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LONG RANGE PLANNING CALL FOR PAPERS Global Decarbonisation Strategies of Sunset Industries For this special issue, we are particularly interested in empirical studies that examine the transformation and challenges associated with the implementation of global decarbonisation strategies by sunset industry firms, and which advance theory in doing so. Guest editors: Huda Khan (Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability Research, University of Aberdeen, UK; InnoLab, University of Vaasa, Finland, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>) Zaheer Khan (Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability Research, University of Aberdeen, UK; InnoLab, University of Vaasa, Finland, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>) Tazeeb Rajwani (University of Surrey, UK, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>) Chang Hoon Oh (University of Kansas, USA, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>) Geoffrey Wood (Western University, Canada, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>) Special issue information: Given growing numbers of climate change induced extreme weather events, the sustainability agenda has been vested with increased urgency (Boiral, 2006). Decarbonisation strategies are a central mechanism for achieving net zero (Busch et al., 2018), and it has emerged as one of the megatrends that business cannot ignore (CNBC, Aug 2023). However, it requires industry specific changes at a global level; emissions generated through the corporate value chain make up an estimated 80% of the Fortune Global 500's footprint (CISION, Sept 2021). Situated in this context, a critical issue in industrial decarbonisation is the transition from “sunset” to “sunrise” industries. The former are carbon intensive industries, enjoying historical advantages in accessing finance, and considerable political clout (Verrier and Strachan, March 2023); it is well known that firms operating in controversial industries are more likely to resort to non-market strategies to deal with non-market stakeholders. The quintessential examples of such industries would be oil and gas, and mining, as well as the petrochemicals industry. Emerging low or zero carbon industries may benefit from new green investment funds but lack the formidable non-market fire power of the sunset industries, even if in some instances, they may benefit from government decarbonization strategies and shifting political sentiments (Verrier and Strachan, March 2023). In the case of sunset industries, which constitute the core concern of this special issue, active industrial policies are necessary to incentivize and support retooling. Sunset industry firms often resist and delay their contributions to decarbonisation efforts which worsens global climate change (Verrier and Strachan, March 2023). Accordingly, the aim of this special issue is to develop the knowledge base regarding effective global decarbonisation strategies for the multinational enterprises operating in the sunset industries, what works, what has not, and what incentives firms to embark on decarbonization. This special issue of Long Range Planning seeks to advance global strategic management theory and applied research through exploring what makes decarbonization more or less likely cost effective and manageable within the changing socio-economic and technological regimes. Climate change is the greatest grand challenge faced by the world. Many governments have unveiled ambitious plans to support moves towards a zero-carbon economy, even if deadlines are often vague or shifting, and/or if over-reliance is placed on new technologies such as carbon capture that have yet to demonstrate scale viability. Given sunset industries actively retain substantial economic, social, and technological capacities; they have a huge potential to drive innovation in regard to the decarbonisation strategies (Verrier and Strachan, March 2023). Yet, only a few prior studies that have paid attention to the decarbonisation of this industry have explored the role of technology (Garvey et al., 2022; Leeson et al., 2017; Mandova et al., 2019; Vogl et al., 2018) and barriers (Richardson-Barlow et al., 2022). For this special issue, we are particularly interested in empirical studies that examine the transformation and challenges associated with the implementation of global decarbonisation strategies by sunset industry firms, and which advance theory in doing so. Below are some of the illustrative theoretical approaches and themes of this special issue: Dynamic capabilities of sunset industries for global decarbonization Dynamic capability (Teece, 2014; Teece et al., 1997) is one of the key theories used in international business and strategy literature. As an example, studies can consider how can sunset industries develop international marketing agility (a meta dynamic capability of sensing, flexibility, speed, and responding) that may facilitate their global decarbonisation strategies for sustainable practices (Khan, 2020; Teece et al., 2016). Similarly, how can dynamic absorptive capacity (learning, exploiting, and transforming) be developed for global decarbonisation (Khan et al., 2019; Zahoor et al., 2022). Studies in this regard may also consider the micro foundations of the dynamic capabilities required for a sustainable or decarbonisation strategy (Grewatsch and Kleindienst, 2018). Business Model Transformation for implementing global decarbonization strategies Amid global climate change risks attributed to the industrial practices, rejuvenating business models are important in facilitating decarbonization (Enkvist et al., 2008). Despite literature has pointed toward the importance of business model innovation for addressing sustainability objectives (Snihur and Bocken, 2022; Bocken and Geradts, 2020), hardly any study has examined its efficacy and dynamics in global decarbonization of sunset industries. Hence, there is a scope to make scholarly contributions in this regard. As an example, scholars can explore the role of stakeholders in ecosystem innovation for sustainable business models for global decarbonisation (Snihur and Bocken, 2022). Studies can also possibly explore the role of key capabilities required for the effective business transformations for implementing global decarbonization strategies. Global strategic cooperative alliances within the sunset industry for global decarbonisation Another possible avenue to make contribution is to consider strategic cooperative alliances (Akhtar et al., 2019; Zahoor et al., 2023a; Zahoor et al., 2023b) for global decarbonisation practices in sunset