many of the Brazilian subsidiaries in the Netherlands listed in Orbis might be SPEs. We looked in Orbis at the 173 Brazilian subsidiaries in the Netherlands in 2020 and found that 62 of them, or 35.8%, were investment holding companies (NACE code 6420) – the most common type of SPE – with very few employees or none at all. In Luxembourg, which Meyer and Pelletier’s Table 2 shows was host to 2.3% of all Brazilian subsidiaries, almost half of them were SPEs. SPEs, on the other hand, made up only 2.5% of all Brazilian subsidiaries in the UK and 6.1% of those in Germany. Given the large number of SPEs and their uneven distribution across host countries, not distinguishing them from bona fide subsidiaries is likely to affect the result of studies which, like Estrin et al., proxy the level of foreign investment by the number of subsidiaries. 9 We would expect the presence of SPEs to also contaminate the results of studies that rely on subsidiary counts to analyze the distribution of foreign investment over time and across industries.

One way to define an MNE is as a firm that owns at least one fully-controlled foreign subsidiary (Bruno et al., 2021 ; De Jong & van Houten, 2014 ). A significant number of MNEs, however, are only multinational by virtue of having SPE subsidiaries. This is quite common in the case of Chinese firms because of the use of such SPEs for round-tripping. Counting SPEs as bona fide subsidiaries will result in the inclusion of purely domestic firms in MNE samples (Sutherland et al., 2019 ).

Some authors have also measured a firm’s degree of internationalization by the number of its foreign subsidiaries, or the ratio of the number of foreign subsidiaries over all subsidiaries. Liang, Ren and Sun ( 2015 ) construct a degree of globalization index for Chinese MNEs as the average of their foreign sales to total sales, foreign assets to total assets, and number of foreign branches and subsidiaries over total number of branches and subsidiaries. One difficulty with this measure is the large number of SPEs among the foreign subsidiaries of Chinese firms. As of November 2021, there were 138,118 subsidiaries incorporated outside of China that had a Chinese ultimate owner. Of these, 10,653, or 7.7% of the total, are likely to be SPEs. 10 Hence, any major differences between firms in their use of SPEs is likely to bias the results. The same issue arises in, for example, Yang, Martins and Driffield ( 2013 ).

A common way to measure a firm’s internationalization breadth has also been to count the number of countries in which it has subsidiaries (e.g., Lu & Beamish, 2004 ; Tallman & Li, 1996 ; Zahra, 2003 ). The presence of SPEs, however, makes this an imperfect measure. This is because in some countries the only subsidiaries a firm has are SPEs. Orbis shows that China’s Fosun International, for example, had subsidiaries in 12 different countries. In four of these, however, i.e., Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and the US, the firm had no bona fide subsidiaries, its subsidiaries there being labeled as “investment holding companies” or being active in “business and other management consultancy activities”, “advertising” (in the Cayman Islands) and performing “other financial service activities” (in Hong Kong). Counting foreign subsidiaries that are most likely SPEs as bona fide ones will thus lead to an overestimation of the true breadth of an MNE’s internationalization. 11

The presence of SPEs is also likely to affect the results of studies that rely on subsidiary count to measure internationalization speed. This is the case with Kim, Wu, Schuler and Hoskisson ( 2020 ) who use data from 767 publicly listed Chinese MNEs to look at how speed of intra-regional internationalization versus inter-regional internationalization affects performance, with speed measured by the number of new subsidiaries created per year. They counted all foreign subsidiaries, “irrespective of where they were located” (Kim et al., 2020 : 1086). Yet not all subsidiaries are created equal: we have seen that many of those established by Chinese MNEs in Hong Kong, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, and the BVI are SPEs (Anderson & Sutherland, 2015 ), but this is also increasingly the case with those in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The presence of SPEs thus contaminate measures of internationalization speed based on subsidiary counts because adding an SPE can be done at the stroke of a pen, considerably faster than setting up or acquiring a manufacturing plant.

Lastly, studies using secondary firm-level databases to compare MNEs originating from different countries assign country of origin, for example whether the MNE is based in a developed or emerging market, by identifying their global ultimate owner (Estrin et al., 2018 ; Jindra, Hassan, & Cantner, 2016 ; Jones & Temouri, 2016 ). This is problematic, however, as some MNEs may establish their legal domicile in a country that is not the one where they conduct most of their business, a phenomenon called corporate inversion (Whichard, 2008 ). Inversions became a hot political issue in the US when some US firms acquired foreign firms in low-tax countries (such as Ireland) and had the acquisition acquire the parents back so as to shift their legal domicile to the lower-tax country. They are, however, even more common outside the US. Chinese MNEs, for example, owing to the practice of round-tripping, have long been comfortable with inverting to OFCs such as the Cayman Islands (De Jong, Greeven, & Ebbers, 2017 ). The number of inverted Chinese MNEs is quite large: using Orbis, we identified 1087 MNEs (i.e., defined as owning at least one foreign subsidiary) with ultimate owners (using a 50% plus ownership stake) based in the Cayman Islands that were majority owner of at least one subsidiary in China. The business of these firms (which include major firms such as Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Tencent Holdings, Kingsoft Corporation Limited, Mengniu Dairy, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China Special Steel Wire Rod Group Ltd, Dynasty Fine Wines Group Ltd, and China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd.) was primarily in China so, for all intent and purposes, they are Chinese firms (though some may have bona fide , i.e., non-SPE, foreign subsidiaries). Scholars generating samples of MNEs from a given country based on ultimate ownership criteria, an approach most often employed by empirical studies using the Orbis database, need therefore to be mindful not to exclude inverted firms, which are sometimes a significant percentage of MNEs from that country. 12 While the full extent of inversions and their impact on studies using Orbis is unknown, Sigler, Martinus, Iacopini and Derudder ( 2020 ) found that 3% of MNEs they sampled using Orbis had been inverted. Their sample, however, did not include many emerging market countries, like China, in which the share of inverted firms is likely to be far higher.

As mentioned above, nearly one-third of global FDI transits through OFCs, well-known tax havens such as the BVI and the Cayman Islands, but also countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Ireland (Haberly & Wójcik, 2015 ). Authors of studies that identify foreign subsidiaries using firm-level databases need therefore to be very careful when building their samples. Yet very few studies explicitly attempt to exclude all SPEs. We suspect that this is not solely because it is difficult and time-consuming to do so, but also because there is a general lack of awareness of how pervasive SPEs are within MNE ownership and control chains. 13 To compound the problem, recent research (Borga & Callandro, 2018 ) shows that MNEs are increasingly transiting capital not only through SPEs but also through various kinds of other less obvious foreign subsidiaries – vastly complicating the process of tracking genuine MNE investments. Excluding SPEs may therefore not be sufficient to eliminate all onward-journey subsidiaries.

Table 2 summarizes some of the problems discussed here and possible remedies. SPEs should be removed when assessing whether a firm is an MNE, when calculating the overall level of economic activity by firms of country A in country B, and when counting the number of foreign countries in which a firm operates and the speed at which it creates new subsidiaries. One solution might be to eliminate all subsidiaries domiciled in known OFCs, such as the Cayman Islands, the BVI, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The problem is that some OFCs, like the last two countries mentioned, are also home to bona fide subsidiaries. A better way is to look at the industrial classification of the subsidiary given by Orbis and at their employee count. Subsidiaries with NACE code 6420 (investment holding companies) are likely to be SPEs. However, in some subsidiaries NACE 6420 is only listed as a secondary code, while the primary code might be something else, like “transmission of other information service activities” (NACE 6399) or “other information technology and computer service activities” (NACE 6209), for example. This again complicates the challenge of identifying SPEs. Whenever Orbis provides subsidiary employment data, SPEs can be identified as those having no or very few employees. The omission of inverted firms from country samples can be avoided by looking at a country’s most common inversion destination, for example Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, and the BVI in the Chinese case, and then adding to the sample inverted firms registered there.

As we said at the outset, availability and reliability of data are a major challenge for IB researchers. A look at how IB scholars measure the foreign activities of a central actor in the field, the MNE, shows the extent of the challenge. We could have given other examples. 14 Our point is that IB scholars face additional data challenges compared to researchers in fields that study purely national phenomena, as the latter can rely on extensive domestic databases that provide the data they need. Theory poses a second challenge for those conducting IB research. Just as we have concentrated on one issue, the measurement of MNE activity using country-level and firm-level data, to illustrate data challenges, we focus on one theory, transaction cost theory, to highlight theory challenges.

It is generally agreed that concepts and theories are developed within the context of a particular culture. As Hofstede ( 1993 : 82) puts it, “management scientists, theorists, and writers are human too: they grew up in a particular society in a particular period, and their ideas cannot help but reflect the constraints of their environment”. Problems arise when theorists and their followers claim universal applicability for their theories when in fact there is not. Uncovering the hidden culturally-based assumptions behind many of our existing theories so as to correctly apply them to different contexts is a major challenge facing the IB field, one not faced by scholars who apply domestically developed theories to domestic issues.

There is overwhelming evidence that the field of management, including IB, is dominated by scholars from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, i.e., Anglo-Saxon countries. Between 1971 and 2015, three-quarters of the articles on IB topics in 14 top-rated journals (the three top-rated IB journals plus 11 top disciplinary journals) were written by scholars based in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia (Aïssaoui, Geringer & Livanis, 2020 ). 15 Harzing and Metz ( 2013 ) looked at the geographical location of the editors and editorial board members of 57 journals in five areas of management (operations management, international business, general management and strategy, human resource management/organizational behavior/industrial relations, and marketing) at 5-year intervals between 1989 and 2009. In 2009, 52 journal editors out of 57 were based in an Anglo-Saxon country (38 in the United States alone). The proportion of editorial board members based in those countries was 84.5% in 1989 and, in 2009, two decades later, still high at 77% (see also Meyer, 2006 ). While some of these scholars were born in non-Anglo-Saxon countries, many obtained their doctorates from Anglo-Saxon universities, and one can surmise that they have been influenced by their Anglo-Saxon training. 16 Note also that the percentage of Anglo-Saxons on the board of professional journals constitutes a lower bound on the influence of Anglo-Saxon ideas and beliefs in management – and on the IB field – given that many researchers outside the US and UK have been trained in Anglo-Saxon countries and that many European and Asian universities host visiting scholars from the US and the UK and encourage their faculty to co-author with them (Aïssaoui et al., 2020 ; Shenkar, 2004 ).

Boyacigiller and Adler ( 1988 ) note, citing Triandis ( 1972 ), that identifying the impact of culture on the development of theories is difficult, but they convincingly show that American cultural values have influenced the particular ways some US scholars have thought about organizational commitment, individual motivation, and leadership. 17 Hofstede found that Anglo-Saxon countries scored high on individualism – 91 for the US, 90 for Australia, 89 for the UK, and 80 for Canada, vs. 20 for China and 48 for India. 18 He describes individualism as “the degree to which people in a country prefer to act as individuals rather than as members of groups” (Hofstede, 1993 : 89). One would expect scholars living in countries that rank high in individualism to emphasize the free will of actors while downplaying the influence of the social group to which they belong.

