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Apologies for cross posting *EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 27 APRIL 2018* Dear Colleagues, Due to many requests, we have extended the deadline for paper submissions for the Würzburg International Business Forum – International Business Conference. The new final date for paper and extended abstract submissions is *April 27, 2018*. (All other important dates can be found on the conference website: *wibf.fhws.de* <http://wibf.fhws.de/>*)* In addition, this time in our call for paper, we also would like to inform you of the keynote topics. Furthermore, we are delighted to inform you that on the second day (25 May) we will have a panel meeting on the conference theme. You can find detailed information of this meeting and the speakers below. Best regards. Organisation Committee @WIBF *CALL FOR PAPERS* *WÜRZBURG INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM* *INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE* *Managing International Political Risk:* *Arising Challenges for Multinationals in a Changing World 24 - 25 May 2018* *Würzburg, Germany* *wibf.fhws.de* <http://wibf.fhws.de/> The Würzburg International Business Forum’s International Business Conference will be held in Würzburg, Germany. We encourage paper writers, panel presenters, book authors, professionals, representative of companies and graduate students researching political risk within the context of multinational companies, foreign direct investment, foreign entry modes etc. to submit their work (as an attachment by emailing to *[log in to unmask]* <[log in to unmask]>* ).* The International Business Conference is designed to bring together current research from the fields of international business, multinational corporations, foreign direct investment, and small and medium sized multinationals with a particular focus on international political risk management. The objective is to analyse patterns and forces, which influence political risk management in today’s fast changing world affairs with regard to multinational corporations’ foreign operations. The conference offers an excellent opportunity to meet thought leaders and professionals from around the world to exchange information and ideas on a variety of international business topics. Full papers, extended abstracts and case study presentations are invited. All accepted extended abstracts (minimum 3 pages) and full papers will be published in the conference proceedings volume and delivered during the conference. In many countries, the political agenda is rapidly changing, and the ever-diminishing stability is replaced by huge uncertainty and high dynamics. Uncertainties caused by unexpected political developments in various countries involve significant politics-induced financial risks for MNCs, and surprisingly, this situation is not limited only to developing and emerging countries. In fact, in some cases the focus for political risk seems even to be shifting from developing countries to developed industrialized ones. For instance, it seems that there is a rise in populist and nationalist views among a number of politicians in the western world. When such people are elected they may bring trade and investment restrictions, higher government spending and lower taxes, resulting in wider fiscal deficits and restrictions on immigration. As is known, some of such views have even been able to gain additional power recently. Therefore, there are serious concerns among business people, politicians, academics and thought leaders that the world is getting more insecure due to global terrorism, nationalist and authoritarian tendencies etc. *Publication Opportunities:* All accepted extended abstracts (minimum 3 pages) and full papers will be published in the conference proceedings volume. In addition, some selected papers may be further reviewed and expanded if necessary and subsequently published in a special volume of an edited book by an internationally recognized publisher. Furthermore, some of the best papers may be invited to submit to one of the affiliated journals (European Journal of International Management [please see: http://www.inderscience.com/jhome.php?jcode=ejim] or International Journal of Emerging Markets [please see: http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/ products/journals/journals.htm?id=ijoem]) *Keynoters:* This year’s keynoters will be among the foremost experts in the area of concern. We will utilize both an academic (Professor Ilan Alon, University of Agder, Norway) and an academic & practitioner (Professor Sencer Imer, Hacettepe University & Ufuk University, Turkey) to keynote. (please see: https://wibf.fhws.de/people/keynote-speakers/) <http://www.chinagoesglobal.org/past-conferences/previous-key-noters/> *Keynote Topics:* *Dr. Ilan Alon: *“Political Risk: The Shifting Research Agenda” (*Abstract:* The concept of political risk has expanded since the 1970s and 1980s from negative government action, such as expropriation and nationalization, to a broader phenomenon such as economic crises, political upheaval, terrorism, and social movements. Political risk relates to unexpected fluctuations in the political environment, emanating from government, economy and society, both internal and external, which affect the business environment. Political risk has both macro and micro dimensions. Dr. Alon will trace the evolution of the political risk construct and theories and discuss the future of this construct and research agenda.) *Dr. Sencer Imer:* “Political Risks, the Middle East and MNCs” (*Abstract: *The Middle East’s political and economic stability is of great concern for multinational corporations operating or willing to operate in the region while this part of the world is still offering huge business potential and opportunities. However, multinational corporations must first understand and conduct a careful risk analysis about what is going on in the region at the moment with other countries involvements such as US, Russia, Iran and Turkey, before expanding into these markets. Dr. Imer will provide a perspective on all such issues.) *Panel Meeting, Panel Members and Topics:* *Dr. Rainer Wehner *- Moderator *Dr. Ilan Alon:* “What has changed in a Post Trump world” (*Abstract:* The election of Trump in the USA has marked a new era in international relations and international business. Nationalism has triumphed over internationalism as a dominant paradigm in national security, as well as economic and foreign policy. The talk will discuss and open a debate on the causes and effects of this shift.) *Dr. Harald J. Bolsinger:* “Ethical Challenges for Multinationals – Globalized Values for International Markets” (*Abstract:* Political conflicts of values within and between regions of the world can have impact on market access and sales potential of companies. With which ethos can multinational companies position themselves in order to maintain their identity credibly and to remain internationally connected in a world full of conflicting and dynamically shifting worldviews? The talk will open a debate on the topic, that too often is only observed as marketing topic.) *Dr. Marin Marinov:* “Strategic Challenges to Firms Caused by Political Risk” (*Abstract:* Volatility