The editor-in-chief of a premier international business journal came to FIU Business to engage in a full day of conversation, delivering insightful guidance for scholars seeking publication and a look at what’s next in impactful, relevant business research.

The visit from Alain Verbeke, editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS) was an opportunity for FIU Business to build on its preeminence in international business research and teaching. The college currently ranks No. 5 for the number of publications in JIBS, and several members of the International Business faculty have held editing positions. In addition, the FIU Business undergraduate international business program is ranked No. 6 by U.S. News.

More than 50 faculty members and doctoral students attended Verbeke’s talk, held February 14, 2019. While most of his talk focused on emerging issues in international business, Verbeke was eager to share JIBS’ plans to engage with scholars in more disciplines, including accounting, marketing, and finance.

“We must make an effort so that these scholars know that JIBS can be their home as they infuse IB elements into their work,” he said. JIBS is a considered A-level journal, at the highest level of publishing achievement, at all but a handful of 3,000 business schools worldwide.

A focus on defining global companies.

Verbeke, who also serves as professor of International Business and Strategy and holds the McCaig Research Chair in Management at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, focused his talk on the foundations of strong research, and how they shift as global business and technology ventures serve to redefine the business landscape. He shared trends to look for in defining global companies, noting that many companies classified as “global” don’t meet standard research definitions, and explored how to meet new challenges in defining corporate globalization. He also stressed the need for thoroughly-researched business findings that are also fact-tested through interviews with practitioners.

Verbeke noted that JIBS is also taking a broader look at publishing articles related to internationalization in other business disciplines, including marketing, finance and organizational behavior. He also took a moment to advocate for a greater role of academic research in the general business discourse.

“In this era of social media activity, when anything you say can be destroyed on social media, we use the safe route: we’ll publish an article in a journal and we think we’ve done our job.” However, he said, “We can do more. We can influence public debate.”

In addition to the talk, the day afforded FIU Business PhD students an opportunity to meet with a leading editor for his guidance and insight.

“It was a unique opportunity for FIU Business doctoral students to have this level of discussion,” said Sumit K. Kundu, associate dean for international programs at FIU Business. He also underscored Verbeke’s presentation of JIBS as an interdisciplinary journal that welcomes contributions from all fields as they relate to international business.

“It is important to hear from Professor Verbeke that scholars in accounting, finance, information systems, management and marketing are welcomed to send their best research papers to JIBS,” he added.