One would therefore expect Anglo-Saxon authors to over-emphasize individual action and to under-emphasize social processes. 18 We think it is possible to discern these biases in one of the dominant theories in IB, transaction cost theory (TCT). In the following paragraphs we give a few examples of this by looking at the way TCT has been used by IB scholars, and show that these cultural biases can be remedied without damaging the theory’s core. Indeed, by explicitly identifying these biases, scholars can arrive at a richer and more comprehensive version of TCT which, as we will show, retains strong predictive power in contexts that are significantly different from the Anglo-Saxon one in which it was principally developed.

Individualistic cultures stress the ability of individuals to unilaterally control their environment. Triandis ( 1993 : 158) notes that “The most important facet of collectivism is an interdependent self… the most important facet of individualism is an independent self.” It is therefore not surprising that early applications of TCT to the foreign entry mode choice (Anderson & Gatignon, 1986 ) assumed that, when it came to entering a foreign market, the MNE was always in the catbird seat and could, unless constrained by host governments, unilaterally choose whatever entry mode it wanted. In the words of Padmanabhan and Cho ( 1996 : 47), the entry mode choice for an MNE “involves tradeoffs related to the [MNE’s] level of resource commitment, the degree of control, the specification and assumption of risks and returns, and the degree of global rationalization.” Researchers with a less individualistic outlook have realized, however, that entry into a foreign country is a cooperative endeavor because the MNE almost always requires complementary inputs to exploit its intangibles there. These complementary inputs – labor, utilities, land, logistics, and access to local customers – are typically controlled by local parties, firms, and individuals. Ignoring these local suppliers of complementary inputs limits the explanatory power of the theory. First, it erroneously suggests that the entry mode decision is unilaterally taken by the foreign investor. In reality, MNEs have the liberty to choose between a wholly-owned subsidiary and a joint venture only when complementary inputs can be obtained on efficient markets. When they cannot, the only efficient way to access such inputs is to enlist the cooperation of their owners by offering them a share of the profits of the venture. In other words, MNEs do not always joint venture because they want to, as suggested by Anderson and Gatignon, but often because they have to. Understanding that MNEs need the cooperation of owners of local factors of production makes it possible to analyze how the transactional characteristics of these factors combine with those of the intangibles contributed by the MNE to determine the optimal entry mode (Hennart, 2009 ). Taking into account local owners of complementary inputs also explains why some local firms have been able to leverage control of these inputs to offset their initial technological handicap and successfully compete with large foreign MNEs in their home market (Hennart, 2012 ).

The Williamsonian version of TCT can also be criticized for its over-emphasis on the determinants of market efficiency relative to those of firm efficiency. This focus on markets is not surprising, given that, as Triandis ( 1993 : 160) notes, “the prototypical individualistic social relationship is the market.” The core argument of TCT is generally presented as follows: the chosen governance structure (market, hierarchy, or hybrid) is the one that is aligned with the attributes of the transaction, which are asset specificity, uncertainty, and frequency (Cuypers, Hennart, Silverman, & Ertug, 2021 ; David & Han, 2004 ). When these are high, markets will fail, and this failure will lead to hierarchical governance (i.e., firms) being selected. Hence the prediction that firms will be the chosen governance structure is based on the extent of market efficiency. However, there are no reasons why market failure should guarantee firm success. A governance structure (market or firm) is chosen if the benefits that arise from the organization of interdependences are higher than the costs of doing so. In some circumstances, these costs may be higher than the benefits for both markets and firms. Consequently, market failure is not a sufficient condition for the existence of firms. Consider the following example used by Hennart ( 1982 ). In the first 80 years of the 19th century, UK firms had a technological lead over their continental European and American rivals that can only be compared to that enjoyed by US firms after the Second World War. But while the US technological lead was exploited through the establishment of foreign subsidiaries by US MNEs, that did not happen in the UK case until the very end of the period (Jones, 1996 , 2000 ). Instead, UK technological advances were transferred overseas through other means: the sale of products, the smuggling of machinery, the hiring of skilled UK workers by foreign firms, and the emigration of UK entrepreneurs. The absence of UK MNEs cannot be explained by the superiority of the market processes used to transfer knowledge at that time since the licensing market was even more imperfect then than later in the 20th century when US technology was exploited abroad by US MNEs. The simplified version of TCT under which the choice of organizational form depends on market failure, itself a function of the levels of asset specificity, uncertainty, and frequency, is therefore only half of a comprehensive theory of governance choice. A full theory simultaneously considers the factors that affect the efficiency of markets and those that affect the efficiency of firms, and assess for each transaction their absolute and relative efficiency. Williamson was aware of that when he wrote that “one of the tasks of transaction cost economics is to assess purported bureaucratic failures in comparative institutional terms” (Williamson, 1993b :119) and indeed he addresses the issue in both his 1975 (Williamson, 1975 ) and 1985 books (Williamson, 1985 ). But he does not systematically develop the variables driving these hierarchical failures as he does those responsible for market failures.

TCT allows us to do that. TCT scholars recognize that to yield benefits interdependencies must be organized: parties must be apprised of the potential benefits of organizing the interdependence, and a way must be found to avoid excessive bargaining over the distribution of the potential gains and to make sure that promises are kept. This incurs costs because of the existence of two basic human characteristics – bounded rationality and opportunism. These two characteristics imply that it is costly to efficiently inform parties of what needs to be done and to reward them for their contribution. Hennart ( 1982 , 1993 ) has argued that there are two generic ways to perform these two tasks: one can decentralize information gathering and provide output-based incentives, i.e., use the price system, or one can centralize information and control behavior, i.e., use hierarchy. While all institutions use a mix of these two generic methods of organization, firms mostly use hierarchy. In firms, bosses centralize information and direct worker behavior. Output is generated through the control of behavior, either directly through real time direct observation or indirectly through bureaucratic control techniques, such as accounting. While we lack space here to go into details, one can show that the techniques available for directing employees and monitoring their behavior were just too crude in the 19th century to support the profitable operations of UK MNEs. Consequently, knowledge was transferred through other ways. By the 20th century, management techniques had improved sufficiently to make knowledge exploitation through MNEs possible, even though the market for knowledge had improved in the meantime (Hennart, 1982 ).

Williamson has used the term “high-powered incentives” to describe those used in markets, and “low-powered incentives” to describe those used in firms (see for example Williamson, 1985 : 140). This wording can be interpreted as suggesting that firms cannot use the strong incentives used in markets, and are thus at some inherent disadvantage. That Williamson sees markets as providing unique (and superior) incentives is reinforced by his writing a few pages later that “the market is a marvel… because of its remarkable capacity to present and preserve high-powered incentives” (Williamson, 1985 : 161). Such a stance neglects the fact that while the price system provides incentives to market actors to exert effort and show initiative by rewarding them based on their output, i.e., it offers output-based incentives, firms reward employees based on their behavior. Employees who do not follow managerial guidelines will be sanctioned, and there is no reason to expect that being docked one day of pay will be less effective in influencing their behavior than losing one day’s revenues will be to self-employed individuals. Williamson’s ( 1985 : 140) argument that “firms cannot mimic the high-powered incentives of markets without experiencing added costs” seems to overlook the fact that firms do not need to use output-based high-powered incentives because they can exert high-powered constraints on behavior. Providing high-powered output incentives stimulates high output, but often also the generation of negative externalities. For instance, the literature has shown that franchisees, who are subject to output-based high-powered incentives because they get to keep all of the income they produce minus the franchise fee, are tempted to reduce quality to maximize their income (Brickley & Dark, 1987 ). Trademark owners for whom consistent quality is important may prefer to use the high-powered behavior incentives provided by employment contracts and have their own employees run the outlets. Michael ( 2000 ), for example, shows that product quality in chains that run their outlets with employees is higher than in those that do it with franchisees.

Williamson’s distinction between personal interactions and business transactions, and his under-emphasis of the role social constraints can play in enforcing the latter, seems also to reflect the relatively greater focus that US culture puts on individuals than on the social context in which they operate. In an article where he discusses the notion of trust, Williamson argues that the word trust should be reserved for non-calculative relationships that are characterized by “(1) the absence of monitoring, (2) favorable or forgiving predilections, and (3) discreteness” (Williamson, 1993a : 484). For him, such trust “is warranted only for very special personal relations that would be seriously degraded if a calculative orientation were permitted. Commercial relations do not qualify” (ibid, 486). This suggests a strict separation between business transactions and personal relations, where the former are strictly calculative while the latter are not. This separation is not universal. In many – perhaps most – parts of the world, business is done with persons with whom one has close relationships, so trust, in the Williamsonian sense, is a feature of both personal and business relationships. 20 Why is this the case? Because, consistent with the TCT idea that governance needs to be aligned with the characteristics of transactions, and that these characteristics are influenced by the institutional environment, the absence of formal market-supporting institutions such as courts increases the attractiveness of doing business with family and close friends over that of dealing with outsiders. This in turn has important theoretical and practical implications for foreign market entry, as it explains the considerable advantage held by incumbents over new entrants in countries characterized by underdeveloped formal market institutions.

TCT scholars see the choice of governance as being influenced by the institutional environment which defines the rules of the games, i.e., property rights, contract laws, norms, customs, and the like (Williamson, 1993b , 2000 ). They have been interested in working out the mechanisms by which different rules of the game yield different types of optimal governance. With few exceptions (Williamson, 1991 ), Williamson’s research has mostly focused on market transactions and their enforcement in the US context. Some of these transactions are self-enforcing because of low asset specificity, while others require safeguards which usually take the form of contracts. Contracts are formal, usually written, legal documents by which parties enter into mutual obligations enforceable by courts or arbitrators based on a set of laws. Specifying ex ante these mutual obligations reduces the chance of ex post opportunism, which is especially useful to parties who have to make investments which are specific to their partners. Williamson has focused on the limits of such contracts (leading to vertical integration) and on the ways to make them more efficient, for example by making credible commitments (Williamson, 1985 , chapters 5, 7 and 8). 21 In this environment, found in the United States and in a few other – primarily Anglo-Saxon – countries, individuals contract with a wide range of partners, some known and some unknown, with dispute settlement handled by third parties, generally courts and arbitrators, a system that has been called “rule-based” governance. In many other countries, transactions are embedded in relationships, and their enforcement is effected through bilateral or multilateral social constraints – a system of relation-based governance (Li, 2003 ; Li, Park & Li, 2004 ). In China, for example, business transactions are conducted through guanxi, which Standiford and Marshall ( 2000 : 21), quoting Yang ( 1994 ), describe as “cultivating personal relationships through the exchange of favors and gifts for the purpose of obtaining goods and services, developing networks of mutual dependence, and creating a sense of obligation and indebtedness.” Guanxi has equivalents in many other countries, for example wa in Japan, inmaek in Korea, blat in Russia, and wasta in Arab countries (Michailova & Worm, 2003 ; Velez-Calle, Robeldo-Arialla & Rodriguez-Rios, 2015 ). In the countries listed above, and in many others, contracts and courts play a very limited role, an institutional environment very different from the one on which Williamson has mostly focused.