industries. This would include alliances formed for an environmental sustainability purpose (Oh & Oetzel, 2022), cross-sector collaborations in home and host markets (Al-Tabbaa et al., 2019) and coopetition with global rivals (Christ et al., 2017). Studies can examine how MNEs can establish global network and cooperation agreements in resolving this grand global tension (Khan et al., 2018). Studies can consider the role of alliance capabilities such as learning for decarbonisation practices (Hübel et al., 2022) and they may also consider how best practices, learnings, and strategic knowledge can be transferred across borders to address this complex global problem (Khan et al., 2015). Studies can also consider the differential strategic implications of foreign direct investment and entry modes adopted within the sunset industry setting for their global decarbonisation initiatives in generating environmental impact (Wiessner et al., 2023). Decarbonisation of global value chains of sunset industries Work in this area could examine the horizontal and vertical linkages between lead and foreign firms for knowledge sourcing for decarbonisation practices (Ambos et al., 2021). Also, studies can explore other aspects such as micro foundations of decarbonised global value chain, impact of lead firm strategy in decarbonisation on value chain partners (particularly lower tier 2 & 3 suppliers), dynamics and challenges associated with decarbonising value chains, and the impact of global macro environmental factors in strategizing for decarbonising the value chains (Ambos et al., 2021). Institutional perspective on sunset industries’’ global decarbonisation Studies can also explore the role of institutions and their role in shaping firms’ strategic choices (Peng, 2003). This might include work on formal and informal regulation, for example, in terms of variations in different national and international carbon regulations on sunset MNEs (Nippa et al., 2021; Wood et al. 2020; Doh et al. 2021). Studies can also explore the impact of social institutions, such as communities and civil society organizations, that govern behaviors and expectations placed on MNEs at the local level. This leads to the question as to whether and how MNEs consider the importance of social acceptance in addition to legal regulatory licenses in different contexts (Ho, Oh, and Shapiro, 2022). This involves assessing how MNEs prepare and adapt gaps between their global decarbonisation practices and local expectations. Non-market strategies of sunset industries for global decarbonisation Scholarly contributions can also be made to non-market strategies that can facilitate the development and adoption of global decarbonisation practices of sunset MNEs. Recently, international business scholarly attention has been devoted to understanding the efficacy of non-market strategies for traditional innovation and international performance (Khan et al., 2023a; Khan et al., 2023b; Sun et al., 2021). Scholars can extend the theoretical knowledge regarding how sunset industries can capitalise on mature socio-political ties for creating sustainable policies for decarbonizing the sunset industries, how past non-market strategies may constrain moving forward, and the conditions under which non-market strategies are effective (Oh, Shapiro, Ho, and Shin, 2020; Lawton and Kock, 2023). Potential Research Questions Below are some of the potential research questions that studies could address: * What are the antecedents and outcomes of global decarbonisation strategies in the sunset industries? How these are comparable to the sunrise industries? * What challenges sunset industries face in implementing global decarbonisation strategies in home and host markets? How these challenges can be mitigated? * How different types of resources and dynamic capabilities play a role in global decarbonisation strategies and how these can be built? * How can sunset industries transform business models for implementing global decarbonisation strategies? * How can MNEs in sunset industries effectively develop cooperative alliances for enacting global decarbonisation strategies in home and host markets? * How can decarbonisation strategies be integrated in the global value chain? * How do global macro environmental factors and global regulations impact the global decarbonisation strategies? * What role do different types of institutions and institutional challenges play in global decarbonization strategies of sunset industries? * How do emerging technologies facilitate decarbonization efforts of sunset industries’ MNEs? * Under what circumstances, non-market strategies for global decarbonisation are effective for the sunset industries; and what are the potential drawbacks of non-market strategies in achieving net-zero targets by sunset industry firms in home and host markets? Manuscript submission information: The call for papers will accept submissions that advance theory through empirical enquiry and have potentially impactful contributions to policy and practice. Multiple submissions from same authors (even if not the first author of the manuscript) will not be allowed. Dr Huda Khan will manage the system on behalf of the editorial team. However, any questions pertaining to this special issue must be directed to the entire Guest Editorial team using their contact details attested in the call for papers. Submission Process and Deadlines * Submission deadline: 28 February 2025 * For more information on the Special Issue – please visit the LRP website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/long-range-planning/about/call-for-papers#global-decarbonisation-strategies-of-sunset-industries * Please select the article type “VSI: Global Decarbonisation”. Prof. Tazeeb S. Rajwani Professor of International Business and Strategy Surrey Business School, University of Surrey Co-Editor-in-Chief, Multinational Business Review Associate Editor, Journal of International Management T: +44 (0) 1483 686 300 E: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> W: surrey.ac.uk/sbs <https://www.surrey.ac.uk/business-school> ____ AIB-L is brought to you by the Academy of International Business. For information: http://aib.msu.edu/community/aib-l.asp To post message: [log in to unmask] For assistance: [log in to unmask] --- You must be an active AIB member to post to AIB-L . AIB-L has a moderator which checks messages for basic relevance. However, AIB does not edit or screen messages for accuracy or reliability of content. All subscribers are recommended to perform their own due-diligence before responding to any requests or calls. AIB accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.