and change are the key descriptors of today’s world, generating augmenting insecurity amplifying risk mainly in its politically related component. It is particularly challenging to firm strategy when either least expected political events occur or the impact of fast developing changes are real threats to existing firm strategies. What is to be done when the applied business models and forecasts are no longer applicable? The talk will deal with challenges caused by unanticipated political developments as well as rapidly advancing businesses impacting aspects causing disturbances in current business strategies and policies.) *Dr. Svetla Marinova:* (The topic will be announced later.) *Additional Scholarly Activities:* The WIBF International Business Conference in Würzburg will also feature another event specifically designed for graduate students and young scholars. Accordingly, one of the keynote speakers, Professor Ilan Alon, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Emerging Markets and the European Journal of International Management, will deliver a seminar on publishing in peer reviewed journals. Application procedure for this activity will be provided at a later date. *Languages of Presentation:* All the double-blind reviewed paper for the scholarly program should be submitted in English. *Local Attractions:* There will be some social programmes for those participants who are willing to join. Würzburg is an excellent city with very attractive surroundings (Please see: Würzburg: http://www.wuerzburg.de/en/visitors/tourist-information1/index.html). It is also centre of one of the best well-known wine locations in Germany (Franconian Wine Country: http://www.franconian-wine-country.com/?forceLanguage). *Submissions:* We accept submissions only to the email address: *[log in to unmask]* <[log in to unmask]> Papers should follow the author style and referencing guide provided on the conference website (https://wibf.fhws.de/fileadmin/wibf/Forms/WIBF% 40FHWS-TYPING-STYLE-GUIDELINES_TEMPLATE.docx). Papers not following the guidelines will be rejected. To ensure that your submissions are received and reviewed, please submit as EARLY as possible. By submitting a paper, all authors also agree that at least one author would attend the conference. *Topics (Conference Theme):* Contributions relating, but not limited, to the following topics are welcome: - Why and how multinationals need to manage political risks: Motivations, strategies and tools - Political risk insurance and investment insurance - Role of export credit agencies (ECAs) - Role of multinational institutions (such as MIGA) - Political risk insurance and providers’ approach to the new international scene - Insurance for terrorism: Who takes the risk? - Major risks: Regulatory risks, confiscation, expropriation, transfer difficulties etc. - Sectoral case studies regarding political risk management such as energy sector, extractive industries, manufacturing, services etc. - Emerging paradigms of political risk management - Political risk perceptions of German and other country multinationals regarding, US, Russia, China, Iran, Qatar, Turkey and other countries historically and at present. - Political risk management approaches and strategies, tools and mechanisms - Expectations and decisions regarding further investment or divestment in some countries and reasons behind - The future of free trade and investment agreements under the Trump administration - FDI by small and medium-sized German and other country multinationals and effects of their activities on value creation, employment and growth in both home and host countries - Small multinationals approach towards political risk management: Do political risks discourage small and medium-sized firms to be involved in internationalization and FDI? - Political risk as an obstacle to small and medium-sized firm internationalization - Lessons to be learned from the German Mittelstand in terms of internationalization and foreign direct investment activities under political risks - Political risk management practices in Germany, in the European Union and other European countries - Political risk management practices in Asia, the Middle East and the North Africa, Africa, in Americas etc. - Emerging multinationals and political risk management - Refugee flows and political risks - SME internationalization and the role of officially-supported Export Credit Agencies - International opportunity recognition and opportunity development of companies under increasing political uncertainty and risk (regulatory risks etc.) - Other topics relevant to the theme of the conference *Topics (International Business):* Those contributions related to international business in general are also welcome. As we have had a number requests from authors and even submissions in areas not directly within the scope of the conference theme, we have decided to consider those papers in international business in general though they are not directly related to the conference theme. We may organize side sessions for such papers. *WIBF IBC International Advisory Board* (please see: https://wibf.fhws.de/people/international-advisory-board/) Dr. Ilan Alon, University of Agder, Norway Dr. Diederich Bakker, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands Dr. Harald J. Bolsinger, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany Dr. Lourdes Casanova, Johnson School of Management, Cornell University, US Dr. Sencer Imer, Hacettepe University & Ufuk University, Turkey Dr. Shou Wang Kuo, Shih Chien University, Taipei, Taiwan Dr. C. Coşkun Küçüközmen, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey Dr. Kari Liuhto, Turku School of Economics, Finland Dr. Marin A Marinov, Aalborg University, Denmark Dr. Musa Pinar, Valpairoso University, US Dr. Rattanavalee Maisak, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand Dr. Jaya Prakash Pradhan, Central University of Gujarat, India Dr. Olga Saginova, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Russia Dr. Nataliia Stukalo, Dnipro National University, Ukraine Dr. Dominic Szambowski, International College of Management, Sydney, Australia Dr. Andrius Tamošiūnas, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania *WIBF IBC Organisation Committee* (please see: https://wibf.fhws.de/people/ organisation-committee/) Dr. Rainer Wehner, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany Dr. Emin Akcaoglu, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany Patrizia Kujaschewski, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany Dr. Christine Wegerich, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany Dominik Winkler, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany Martin Langhammer, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Germany *Important Dates & Deadlines:* Deadline for submissions (full papers & extended abstracts): 27 April 2018 Acceptance confirmation: 4 May 2018 *Registration:* Early bird registration: 12 March 2018 – 13 April 2018 Regular registration closes: 12 May 2018 *Fees:* Please see: https://wibf.fhws.de/registration/fees-and-payment/ *wibf.fhws.de* <http://wibf.fhws.de/> ____ AIB-L is brought to you by the Academy of International Business. 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