There is a temptation to ignore such differences, and to blindly apply the Anglo-Saxon version of TCT to East Asian contexts. Another one is to see guanxi as a uniquely Chinese phenomenon, a product of its Confucian philosophy (e.g., Chen, Chen & Huang, 2013 ). A more demanding, but also more promising, way to proceed is to attempt to see how the disconnect between the prediction of the theory and the empirical evidence can be used to modify and extend existing theories, making them more general (Shenkar, 2004 ). This is possible in the case of TCT because the theory posits that the chosen governance structure will be the one whose properties align with the characteristics of the transaction, with these characteristics in turn influenced by the institutional environment (Williamson, 2000 ). Hence applying TCT to different settings, especially non-Western ones, has the potential to enrich it and make it more robust. In our case, the task is to identify which features of the institutional environment make relation-based governance more efficient than rule-based governance (Hennart, 2015 ; Li, 2003 ; Li et al., 2004 ). Hennart ( 2015 ), for example, looks at how the characteristics of the networks in which transactions are embedded affect the costs of enforcing them. He notes that relational governance can be either bilateral or multilateral. Bilateral relational governance relies on mutual enforcement, and is based on appeals to friendship and on threats of discontinuing the relationship. One advantage of this solution over market contracts and multilateral relational governance is that one does not need to prove the existence of dishonest behavior to third parties. But this enforcement mechanism does require relationships to be long term, and hence works best when one can rely for a long period of time on a small number of geographically close partners. Multilateral relational governance relies on group reputation effects. These effects are stronger in closed networks of homogeneous members for which exit is costly. These considerations can be shown to explain not only the practice of guanxi in China, but also the use of bilateral and multilateral governance in countries such as the United States. Verbeke and Kano ( 2013 ) look at the wider, but related, phenomenon of “trading favors” and show how TCT can explain its occurrence, the form it takes, and its likely impact.

What is unique about IB research? Eden and Nielsen ( 2020 ) have argued that the field is particularly complex. Aguinis and Gabriel ( 2021 ) have responded that it is not necessarily any more complex than a number of other fields. We agree that differences in complexity between IB and domestic topics may have been overstated, but we also believe that IB researchers face some unique challenges, perhaps not due to complexity, but instead to the inadequate quantity and quality of data available and to the need to rethink the applicability of many of its imported theories in contexts that differ from the ones where they were originally elaborated.

We do not have the space to provide an extensive treatment of all the data problems faced by IB scholars. Instead, we point out to the serious issue of data equivalence in the collection of primary data. We briefly discuss how this affects interviews and surveys. We then turn to secondary data. In a recent article documenting their increasing importance in IB research, Cerar et al., ( 2021 : 1365) argue that such data needs to “be treated with the same healthy skepticism and quality checks as primary data” so as to mitigate ‘‘IB’s increasing exposure to the risks inherent in secondary data”. They note that a degree of complacency has crept into the use of such data: “references to the biases and weaknesses of such data are conspicuously absent in much of the literature. …. editors and reviewers do not consider the weaknesses and lack of mitigation possibilities inherent in secondary data as critical” (Cerar et al., 2021 : 1371). Our quick review of the pitfalls encountered in measuring just one IB construct – though a key one – the size of MNE activities outside their own country, certainly confirm their assessment. FDI flows and stocks (as epitomized by UNCTAD’s annual World Investment Report ) have been used to measure that activity at the country level without their authors seemingly aware of the limitations of such data. 22 We document the pitfalls involved and make some suggestions on how to avoid some of them.

Recently a number of firm-level databases, such as Orbis, have become available. While their broad coverage and user-friendly web interface hold out the promise of significantly improving our understanding of MNEs, we show that they are subject to some of the same problems that affect the use of FDI flow and stock data, and that the literature has not always recognized them. We suggest some partial fixes. The unavoidable conclusion from our brief foray into the use of both country-level FDI flow and stock data and firm-level data extracted from large databases is that data are a major challenge in IB.

IB researchers study phenomena in multiple contexts. Yet some of the theories they borrow were conceived by scholars working in specific environments and inevitably reflect those contexts. Often, they cannot be applied “as is” to the specific contexts being researched. Most theories used in IB were developed by scholars working in the United States and, to a lesser extent, the UK, Canada, and Australia, and hence reflect the cultural, economic, and social conditions of those countries. For that reason, their explanatory power is not always high when applied “as is” to other country contexts. In contrast to researchers in domestic fields trying to explain local phenomena with local theories, i.e., typically US phenomena with US theories, IB scholars have the challenging task of identifying the possible cultural biases of the theories they have borrowed and of extending them to fit other institutional contexts. Confronting theories to environments that differ from the ones in which they were originally developed offers the chance to enrich them by uncovering their hidden assumptions and boundary conditions, and to develop higher level, broader theories. Unfortunately, not all scholars have the confidence to tackle this challenge. Instead, some ignore the issue and simply try to apply, without modification, theories developed in Boston or San Francisco to Beijing or Singaporean contexts (see the discussion in Meyer, 2006 ). Others develop “indigenous theories” (Bruton, Zahra, Van de Ven, & Hitt, 2022). For example, some scholars have explained the relation-based governance prevalent in East Asia by Confucian philosophy, even though the use of this type of governance varies within the region and is also prevalent outside it (Li, 2013 ). Such indigenous theories fit the specific circumstances of their environment but remain unconnected to more general ones, resulting in a patchwork of incompatible theories. We have tried to show that identifying possible cultural biases in the theories we use and confronting them to diverse institutional environments can open new perspectives and enrich theories. IB scholars, who study different institutional environments, have unique opportunities to do so. But for this to happen a theory must have a built-in sensitivity to contextual differences (Muzio, 2021 ). We have shown that TCT is such a theory because it posits that the optimal governance structure depends on the specificities of the institutional environment and studies how this works out. It is therefore well equipped to accommodate different contexts. The result of the exercise, as we have attempted to show, is a version of TCT that is more general while remaining context-rich.

Is it fair to generalize from the specific data problems discussed in this article and argue that they are particularly daunting in IB? Are other theories used in IB less susceptible to cultural biases than our example of the Williamsonian version of TCT, or are those biases widespread? Is our unconscious use of theories that do not fit the varied contexts we study as big a limitation in IB as we argue it is? Are there other examples where IB researchers have used the disconnect between the empirical evidence and the predictions of borrowed theories as a lever to build more generalizable ones? Can all IB theories be leveraged in that way, as we have shown TCT can, or are other Western theories more context-specific, hence justifying an emphasis on indigenous theories, as advocated by Bruton et al. ( 2022 )? We hope our counterpoint will stimulate further debate on those issues.

We are not questioning the use of FDI data to measure equity flows between MNE parents and their subsidiaries, but only their use to measure the aggregate value added generated by these subsidiaries.

Enron’s 2000 10K filing provides a good example of that complexity. Dabhol, its ill-fated Indian power plant, was owned by a Mauritius SPE, itself owned by a Dutch SPE, itself owned by a Cayman Island SPE, which was then owned by a Delaware SPE, Enron India, LLC. So an observer looking at the first immediate owner could conclude that Dabhol was a domestic operation.

For a recent example, see Mariotti and Marzano’s ( 2021 ) study of the impact of changes in competition policy on the attractiveness of a country to foreign direct investors. They acknowledge the problems of using FDI data, but like Buckley et al. ( 2007 ), attempt to remedy them by omitting OFCs from their sample. This fix excludes genuine investments going to some of their omitted OFC (Hong Kong for example) but more importantly onward-journey investments from the eliminated OFCs to the countries that remain in their sample.

Available at https://stats.oecd.org/ and https://data.imf.org .

As an example, in the UNCTAD database Finnish FDI stocks were reported in 2013 on an historical-cost basis while US FDI stocks were on a market-value basis. Valuing FDI stocks on a historical cost basis results in an underestimation of the FDI stock of countries that are old investors relative to that of more recent investors (Bellak & Cantwell, 1996 ).

Zephyr also covers initial public offerings (IPOs), private equity, and venture capital deals.

Yang, Martins and Driffield ( 2013 ), for example, are able to build a sample of 16,000 MNEs operating in 46 countries over a 10-year period.

Over 95% of the US $3.5 trillion FDI stock in Luxembourg, 21% of US$1.45 trillion FDI stock in Switzerland, and 40% of US $1.97 trillion in the UK was sent to SPEs.

A search for subsidiaries active in NACE 6420, the most common code for SPEs, returned 23,908 subsidiaries in the Netherlands, 31,387 in Luxembourg, 1526 in Switzerland, and 21,589 in the UK, for a total of 78,440 SPE subsidiaries. For the 31 developed host countries included in Estrin et al. ( 2018 ), the total number of this type of SPE comes to 131,709. Limiting the number of such SPEs to those owned by the MNEs of the 14 advanced and emerging economy countries in the Estrin et al. ( 2018 ) sample does reduce the number of this type of SPE to 49,907, but this is still 3.1% of the total number of subsidiaries. On the other hand, if we choose a broader definition of SPEs as subsidiaries engaged in financial service activities (NACE 64) and insurance, reinsurance and pension funding (NACE 65), their number rises to 96,188, or 6% of all subsidiaries in their sample. This is too large a number to be overlooked.

Our estimation is based on the number of subsidiaries whose main activity is NACE 64 (financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding), NACE 65 (insurance and pension funding), NACE 66 (activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities), NACE 69 (legal and accounting activities) and NACE 77 (rental and leasing activities). It makes sense to include the latter category since many SPEs lease intellectual property to onshore Chinese operations.

As above, we define SPEs as subsidiaries whose main activity is in NACE 6420, investment holding companies. Looking at Orbis, we identified 5387 Chinese SPEs located in 49 different countries. The 1909 SPEs that were registered in 18 countries, including Singapore (1104), Luxembourg (489), the BVI (263), the Cayman Islands (11) and a few others, had a combined employee count of zero.

We searched recent articles that used Orbis to develop samples of MNEs by country of origin with ultimate ownership as a criterion and did not find any mention of special steps taken by their authors to account for inverted firms.

SPEs are not randomly distributed among all subsidiaries, so their inclusion causes more than noise: it may lead to bias. SPEs also make up a large share of all subsidiaries so the bias is not likely to disappear with an increase in sample size.

Linsi and Mügge ( 2019 ) document the poor quality of international statistics on merchandise and service trade and on portfolio investments. While accounting measures of firm profitability are fairly straightforward in a domestic context, they are problematic in IB because the published financial performance of a foreign subsidiary is affected by the firm’s internal transfer rules.

