Mehmet Demirbag and Geoffrey T. Wood
Context
There has been a growing body of literature dealing with
business and management issues in the transitional economies of Central and
Eastern Europe. In contrast, a few notable exceptions notwithstanding, the
literature on the “transitional periphery” – the post-Soviet economies of the
Caucasus and Central Asia is sparse – with existing accounts largely dealing
with macro-economic and political developments. Yet, many of these economies are
of considerable importance and relevance owing to rich natural resource
endowments, combined with strategic locations.
However, economies in the region generally battle under
weak and corrupt political institutions, with a large number of endemic border
and internal ethnic disputes, as well as rising social inequality Many emerging
businesses battle under chronic failings by governance, even if others benefit
from political patronage: another burden is that traditional supply chain routes
have broken down following on independence. All countries have faced rising
social inequality, lop-sided and underdeveloped consumer markets, and
potentially destabilizing levels of youth unemployment. It would be a mistake,
however, to assume that organizational outcomes across the region are
homogenous: there is evidence, for example, of much difference in managerial
practices reflecting variations in cultural
setting.
A number of these countries are significant producers of
oil and gas, which brings with it dangers of the resource curse: this would
include an over-reliance on a single revenue source to the neglect of other
areas of the economy, over-valued currencies, regional imbalances, and rising
corruption. Indeed, there is much evidence that this process is already well
underway, even while oil resources are fast depleting. In addition, all
countries have faced rising social inequality, lop-sided and underdeveloped
consumer markets, and potentially destabilizing levels of youth unemployment. A
further phenomenon has been the rise of quasi-states in the Caucasus (for
example, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia), disrupting trade and markets and
making for open-ended tensions.
Despite this, natural resource endowments and, in some
instances, historic links and/or prosperous diasporas have meant that countries
on the transitional periphery have also become important destinations for
foreign direct investment (FDI) and multinational firms’ (MNCs) operations. FDI
flows to transitional periphery not only from western developed economies, but
also from other emerging countries and regions (South-South FDI). Given the
transitional nature of institutions and complexities associated with governance
of organizations, management of relations with governments, political elites,
and trade unions appear to be increasingly challenging. Countries on the
periphery of transition have administrative heritages which are significantly
different than that of other emerging regions.
To date, transitional countries on the periphery are still
a terra
incognita and our
stock of knowledge in business and management practices remain mired in
anecdotal evidence. Given the importance of these resource rich countries and
potential for investment, the neglect of publications focused on periphery of
transition is astonishing. Over the last two decades these countries have been
undergoing profound and uneven institutional transformations which have
ramifications for both emerging and developed country MNCs. Institutional
settings in periphery of transition often necessitates MNCs to design different
strategies to deal with the complex competitive dynamics in these countries.
This special issue will provide insights into the challenges faced by MNCs in
the region and develop concepts, models and tools for both policy makers and
managers in these countries. The proposed special Issue offers a rare and unique
opportunity for scholars engaged in research on these firms to share their
findings in such a scholarly outlet.
Key
Issues
Papers should preferably involve cross-national comparative
analysis; if based on a single country, this should be analyzed within a broader
comparative perspective. Comparisons with countries outside the region,
particularly with other variants of transitional or emerging market capitalism,
are welcome. Papers could deal with the following issues, although innovative
work in related relevant areas would be welcome:
·
MNCs and the local political economy: trends in FDI and
relations with local elites.
·
MNCs and political risk management in the
region
·
In what ways are MNCs are affecting institutional changes
in the region?
·
Coping and beyond: How have firms in the region dealt with
adversity?
·
How do MNCs engage powerful external stakeholders, such as
religious and ideological
groups, political institutions, powerful political actors
and civil society organizations?
·
MNCs and the Quasi-States (South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh,
Abkhazia).
·
MNCs: How are firm practices amended in specific cultural
and institutional settings?
·
Sunset industries in the region: Beyond
redemption?
·
Market entry strategies of developed country MNCs compared
to emerging country
MNCs in the region.
·
Do MNCs use conventional models and methods to enter and
operate in these countries,
or do they opt out for new approaches?
·
How do MNCs select and manage their partners in the
region?
·
Mergers and acquisitions: challenges on the periphery of
transition
·
Supply chains and markets: dealing with new barriers and
opportunities.
·
MNCs and environmental issues in the
region
·
Doing business in the region: Ethical
issues.
The special issue is open and competitive and submitted
papers will undergo the normal rigorous, double-blind review process to ensure
relevance and quality. The key criteria for acceptance of manuscripts are (1)
relevance to the theme of the special issue, (2) scholarly rigor of analysis,
and (3) practical orientation. Submitted papers must be based on original work
not under consideration by any other journal or outlet. Reviewers
for papers submitted to the Special Issue will be drawn from the Special Issue
Editorial Review Board and IBR editorial review board. No submission will be
reviewed prior to the closing date.
A guide for authors and other relevant information for
submitting papers are available on IBR’s web page (http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-business-review/)
All submissions should be submitted electronically to http://ees.elsevier.com/ibr/ choosing ‘Transitional
Periphery SI’ as the article type.
Submission deadline: 31 December 2013
Guest
Editors
Prospective authors are urged to contact the guest editors
with their initial proposals or ideas well in advance of the deadline for final
paper submission.
Contact details
Mehmet Demirbag, University of Sheffield
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Geoffrey Wood, University of Warwick ([log in to unmask] )