Adjusted means that in the case of jointly authored articles, the score attributed to an author is divided by the number of authors of the article. The dominance of scholars in those four countries lessened slightly to 63.8% in the 2001–2015 period, but is still high. The non-adjusted percentages for authors in the Journal of International Business Studies is similar – 74.9% in 1995–2004 and 63.9 in 2004–2014 (Cantwell, Piepenbrink, Shukla, & Vo, 2016 ).

We thank an anonymous referee for raising this point.

The topic has been recently the subject of a point-counterpoint in the Journal of Management Studies . See Filatotchev, Ireland, & Stahl ( 2022 ) and Bruton, Zahra, Van de Ven & Hitt (2022).

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There are some exceptions. Social exchange theory is attributed to George Homans, an American sociologist. We thank an anonymous referee for this insight.

This dichotomy between personal and business transactions seems rooted in the US culture with its emphasis on separation. Boyacigiller and Adler (1991: 276) note that “Americans low context orientation also underlies their concept of separation, for example, separation of church and state”.

Williamson was aware of the existence of social constraints. In Williamson ( 1985 : 120–122) he briefly describes Toyota subcontracting practices and concludes that “the hazards of trading are less severe in Japan than in the United States because of cultural and institutional checks on opportunism”. But he did not incorporate such constraints in his model.

In unpublished work, Beugelsdijk, Hennart, Slangen and Smeets surveyed the empirical articles published in main IB journals between 1981 and 2008 that use FDI data to measure MNE subsidiary activity. Only three of the 47 articles surveyed mention some of the data limitations we identify in this article. None of them mention them all.

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We thank the editor, Alain Verbeke, and the anonymous reviewers for their stimulating comments.

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Hennart, JF., Sutherland, D. International business research: The real challenges are data and theory. J Int Bus Stud 53 , 2068–2087 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-022-00566-y

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Business Management Research Paper Topics

This page provides a comprehensive guide on business management research paper topics , designed to assist students in selecting areas that align with their interests and academic goals. The content is organized into several sections, offering an extensive list of topics divided into ten major categories, practical tips on choosing and writing on these topics, and information about iResearchNet’s customized writing services. The material aims to not only inspire and educate students but also support them in their academic journey, making the process of writing a research paper in business management more accessible and engaging. Whether you are new to the field or looking to explore new areas, this resource serves as a valuable starting point.

100 Business Management Research Paper Topics

Business management is a multifaceted field that touches various aspects of organizational functionality, leadership strategies, innovation, ethics, human resources, and much more. Here, we present a comprehensive list of business management research paper topics, categorized into ten distinct sections. These categories span the width and breadth of the field, giving students a wide range of topics to choose from.

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The Role of Transformational Leadership in Organizational Success
Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility
Cross-Cultural Management: Leading Global Teams
Women in Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities
The Impact of Autocratic Management on Employee Satisfaction
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Leadership Styles and Organizational Culture
Innovations in Management Practices
The Relationship between Leadership and Motivation
Agile Leadership: Adapting to Rapid Changes in Business

Human Resources Management

Employee Retention Strategies in Competitive Markets
The Role of HR in Diversity and Inclusion
Talent Acquisition and Talent Management Strategies
The Impact of Remote Work on Human Resources Practices
Performance Appraisal Systems and Their Effectiveness
Employee Wellness Programs and Their Impact on Productivity
HR Analytics: Using Data to Drive Decision-making
Labor Relations and Conflict Resolution
Organizational Learning and Development
Ethics in Human Resources Management

Strategic Management

Competitive Advantage through Strategic Planning
SWOT Analysis and Its Role in Business Strategy
Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategies and Challenges
Corporate Governance and Business Performance
Strategic Management in Family-owned Businesses
Sustainable Business Strategies
The Role of Innovation in Strategic Management
Risk Management in Business Strategy
Strategic Alliances and Business Growth
Strategy Implementation and Organizational Change

Marketing Management

Digital Marketing Trends and Their Impact on Business
Consumer Behavior and Market Segmentation
Social Media Marketing Strategies
Brand Management and Brand Loyalty
Pricing Strategies in Competitive Markets
Content Marketing and SEO Best Practices
Relationship Marketing and Customer Retention
Viral Marketing: Methods and Outcomes
Influencer Marketing in the Age of Social Media
Ethical Considerations in Marketing

Financial Management

Financial Planning and Budgeting in Businesses
Investment Strategies for Corporate Growth
Risk Management in Financial Decision Making
The Role of Financial Technology (FinTech) in Business
Financial Ethics and Regulations
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Financial Analysis
Cash Flow Management for Small Businesses
Corporate Finance and Capital Structure
International Financial Management
Impact of Economic Fluctuations on Financial Management

Operations Management

Supply Chain Management: Strategies and Challenges
Quality Control and Total Quality Management
Lean Manufacturing and Efficiency in Operations
Operations Strategy in E-commerce
Inventory Management Techniques
Process Improvement and Operational Excellence
The Role of Information Technology in Operations Management
Sustainability in Operations
Project Management Best Practices
Outsourcing and Global Operations

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Start-up Culture and Innovation
Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development
Innovation Management and Organizational Growth
The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Business Success
Venture Capital and Financing Start-ups
Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Opportunities
Franchising as a Business Model
Innovation in Product Development
Disruptive Technologies and Business Transformation
Creativity and Problem Solving in Entrepreneurship

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Stakeholder Engagement
Ethical Dilemmas in Business Decision Making
Sustainability and Business Ethics
Transparency and Accountability in Business
Ethical Leadership and Organizational Culture
Business Ethics in Global Operations
Corporate Philanthropy and Community Engagement
Environmental Ethics in Business Practices
Compliance, Regulations, and Business Ethics
Social Impact of Business: Measuring and Reporting

International Business Management

Globalization and its Impact on Business Management
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
International Business Strategy and Cultural Considerations
Managing Multinational Corporations
International Trade Regulations and Compliance
Emerging Markets and Business Expansion
International Marketing Strategies
Global Supply Chain Management
Foreign Direct Investment Strategies
Leadership and Management in International Business

Technology Management

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Business Management
Cybersecurity and Business Risk Management
Technology Adoption and Organizational Transformation
E-Business and Digital Transformation
Technology Management in Healthcare
Blockchain Technology in Business Operations
Innovation in Mobile Technologies for Business
Technology in Human Resources Management
Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Businesses
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Marketing

In conclusion, this comprehensive list of business management research paper topics offers students an expansive range of subjects to explore. These topics cater to various interests and can be further customized to align with specific research goals and academic requirements. Whether focusing on leadership, innovation, ethics, or technology, the options provided enable students to dive into meaningful inquiries that contribute to our understanding of the complex and dynamic field of business management.

Business Management and the Range of Research Paper Topics

Business management is an intricate and multifaceted discipline that encompasses various aspects of the modern corporate environment. It involves planning, organizing, directing, and controlling organizational resources to achieve specific goals. This vast field offers a plethora of research paper topics that span across leadership, strategy, marketing, human resources, technology, and more. In this article, we’ll explore the core areas of business management and the wide range of research topics they offer to students and scholars.

Leadership and management form the backbone of any successful organization. They involve setting visions, defining missions, developing strategies, and guiding the organization to achieve its objectives. Research in this area can focus on transformational leadership, ethical leadership, cross-cultural management, and various leadership styles. Investigating leadership theories and their practical application can shed light on how leaders influence organizational success and employee satisfaction.

Human resources management (HRM) plays a critical role in recruiting, training, motivating, and retaining employees. Research topics within HRM may include diversity and inclusion, talent management, performance appraisal systems, and employee wellness programs. The evolving nature of remote work has also opened new avenues for research in HR practices and its impact on organizational culture.

Strategic management involves the formulation and implementation of major goals and initiatives to ensure organizational growth and sustainability. Topics like competitive advantage, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and risk management fall under this umbrella. Researching sustainable business strategies or innovation in strategic management can lead to valuable insights into long-term planning and decision-making.

Marketing management focuses on planning, executing, and monitoring marketing strategies. Research topics can cover digital marketing trends, consumer behavior, brand loyalty, pricing strategies, and ethical considerations in marketing. Investigating the effects of social media on marketing or exploring new methods of viral marketing can provide fresh perspectives on reaching modern audiences.

Financial management is vital for the financial health and stability of an organization. Research in this area may involve financial planning, investment strategies, risk management, financial technology, and corporate finance. Analyzing the effects of economic fluctuations or studying the role of FinTech in business can contribute to a deeper understanding of financial decisions and their consequences.

Operations management is concerned with designing, overseeing, and controlling production processes. Topics like supply chain management, quality control, lean manufacturing, and sustainability in operations are key areas of interest. Research in process improvement, project management best practices, or the role of IT in operations management can provide insights into efficiency and productivity.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are about fostering creativity, starting new ventures, and driving organizational growth. Research in this field can cover start-up culture, social entrepreneurship, venture capital, women entrepreneurs, and innovation in product development. Understanding disruptive technologies or exploring creativity in entrepreneurship can enrich the body of knowledge in business innovation.

Business ethics and social responsibility examine how organizations engage with stakeholders and the broader community. Topics include corporate social responsibility, ethical decision-making, transparency, and compliance. Research in this area can highlight the importance of ethics in global operations or explore the social impact of business practices.

International business management studies how organizations operate on a global scale. Research topics in this area may include globalization, cross-border mergers, international business strategy, and emerging markets. Investigating international marketing strategies or leadership in international business can offer unique insights into global commerce and cross-cultural interactions.

Technology management is an evolving field that integrates technology into business strategies. Research can explore artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation, blockchain technology, and more. Investigating the role of technology in various business functions can lead to new ways of leveraging technology for growth and innovation.

Business management is a dynamic and complex field that intersects with various domains and specialties. The breadth of topics available for research reflects the multifaceted nature of the business world. Whether investigating leadership philosophies, diving into marketing strategies, exploring financial decision-making, or examining the ethical considerations of business practices, the field of business management offers a rich and varied landscape for intellectual inquiry.

For students looking to embark on a research paper, this wide array of topics provides opportunities to align academic interests with real-world applications. The continuous evolution of business practices, influenced by technological advancements, societal norms, global trends, and economic forces, ensures that business management will continue to be a fertile ground for research and exploration for years to come.

How to Choose Business Management Research Paper Topics

Choosing a topic for a research paper in business management can be a daunting task given the multifaceted nature of the field. Selecting the right topic is crucial as it lays the foundation for the entire research process. A well-chosen topic not only engages the reader but also aligns with the researcher’s interest, the study’s scope, and academic requirements. Here, we’ll explore some strategies and tips to help guide you through the process of choosing business management research paper topics that will resonate with your academic pursuits and curiosity.

Identify Your Area of Interest : Start by identifying the particular aspect of business management that intrigues you the most. Whether it’s human resources, marketing, finance, leadership, or any other area, focusing on your interest helps ensure that the research process will be engaging and rewarding.
Analyze the Relevance : Consider the relevance of the topic to current trends and issues in the business world. Researching a relevant and timely subject allows your work to contribute to contemporary discourse and can make it more appealing to readers.
Consider Academic and Practical Applications: Think about the academic significance and real-world applications of the chosen topic. It’s essential to align the topic with academic theories while also considering how it can apply to real-world business scenarios.
Evaluate the Scope: Evaluate the scope of the topic to ensure that it’s neither too broad nor too narrow. A well-defined scope helps in focusing the research, developing a coherent argument, and ensuring that the research is manageable within the given timeframe.
Check for Available Resources: Before finalizing a topic, ensure that there are enough resources and research materials available. Having access to relevant literature, data, and experts will facilitate a more thorough and credible research process.
Consult with a Mentor or Advisor: Consulting with a mentor, advisor, or faculty member can provide valuable insights and guidance in selecting the most suitable topic. They can offer expert advice based on your interests, academic requirements, and the field’s current trends.
Analyze Previous Research: Reviewing existing research in the desired field can highlight gaps in knowledge, emerging trends, and potential areas for further investigation. Analyzing previous works helps in building on existing knowledge and contributing something new to the field.
Consider Ethical Implications: It’s important to consider the ethical implications of the chosen research topic, especially if it involves human subjects, sensitive data, or controversial issues. Ensuring that the research adheres to ethical standards adds credibility to your work.
Align with Learning Objectives : Make sure that the chosen topic aligns with your course’s learning objectives and your personal academic goals. A topic that complements your academic trajectory can enhance your understanding of the field and contribute to your professional development.
Test the Topic : Before fully committing to a topic, consider writing a brief overview or outline to test if the topic resonates with your interests and if it can be explored in depth. This preliminary exercise can help in refining the topic and ensuring that it’s suitable for an extensive research paper.

Choosing the right business management research paper topic is a critical step that requires careful consideration and thoughtful planning. By following these tips, students can navigate the vast landscape of business management research and hone in on a topic that aligns with their interests, academic requirements, and the current trends in the field.

The chosen topic should not only reflect personal curiosity but also contribute to the broader understanding of business management. Engaging with mentors, analyzing existing research, considering practical applications, and evaluating the ethical and academic alignment of the topic will enable students to embark on a rewarding research journey that resonates with both academic scholars and business professionals.

How to Write a Business Management Research Paper

Writing a business management research paper involves meticulous planning, research, analysis, and composition. A well-crafted paper should reflect an in-depth understanding of business principles, theories, practices, and their application in the real world. In this section, we’ll guide you through the process of writing a compelling and insightful business management research paper, from the initial stages of planning to the final draft.

Understand the Assignment Requirements : Before you begin, carefully read and understand the assignment guidelines and requirements. Pay attention to the expected length, format, style, and deadlines. Knowing what’s expected ensures that you meet the specific criteria and avoid unnecessary revisions.
Start with a Strong Thesis Statement : Your thesis statement is the central argument or claim that you’ll be supporting throughout the paper. It should be clear, concise, and specific, guiding the reader on what to expect from your research.
Conduct Thorough Research : Invest time in conducting thorough research. Utilize academic databases, scholarly articles, textbooks, and reputable online sources. Ensure that your sources are credible, recent, and relevant to your topic.
Create a Detailed Outline : A well-structured outline helps in organizing your thoughts, arguments, and supporting evidence. Outline each section of your paper, including the introduction, methodology, analysis, conclusion, and bibliography.
Write the Introduction : The introduction sets the stage for your research, providing background information, context, and the rationale for your study. Clearly state the problem you are addressing, your research questions, and your thesis statement.
Develop the Methodology : In the methodology section, describe the research methods you used, such as surveys, interviews, or case studies. Explain why you chose these methods and how they helped you gather and analyze data.
Analyze and Discuss Your Findings : Present and analyze your findings in a logical and coherent manner. Use charts, graphs, or tables to illustrate key points. Discuss how your findings support or challenge existing theories, and provide insights into the implications for business management.
Craft a Thoughtful Conclusion : The conclusion should summarize the key findings, restate the thesis, and discuss the broader implications of your research. Highlight any limitations and suggest areas for future research.
Cite Your Sources Properly : Proper citation is essential for academic integrity. Use the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard) consistently throughout the paper. Create a comprehensive bibliography to list all the sources you’ve referenced.
Revise and Edit : Spend ample time revising and editing your paper. Check for clarity, coherence, grammatical errors, and stylistic issues. Consider seeking feedback from peers, tutors, or professional editors to ensure that your paper meets high standards.
Consider the Practical Implications : Discuss the practical implications of your findings, linking theoretical concepts with real-world business applications. Demonstrating how your research can be applied in a business context adds value to your paper.
Adhere to Ethical Standards : Ensure that your research complies with ethical standards, particularly if you’ve used human subjects or sensitive data. Obtain necessary permissions and be transparent about your research procedures.
Add an Executive Summary (if required) : An executive summary provides a concise overview of the entire paper and is particularly useful for papers intended for a business audience. It should highlight the main points, findings, and implications in a brief and accessible manner.

Writing a business management research paper requires careful planning, critical thinking, and meticulous execution. By following these tips, you can craft a paper that is coherent, insightful, and engaging.

Remember that a successful business management research paper not only adheres to academic standards but also resonates with professionals in the field. Invest time in understanding the topic, conducting robust research, articulating your arguments, and reflecting on the broader implications of your findings. With dedication, attention to detail, and a thoughtful approach, you’ll be well on your way to producing a research paper that stands out in both academic and business communities.

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Published: 09 September 2024

Navigating post-pandemic challenges through institutional research networks and talent management

Muhammad Zada ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0466-4229 1 , 2 ,
Imran Saeed 3 ,
Jawad Khan ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6673-7617 4 &
Shagufta Zada 5 , 6

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications volume 11 , Article number: 1164 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Business and management

Institutions actively seek global talent to foster innovation in the contemporary landscape of scientific research, education, and technological progress. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of international collaboration as researchers and academicians faced limitations in accessing labs and conducting research experiments. This study uses a research collaboration system to examine the relationship between organizational intellectual capital (Human and structural Capital) and team scientific and technological performance. Further, this study underscores the moderating role of top management support. Using a time-lagged study design, data were collected from 363 participants in academic and research institutions. The results show a positive relationship between organizational intellectual capital (Human and structural Capital) and team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system. Moreover, top management support positively moderates the study’s hypothesized relationships. The study’s findings contribute significantly to existing knowledge in this field, with implications for academia, researchers, and government focused on technology transmission, talent management, research creative collaboration, supporting innovation, scientific research, technological progress, and preparing for future challenges.

Towards understanding the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful collaborations: a case-based team science study

Remote collaboration fuses fewer breakthrough ideas

Interpersonal relationships drive successful team science: an exemplary case-based study

Introduction.

Global talent management and the talent hunt within research and educational institutions have become extensively discussed topics in international human resource management (HRM) (Al et al., 2022 ). Global talent management is intricately connected to the notion of finding, managing, and facilitating the fetch of research, skills, techniques, and knowledge among team members and progress in education and technology (Kwok, 2022 ; Sommer et al., 2017 ). This topic assumes a greater position when it is looked at through the lens of research, academicians, and educational institutions serving as a means of achieving scientific and technological advancement and performance (Kaliannan et al., 2023 ; Patnaik et al., 2022 ). Effective knowledge management and transfer occur between teams engaged in cross-border research collaborations (Davenport et al., 2002 ; Fasi, 2022 ). Effective team management, global talent recruitment, and the exchange of scientific knowledge across national boundaries face different challenges due to the swift growth of economic and political fanaticism. This is particularly evident in advanced economies that rely heavily on knowledge-based industries (Vaiman et al., 2018 ). Research and educational sectors are encountering significant challenges in effectively hunting and managing international talent, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which approximately half of the global workforce faced the possibility of job loss (Almeida et al., 2020 ; Radhamani et al., 2021 ). Due to the implementation of lockdown measures by governments, many research intuitions are facing significant issues, and the pandemic has changed the situation; work was stuck, and scientists around the globe are thinking to be prepared for this kind of situation, which is possible through the use scientific research collaboration platforms. These platforms serve as a means to exchange research and knowledge, which is crucial in the talent hunt and management (Haak-Saheem, 2020 ). In the situation above, wherein limitations exist regarding the exchange of research and knowledge within the institutions, it becomes imperative for the top management of institutions to incentivize employees to engage the team in knowledge sharing actively and achieve team-level scientific and technological advancement. It can be achieved by implementing a research collaboration system that facilitates knowledge exchange and contributes to effective talent hunt and management (Haider et al., 2022 ; Xu et al., 2024 ).

A research collaboration network is a tool for scientific and technological advancement and talent management encompassing various processes and practices to facilitate the sharing, integration, translation, and transformation of scientific knowledge (Biondi & Russo, 2022 ). During and after the COVID-19 era characterized by travel restrictions, research networking platforms serve as valuable tools for students and researchers located in variance regions to engage in the exchange of research knowledge and achieve team-level scientific and technological advancement (Yang et al., 2024 ). Enhancing intellectual capital (IC) within the organizations is imperative within this framework (Pellegrini et al., 2022 ; Vătămănescu et al., 2023 ). Intellectual capital (IC) is the intangible assets owned by an organization that has the potential to generate value (Stewart, 1991 ). An organization’s intellectual capital (IC) includes human and structural capital (Marinelli et al., 2022 ). According to Vătămănescu et al. ( 2023 ), the organization can effectively manage the skills and abilities of its team members across different countries by properly utilizing both human and structural capital and establishing a strong research collaboration system with the help of top management support. This capability remains intact even during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study emphasizes the importance of talent hunt and management within research and educational institutions in the post-COVID-19 pandemic because of every country’s following implementation of lockdown measures. Our study focuses on the implication of facilitating the exchange of research, knowledge, and techniques among team members during and after this period. The effective way to share research expertise and techniques in such a scenario is through a research collaboration network (O’Dwyer et al., 2023 ).

While previous research has extensively explored talent management in various industries (Al Ariss, Cascio, & Paauwe, 2014 ; Susanto, Sawitri, Ali, & Rony, 2023 ), a noticeable gap exists in the body of knowledge regarding the discussion of global talent acquisition and management within research and academic institutions, particularly within volatile environments and about scientific and technological advancements (Harsch & Festing, 2020 ). The objective of this research is to fill this research gap.1) To investigate the strategies of how research and educational institutions hunt and manage gobble talent. 2)To analyze the impact of human and structural capital and team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system. 3) To examine the moderating effect of top management support on the IC to use the research collation network among institution research teams and scientific and technological performance.

In addition, current research contributes significantly to the literature by elucidating the pivotal role of organizational intellectual capital in strengthening scientific and technological performance through research collaborative networks. This study advances our grip on how internal resources drive innovation and research outcomes by empirically demonstrating the positive association between human and structural capital and team-level scientific and technological performance. Furthermore, the current study highlights the moderating effect of top management support, suggesting that management commitment can amplify the benefits of intellectual capital (human and structural capital). These results show a subtle perspective on how organizations can influence their intellectual assets to foster higher levels of productivity and innovation. The study’s theoretical contributions lie in integrating resource-based views and organizational theory with performance metrics, while its practical implications provide actionable insights for institutions aiming to optimize their intellectual resources and management practices. This research also sets the stage for future inquiries into the dynamics of intellectual capital and management support in various collaborative contexts.

Research theories, literature review, and hypotheses development

Research theories.

The focus of the current study pertains to the challenges surrounding talent management within institutions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic(Fernandes et al., 2023 ). Global talent management is intently linked to the objective of enhancing the intellectual capital of the organization (Zada et al., 2023 ). Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised much more attention toward scientific and technological advancement, the academic sector has noticed an observable shift towards utilizing research collaboration platforms to share scientific knowledge effectively and achieve scientific and technological performance. Intellectual capital encompasses five distinct resource categories, as identified by Roos and Roos ( 1997 ), comprising three immaterial and two touchable resources. Intangible resources such as human capital, structural capital, and customer capital are complemented by tangible resources, encompassing monetary and physical assets. Global talent management encompasses human and structural capital management (Felin & Hesterly, 2007 ). The enhancement of talent management capabilities within the institution can be achieved by cultivating institution-specific competencies in both human and structural capital (Al Ariss et al., 2014 ). This concept lines up with the theoretical background of the resource-based view (RBV) theory presented by Barney ( 1991 ). According to this theory, organizations should prioritize examining their core resources to recognize valuable assets, competencies, and capabilities that can contribute to attaining a sustainable competitive advantage (Barney, 1991 ).

During and after the COVID-19 scenario, virtual platforms are utilized by institutions to engage students and staff abroad in research and knowledge exchange, which is part of global talent management. Staff possessing adequate knowledge repositories will likely participate in knowledge exchange activities. Therefore, organizations must improve their internal resources to enhance talent management, as per the fundamental principle of the RBV theory (Barney, 1991 ). Enhancing internal resources entails strengthening an organization’s human capital, which refers to its staff’s scientific research and technical skills and knowledge and structural capital. Strengthening these two resources can facilitate the institution in effectively sharing knowledge through a research collaboration platform, consequently enhancing their global talent management endeavors and contributing to the team’s scientific and technological performance.

In this research, we also utilize institutional theory (Oliver, 1997 ) and Scott ( 2008 ) as a framework to examine the utilization of research collaboration social platforms by faculty of institutions. Our focus is on exchanging research and technical knowledge within the climate of global talent management during and after the COVID-19 epidemic. According to Scott ( 2008 ), “Institutional theory is a widely recognized theoretical framework emphasizing rational myths, isomorphism, and legitimacy (p. 78)”. For electronic data interchange, the theory has been utilized in technology adoption research (Damsgaard, Lyytinen ( 2001 )) and educational institutes (J. et al., 2007 ). In the pandemic situation, institutional theory provides researchers with a framework to analyze the motivations of employees within institutions to engage in teams to achieve team-level scientific and technological performance through a research collaboration system. According to institutional theory, organizations should utilize a research collaboration network to ensure that their staff do not need to compromise their established norms, values, and expectations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous countries implemented limitations on international movement as a preventive measure. Consequently, there has been a growing identification of the potential importance of utilizing an institutional research collaboration platform for facilitating the online exchange of knowledge, skills, research techniques, and global talent management among employees of institutions operating across various countries. The active support of staff by the top management of an institution can play a key role in expediting the implementation of social networks for research collaboration within the institution (Zada et al., 2023 ).

Literature review

An institution’s scientific and technological advancement is contingent upon optimal resource utilization (Muñoz et al., 2022 ). Global talent hunt and management encompasses utilizing information and communication technologies (ICT) to provide a way for the exchange of research knowledge and techniques, thereby enabling the implementation of knowledge-based strategies (Muñoz et al., 2022 ). In a high research-level turbulent environment, it becomes imperative to effectively manage human capital (HUC) to facilitate the appropriate exchange of research knowledge and techniques (Salamzadeh, Tajpour, Hosseini, & Brahmi, 2023 ). Research shows that transferring research knowledge and techniques across national boundaries, exchanging best practices, and cultivating faculty skills are crucial factors in maintaining competitiveness (Farahian, Parhamnia, & Maleki, 2022 ; Shao & Ariss, 2020 ).

It is widely acknowledged in scholarly literature that there is a prevailing belief among individuals that talent possesses movability and that research knowledge and techniques can be readily transferred (Bakhsh et al., 2022 ; Council, 2012 ). However, it is essential to note that the matter is more complex than it may initially appear (Biondi & Russo, 2022 ). The proliferation of political and economic nationalism in developed knowledge-based economies poses a significant risk to exchanging research knowledge and techniques among faculty members in research and educational institutions worldwide (Arocena & Sutz, 2021 ). During and after COVID-19, knowledge transfer can be effectively facilitated by utilizing a research collaboration network platform (Duan & Li, 2023 ; Sulaiman et al., 2022 ). This circumstance is noticeable within the domain of international research and development, wherein academic professionals have the opportunity to utilize research collaboration platforms as a means of disseminating valuable research knowledge and techniques to their counterparts in various nations (Jain et al., 2022 ).

The scientific and technological advancement of institutions linked by intuition research and development level and research and development depend on the intuition’s quality of research, knowledge, and management (Anshari & Hamdan, 2022 ). However, there is a need to enhance the research team’s capacity to learn and transfer research knowledge and techniques effectively. Research suggests that institutional human capital (HUC) is critical in managing existing resources and hunting international talent, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic (Sigala, Ren, Li, & Dioko, 2023 ). Human capital refers to the combined implicit and crystal clear knowledge of employees within an institution and their techniques and capabilities to effectively apply this knowledge to achieve scientific and technological advancements (Al-Tit et al., 2022 ). According to Baron and Armstrong ( 2007 ) Human capital refers to the abilities, knowledge, techniques, skills, and expertise of individuals, particularly research team members, that are relevant to the current task.

Furthermore, HUC encompasses the scope of individuals who can contribute to this reservoir of research knowledge, techniques, and expertise through individual learning. As the literature shows, the concept of IC encompasses the inclusion of structural capital (STC), which requires fortification through the implementation of a proper global talent acquisition and management system (Pak et al., 2023 ; Phan et al., 2020 ). STC encompasses various mechanisms to enhance an institution’s performance and productivity (Barpanda, 2021 ). STC is extensively acknowledged as an expedited framework for HUC, as discussed by Bontis ( 1998 ) and further explored by Gogan, Duran, and Draghici ( 2015 ). During and after the COVID-19 epidemic, a practical approach to global talent management involves leveraging research collaboration network platforms to facilitate knowledge exchange among research teams (Arslan et al., 2021 ). However, the crucial involvement of top management support is imperative to effectively manage talent by utilizing research collaboration network platforms for knowledge transfer (Zada et al., 2023 ). Nevertheless, the existing body of knowledge needs to adequately explore the topic of talent management about knowledge transfer on research collaboration platforms, particularly in the context of institution-active management support (Tan & Md. Noor, 2013 ).

Conceptual model and research hypothesis

By analyzing pertinent literature and theoretical frameworks, we have identified the factors influencing staff intention in research and academic institutions to utilize research collaboration networks after the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve scientific and technical performance. This study aims to explain the determinants. Additionally, this study has considered the potential influence of top management support as a moderator on the associations between education and research institution staff intention on IC to utilize research collaboration platforms in the post-COVID-19 era and predictors. Through this discourse, we shall generate several hypotheses to serve as the basis for constructing a conceptual model (see Fig. 1 ).

Relationships between study variables: human capital, structural capital, top management support, and team scientific and technological performance. Source: authors’ development.

Human capital and team scientific and technological performance

According to Dess and Picken ( 2000 ), HUC encompasses individuals’ capabilities, knowledge, skills, research techniques, and experience, including staff and supervisors, relevant to the specific task. Human capital also refers to the ability to pay to this reservoir of knowledge, techniques, and expertize through individual learning (Dess & Picken, 2000 ). HUC refers to the combinations of characteristics staff possess, including but not limited to research proficiency, technical aptitude, business acumen, process comprehension, and other similar competencies (Kallmuenzer et al., 2021 ). The HUC is considered an institutional repository of knowledge, as Bontis and Fitz‐enz ( 2002 ) indicated, with its employees serving as representatives. The concept of HUC refers to the combined abilities, research proficiency, and competencies that individuals possess to address and resolve operational challenges within an institutional setting (Barpanda, 2021 ; Yang & Xiangming, 2024 ). The human capital possessed by institutions includes crucial attributes that allow organizations to acquire significant internal resources that are valuable, difficult to replicate, scarce, and cannot be substituted. It aligns with the theoretical framework of the RBV theory, as suggested by Barney ( 1991 ). IC is extensively recognized as a main factor in revitalizing organizational strategy and promoting creativity and innovation. It is crucial to enable organizations to acquire and effectively disseminate knowledge among their employees, contribute to talent management endeavors, and achieve scientific and technological performance (Alrowwad et al., 2020 ; He et al., 2023 ). Human capital is linked to intrinsic aptitude, cognitive capabilities, creative problem-solving, exceptional talent, and the capacity for originality (Bontis & Fitz‐enz, 2002 ). In talent management, there is a focus on enhancing scientific and technological performance and development. According to Shao and Ariss ( 2020 ), HUC is expected to strengthen employee motivation to utilize research collaboration networks for scientific knowledge-sharing endeavors. Based on these arguments, we proposed that.

Hypothesis 1 Human capital (HUC) positively impacts team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system.

Structural capital and team scientific and technological Performance

According to Mehralian, Nazari, and Ghasemzadeh ( 2018 ) structural capital (STC) encompasses an organization’s formalized knowledge assets. It consists of the structures and mechanisms employed by the institution to enhance its talent management endeavors. The concept of STC is integrated within the framework of institutions’ programs, laboratory settings, and databases (Cavicchi & Vagnoni, 2017 ). The significance of an organization’s structural capital as an internal tangible asset that bolsters its human capital has been recognized by scholars such as Secundo, Massaro, Dumay, and Bagnoli ( 2018 ), and This concept also lines up with the RBV theory (J. Barney, 1991 ). The strategic assets of an organization encompass its capabilities, organizational culture, patents, and trademarks (Gogan et al., 2015 ).

Furthermore, Birasnav, Mittal, and Dalpati ( 2019 ) Suggested that these strategic assets promote high-level organizational performance, commonly called STC. Literature shows that STC encompasses an organization’s collective expertise and essential knowledge that remains intact even when employees depart (Alrowwad et al., 2020 ; Mehralian et al., 2018 ; Sarwar & Mustafa, 2023 ). The institution’s socialization, training, and development process facilitates the transfer of scientific research knowledge, skills, and expertise to its team (Arocena & Sutz, 2021 ; Marchiori et al., 2022 ). The STC is broadly recognized as having important potential and is a highly productive resource for generating great value. STC motivates its team member to share expertise with their counterparts at subordinate organizations by utilizing an institution’s research collaboration network and achieving team-level scientific and technological performance. This method remains effective even in challenging environments where traditional means of data collection, face-to-face meetings, and travel are not feasible (Secundo et al., 2016 ). In light of the above literature and theory, we propose the following hypothesis.

Hypothesis 2: Structural capital (STC) positively impacts team scientific and technological performance using a research collaboration system.

Top management support as a moderator

If the relationship between two constructs is not constant, the existence of a third construct can potentially affect this relationship by enhancing or diminishing its strength. In certain cases, the impact of a third construct can adjust the trajectory of the relationship between two variables. The variable in question is commonly called the “moderating variable.” According to Zada et al. ( 2023 ), top management support to leaders efficiently encourages team members within institutions to share research scientific knowledge with their counterparts in different countries through international research collaboration systems. Similarly, another study shows that the active endorsement of the top management significantly affects the development of direct associations, thereby influencing the team and organization’s overall performance (Biondi & Russo, 2022 ; Phuong et al., 2024 ). Different studies have confirmed that top management support is crucial in fostering a conducive knowledge-sharing environment by offering necessary resources (Ali et al., 2021 ; Lee et al., 2016 ; Zada et al., 2023 ). During and after the COVID-19 epidemic, numerous nations implemented nonessential travel restrictions and lockdown measures. In the given context, utilizing a research collaboration system would effectively facilitate the exchange of research, skills, and knowledge among staff belonging to various subsidiaries of an institution (Rådberg & Löfsten, 2024 ; Rasheed et al., 2024 ). However, it is common for researchers to exhibit resistance to adopting a novel research technique, often citing various justifications for their reluctance. To address the initial hesitance of employees at subsidiary institutes towards utilizing research collaborative networking within the institute, top management must employ strategies that foster motivation, encouragement, and incentives. These measures help create an atmosphere where team members feel empowered to engage with the new system freely. Institutional theory asserts that top management support is crucial for aligning talent management with institutional norms. Human and structural capital, pivotal within the institutional framework, contributes to an institution’s capacity to attract and retain talent, enhancing legitimacy. Adaptation to scientific and technological advancements is imperative for international institutional competitiveness, as institutional theory dictates (Oliver, 1997 ). Grounded on the above discussion, we have hypothesized.

Hypothesis 3a : Top management support moderates the relationship between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance. Specifically, this relationship will be stronger for those with higher top management support and weaker for those with lower top management support.

Hypothesis 3b : Top management support moderates the relationship between structural capital (STC) and team scientific and technological performance through the use of research collaboration network platforms. Specifically, this relationship will be stronger for those with higher top management support and weaker for those with lower top management support.

Methods data and sample

Sample and procedures.

To test the proposed model, we collected data from respondents in China’s research and academic sector in three phases to mitigate standard method variance (Podsakoff, MacKenzie, Lee, & Podsakoff, 2003 ). In the first phase (T1-phase), respondents rated human capital, structural capital, and demographic information. After one month, respondents rated the team’s scientific and technological performance in the second phase (T2-phase). Following another one-month interval, respondents were asked to rate top management support in the third phase (T3-phase). In the first phase, after contacting 450 respondents, we received 417 usable questionnaires (92.66%). In the second phase, we received 403 usable questionnaires. In the third phase, we received 363 usable questionnaires (90.07%), constituting our final sample for interpreting the results. The sample comprises 63.4% male and 36.6% female respondents. The age distribution of the final sample was as follows: 25–30 years old (6.6%), 31–35 years old (57%), 36–40 years old (19.8%), and above 40 years old (16.5%). Regarding respondents’ experience, 45.7% had 1–5 years, 39.4% had 6–10 years, 11.3% had 11–15 years, and 3.6% had over 16 years. According to the respondents’ levels of education, 4.1% had completed bachelor’s degrees, 11.6% had earned master’s degrees, 78.8% were doctorate (PhD) scholars, and 5.5% were postdoctoral and above.

Measurement

To measure the variables, the current study adopted a questionnaire from previous literature, and age, gender, education, and experience were used as control variables. A five-point Likert scale was used (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Human capital (HUC) was measured through an eight-item scale adopted by Kim, Atwater, Patel, and Smither ( 2016 ). The sample item is “The extent to which human capital of research and development department is competitive regarding team performance”. The self-reported scale developed by Nezam, Ataffar, Isfahani, and Shahin ( 2013 ) was adopted to measure structural capital. The scale consists of seven items. The sample scale item is “My organization emphasizes IT investment.” In order to measure top management support, a six-item scale was developed by Singh, Gupta, Busso, and Kamboj ( 2021 ), was adopted, and sample item includes “Sufficient incentives were provided by top management (TM) for achieving scientific and technological performance.” Finlay, the self-reported scale developed by Gonzalez-Mulé, Courtright, DeGeest, Seong, and Hong ( 2016 ) was adopted to gauge team scientific and technological performance and scales items are four. The sample item is “This team achieves its goals.”

Assessment of measurement model

In the process of employing AMOS for analysis, the initial step encompasses an assessment of the model to determine the strength and validity of the study variables. The evaluation of variable reliability conventionally revolves around two key aspects, which are indicator scale reliability and internal reliability. More precisely, indicator reliability is deemed to be recognized when factor loadings exceed the threshold of 0.60. In parallel, internal consistency reliability is substantiated by the attainment of values exceeding 0.70 for both Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability, aligning with well-established and recognized guidelines (Ringle et al., 2020 ).

To gauge the reliability of construct indicators, we utilized two key metrics which are composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE). The CR values for all variables were notably high, exceeding 0.70 and falling within the range of 0.882 to 0.955. This signifies a robust level of reliability for the indicators within each construct. Furthermore, the AVE values, which indicate convergent validity, exceeded the minimum threshold of 0.50, with each construct value varying from 0.608 to 0.653, thus affirming the presence of adequate convergent validity.

In addition to assessing convergent validity, we also examined discriminant validity by scrutinizing the cross-loadings of indicators on the corresponding variables and the squared correlations between constructs and AVE values. Our findings indicated that all measures exhibited notably stronger loadings on their intended constructs, thereby underscoring the measurement model’s discriminant validity.

Discriminant validity was recognized by observing average variance extracted (AVE) values that exceeded the squared correlations between constructs, as indicated in Table 1 . In conjunction with the Composite Reliability (CR) and AVE values, an additional discriminant validity assessment was conducted through a Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT) analysis. This analysis entailed a comparison of inter-construct correlations against a predefined upper threshold of 0.85. The results demonstrated that all HTMT values remained significantly below this threshold, affirming satisfactory discriminant validity for each variable (Henseler et al., 2015 ). Every HTMT value recorded was situated beneath the specified threshold, thereby supplying supplementary confirmation regarding the constructs’ discriminant validity. In summary, the results of the outer model assessment indicate that the variables showcased commendable levels of reliability and validity, with the discriminant validity being suitably and convincingly established.

Moreover, correlation Table 2 shows that human capital is significantly and positively correlated with structural capital ( r = 0.594**), TMS ( r = 0.456 **), and STP ( r = 0.517**). Structural capital is also significantly and positively correlated with TMS ( r = 0.893**) and STP ( r = 0.853**). Furthermore, TMS is significantly and positively correlated with STP (0.859**).

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)

A comprehensive confirmatory factor analysis was estimated by employing the software AMOS version 24 to validate the distinctiveness of the variables. CFA shows the fitness of the hypothesized four factors model, including human capital, structural capital, top management support, and team scientific and technological performance, as delineated in Table 3 ; the results show that the hypothesized four-factor model shows fit and excellent alternative models. Consequently, The study variables demonstrate validity and reliability, which makes the dimension model appropriate for conducting a structural path analysis, as advocated by Hair, Page, and Brunsveld ( 2019 ).

Hypotheses testing

This study used the bootstrapping approach, which involves 5,000 bootstrap samples to test the proposed study model and assess the significance and strength of the structural correlations. Using this approach, bias-corrected confidence intervals and p-values were generated in accordance with Streukens and Leroi-Werelds ( 2016 ) guidelines. First, we did an analysis that entailed checking the path coefficients and their connected significance. The findings, as shown in Table 4 , validate Hypothesis 1, revealing a positive correlation between HUC and STP ( β = 0.476, p < 0.001). Additionally, the finding validates Hypothesis 2, highlighting a positive association between structural capital and STP ( β = 0.877, p < 0.001). For the moderation analysis, we utilized confidence intervals that do not encompass zero, per the guidelines that Preacher and Hayes ( 2008 ) recommended.

In our analysis, we found support for Hypothesis 3a, which posited that top management support (TMS) moderates the relationship between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance (STP). The results in Table 4 showed that the moderating role, more precisely, the interaction between HUC and TMS, was substantial and positive ( β = −0.131, p = 0.001). These results suggest that TMS enhances the positive association between HUC and STP, as shown in Fig. 2 . Consequently, we draw the conclusion that our data substantiates hypothesis 3a. Furthermore, Hypothesis 3b posited that TMS moderates the relationship between STC and STP. The results indicate that TMS moderates the association between STC and STP ( β = −0.141, p = 0.001, as presented in Table 4 and Fig. 3 ).

The moderating effect of top management support (TMS) on the relationship between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance (STP). Source: authors’ development.

The moderating effect of top management support (TMS) on the relationship between structural capital (SUC) and team scientific and technological performance (STP). Source: authors’ development.

The current study highlights the importance of research and academic institutions effectively enhancing their scientific and technological capabilities to manage their global talent within an international research collaboration framework and meet future challenges. Additionally, it underscores the need for these institutions to facilitate scientific knowledge exchange among their employees and counterparts in different countries. The enhancement of talent management through the exchange of scientific research knowledge can be most effectively accomplished by utilizing a collaborative research system between educational and research institutions (Shofiyyah et al., 2023 ), particularly in the context of the COVID-19 landscape. This study has confirmed that enhancing the higher education and research institutions’ human capital (HUC) and structural capital (STC) could attract and maintain global talent management and lead to more effective scientific and technological progress. The findings indicate that the utilization of human capital (HUC) has a significant and positive effect on scientific and technological term performance (STP) (Hypothesis 1), which is consistent with previous research (Habert & Huc, 2010 ). This study has additionally demonstrated that the implementation of s tructural capital (STC) has a significant and positive effect on team scientific and technological performance (STP), as indicated by hypothesis 2, which is also supported by the previous studies finding in different ways (Sobaih et al., 2022 ). This study has also shown that top management support moderates the association between human capital (HUC) and team scientific and technological performance hypothesis 3a and the association between structural capital (STC) and team scientific and technological performance hypothesis 3b. These hypotheses have garnered support from previous studies’ findings in different domains (Chatterjee et al., 2022 ). The study’s empirical findings also confirm the substantial moderating influence exerted by top management support on the relationships between HUC and STP described in hypothesis 3a and STC and STP described in hypothesis 3b, as evidenced by the results presented in Table 4 . Additionally, graphical representations are conducted to investigate the impacts on hypotheses 3a and 3b resulting from the application of high-top management support (TMS) and weak TMS.

The effect of high-top management support (TMS) and weak TMS on Hypothesis 3a is depicted in Fig. 2 . The solid line illustrates the effects of robust TMS on Hypothesis 3a, while the dashed line shows the effects of weak TMS on Hypothesis 3a. The graphic description validates that, as human capital (HUC) increases, team scientific and technological performance (STP) is more pronounced when influenced by robust TMS than weak TMS. This is evidenced by the steeper slope of the solid line in comparison to the dashed line. This finding suggests that employees within the research and academic sectors are more likely to utilize research collaboration networks when influenced by HUC and receive strong support from the organization’s top management.

The graph in Fig. 3 shows the impact of solid top management support (TMS) and weak TMS on Hypothesis 3b. The dotted lines continuous on the graph correspond to the effects of robust TMS and weak TMS, respectively. Figure 3 illustrates that, with increasing top management support (TMS), scientific and technological performance (STP) increase is more significant for robust TMS than weak TMS. This is evident from the steeper slope of the continuous line compared to the slope of the dotted line. This finding suggests that employees within universities and institutes are more likely to engage in research collaboration systems when they receive strong support from top management despite enhanced structural support.

Theoretical contribution

The current study makes significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the intricate dynamics between organizational intellectual capital and team performance within scientific and technological research, especially during the unprecedented times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its detailed examination of human and structural capital, alongside the moderating impact of top management support, the study provides a multi-faceted understanding of how these factors interact to enhance team outcomes.

This research enriches the literature on intellectual capital by providing empirical evidence on the positive association between HUC and STC and team performance. HUC, which includes employees’ skills, knowledge, and expertise, is a critical driver of innovation and productivity (Lenihan et al., 2019 ). The study highlights how a team’s collective intelligence and capabilities can lead to superior scientific and technological outputs. This finding aligns with and extends previous research that underscores the importance of skilled HR in achieving organizational success (Luo et al., 2023 ; Salamzadeh et al., 2023 ). Structural capital, encompassing organizational processes, databases, and intellectual property, contributes significantly to team performance(Ling, 2013 ). The study illustrates how well-established structures and systems facilitate knowledge sharing, streamline research processes, and ultimately boost the efficiency and effectiveness of research teams. This aspect of the findings adds depth to the existing literature by demonstrating the tangible benefits of investing in robust organizational infrastructure to support research activities.

Another essential contribution of this study is integrating a research collaboration network as a facilitating factor. This network, including digital platforms and tools that enable seamless communication and collaboration among researchers, has become increasingly vital in remote work and global collaboration (Mitchell, 2023 ). By examining how these systems leverage HUC and STC to enhance team performance, the study provides a practical understanding of the mechanisms through which technology can facilitate team scientific and technological performance.

One of the most novel contributions of this study is its emphasis on the moderating role of top management support. The findings suggest that when top management actively supports research initiatives, provides required resources, and fosters innovation, the positive effects of human and structural capital on team performance are amplified (Zada et al., 2023 ). This aspect of the study addresses a gap in the literature by highlighting the critical influence of top management on the success of intellectual capital investments. It underscores the importance of managerial involvement and strategic vision in driving research excellence and team scientific and technological performance.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the current study are weightage for organizations aiming to enhance their research and innovation capabilities and boost their scientific and technical progress. Organizations should prioritize recruiting, training, and retaining highly skilled and trained researchers and professionals globally. This can be achieved through targeted hiring practices, offering competitive compensation and retention, providing continuous professional development opportunities, and developing proper research collaboration networks. Organizations can leverage their expertize to drive innovative research and technological advancements by nurturing a global, talented workforce. Investing in robust organizational structures, processes, and systems is critical (Joseph & Gaba, 2020 ). This includes developing comprehensive databases, implementing efficient research processes, securing intellectual property, and strengthening collaborations. These factors support efficient knowledge sharing and streamline research activities, leading to higher productivity and quality research outcomes (Azeem et al., 2021 ). Organizations should ensure that their infrastructure is adaptable and can support remote and collaborative work environments.

The current study emphasizes the importance of digital platforms and tools facilitating research collaboration. Organizations should adopt advanced research collaboration networks that enable seamless communication, data sharing, and talent management. These systems are particularly crucial in a globalized research environment where team members may be geographically dispersed. Investing in such technology can significantly enhance research projects’ productivity in a sustainable way (Susanto et al., 2023 ). Top Management plays a vital role in the success of research initiatives and contributes to scientific and technological performance. Top management should actively support research teams by providing required resources, setting clear strategic directions, and fostering a culture of innovation. This includes allocating budgets for organizational research and development, encouraging cross-border collaboration, recognizing and rewarding research achievements, and enhancing overall performance. Effective Management ensures that the intellectual capital within the organization is fully utilized and aligned with organizational developmental goals (Paoloni et al., 2020 ). Organizations should create a working atmosphere that encourages research, creativity, and innovation. This can be done by establishing innovation labs, promoting interdisciplinary research, recruiting international talents, sharing research scholars, and encouraging the sharing of ideas across different departments globally. A research-oriented culture that supports innovation can inspire researchers to pursue groundbreaking work and contribute to the organization’s competitive edge.

Limitations and future research direction

The research presents numerous theoretical and practical implications; however, it has. The potential limitation of common method bias could impact the findings of this study. This concern arises because the data for the study variables were obtained from a single source and relied on self-report measures (Podsakoff, 2003 ). Therefore, it is recommended that future studies be conducted longitudinally to gain additional insights into organizations’ potential to enhance efficiency. Furthermore, it is essential to note that the sample size for this study was limited to 363 respondents who were deemed usable. These respondents were drawn from only ten research and academic institutions explicitly targeting the education and research sector.

Consequently, this restricted sample size may hinder the generalizability of the findings. Future researchers may employ a larger sample size and implement a more systematic approach to the organization to enhance the comprehensiveness and generalizability of findings in the context of global talent management and scientific and technological advancement. Furthermore, in future investigations, researchers may explore alternative boundary conditions to ascertain whether additional factors could enhance the model’s efficacy.

Numerous academic studies have emphasized the significance of examining talent management outcomes in global human resource management (HRM). The continuous international movement of highly qualified individuals is viewed as a driving force behind the development of new technologies, the dissemination of scientific findings, and the collaboration between institutions worldwide. Every organization strives to build a qualified and well-trained team, and the personnel department of the organization focuses on finding ways to transfer knowledge from experienced workers to new hires. This study uses a research collaboration system to examine the relationship between organizational intellectual capital (Human and structural Capital) and team scientific and technological performance. Further, this study underscores the moderating role of top management support. These findings offer a nuanced perspective on how organizations can leverage their intellectual assets to foster higher productivity and innovation, especially in emergencies.

Data availability

Due to respondents’ privacy concerns, data will not be publicly available. However, it can be made available by contacting the corresponding author at a reasonable request.

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Muhammad Zada

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Imran Saeed

College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Ilma University, Karachi, Pakistan

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Business School Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China

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Conceptualization: Muhammad Zada and Imran Saeed. Methodology: Jawad Khan. Software: Shagufta Zada. Data collection: Muhammad Zada, Shagufta Zada and Jawad Khan. Formal analysis: Imran Saeed and Jawad Khan. Resources: Muhammad Zada. Writing original draft preparation: Muhammad Zada and Imran Saeed. Writing review and editing: Jawad Khan, Shagufta Zada. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the paper.

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The author sought and received ethical approval from the Research Ethical Committee School of Economics and Management at Hanjiang Normal University, China, with approval number 2023REC001, and the study complied with ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study. All the participants were accessed with the support of the HR Department employed in China’s research and academia sector. Response Participants were provided with comprehensive information regarding the study’s purpose and procedures. Confidentiality and privacy were strictly implemented throughout the research process. Using the time lag data collection approach, we collected from 393 employees employed in China’s research and academic sector.

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Zada, M., Saeed, I., Khan, J. et al. Navigating post-pandemic challenges through institutional research networks and talent management. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11 , 1164 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03697-9

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International Literacy Day: How picture books can open up discussion about social media with children

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A hand holding a phone showing social media apps

Should we ban young children from social media? Do children know the pitfalls of TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat? To coincide with the celebration of International Literacy Day, we talked to Dr Cristina Costa, from our School of Education, who has been working on a digital literacy project with children at a County Durham primary school. She explains how her project co-producing picture books about social media topics with children can help to better understand how young people view social media.

What is your research about?

My research is focused on how people use digital platforms, like social media. I am particularly interested in exploring how digital technology fits in with education and society and how young people’s experiences take shape. My most recent projects explore how teenagers and primary school aged children develop their digital literacies.

You recently worked on a project to learn about how young children view social media. What did you learn?

In general terms, young children are very keen on using social media and, as you would expect, are technically quite good at it.

They are generally quite aware of some of the pitfalls of social media and are often told the “do’s” and “don’ts” to make them aware of the dangers. However, this kind of risk management approach doesn’t necessarily create space for them to talk about their own experiences (good or bad), question certain practices or discuss what they think of as ethical behaviour when online.

This is what we have tried to do by creating space for students to talk about their own experiences and practices and what they see other people do. Our goal has always been one of not telling them what to do or not do, but rather have them arrive at their own conclusions.

The project involved the co-production of books with the children. What message did that help get across?

The picture books we are co-creating with primary school children are about social media, privacy and digital footprint. They have been designed to capture the discussions we had with the children on these issues via the development of ‘cultural circles’. The books have also allowed the young people to represent their thinking about such issues in their own words, via the text used and the illustrations they created, which are now being adapted by a professional illustrator. We hope that the books will provide a good basis for discussion and will become a good resource for other children, parents and teachers who may wish to discuss such topics. We are very excited about the books which will be launched in November.

What would you say to policymakers or worried parents who want to ban the use of social media for young children?

I understand what they are getting at as at the end of the day we all want to protect people from the potential hazards of the internet/social media. That said, banning the use of social media for young people teaches them very little, if anything at all. I think it is more important to engage young people in the discussion of digital practices as well as screen time - on a regular basis as well as modelling behaviour. Young people are very capable of reasoning about such issues and when prompted can provide very insightful views and be highly critical and reflexive of their own and others’ digital practices. I think we all benefit from such discussions.

Find out more

Find out more about the work of Dr Cristina Costa .
Learn more about International Day of Literacy .
Our School of Education is ranked 65th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. Visit our Education webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

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