The Journal of International Business Policy (JIBP) is the world’s premier outlet for research on international business policy. The goal of JIBP is to publish the finest and most impactful research on international business phenomena that aims to improve public policy. JIBP is multidisciplinary in scope, and interdisciplinary in content and methodology.
JIBP seeks to publish manuscripts that explore new academic ground, rather than merely making an incremental contribution to our understanding of international business policy. Manuscripts should identify novel issues or dilemmas; build arguments on prior research to highlight what is interesting and different; and clearly identify their contribution to both the research community and public policy debates. While submissions may focus on current events, they need to provide insights that are expected to have lasting academic value. Manuscripts that provide different perspectives, sometimes deliberately controversial or challenging to mainstream views, are welcome if they advance thinking about international business policy.
The litmus test for publishing in JIBP is policy relevance. Manuscripts must showcase how the insights of the study matter for public policy debates. We do not publish papers that focus on business policy or that only have tangential public policy relevance. Rather, we welcome submissions that contribute to our understanding of international business policy by studying one of the four following areas:
- The good, bad, and ugly influence of international business on public policy concerns, ranging from economic issues (e.g., development, innovation) to sustainability matters (e.g., societal inequality, environmental crises) to national security concerns (e.g., economic resilience, nationalism);
- The impact of public policies on cross-border business transactions;
- The influence of multinational firms, global value chains, and other forms of international business on the formulation of public policy;
- The public policies that governments should adopt to address societal challenges through the shaping of international business.
A paper is applicable for JIBP when its core arguments are inherently linked to international business, either at the level of the firm, or at the aggregate level of industries and economies. Papers in which international business is peripheral to the main argument are not suitable for JIBP. Thus, a study of a question such as “do MNEs contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions than domestic firms?” would qualify as potentially relevant for JIBP. A study on “corporate engagement to advance the Sustainable Development Goals” may not qualify if no specific attention is paid to companies that engage in international business.
JIBP seeks to examine international business policy issues from a variety of lenses and perspectives. We encourage the submission of manuscripts from individuals with different academic (e.g. economics, public policy, law) and professional (e.g. policy practitioner, NGO) backgrounds. We accept papers using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Analytical reviews covering the academic and gray literature on a given policy issue are also welcome. The journal's only requirements are that manuscripts must be well documented, rigorous, balanced, and above all, policy relevant.
JIBP does not publish manuscripts about teaching materials/methods or manuscripts aimed solely at a practitioner audience. Manuscripts that do not aim to improve the knowledge necessary for developing effective international business policies should not be sent to JIBP.
Submissions to JIBP must comply with the AIB Journal Code of Ethics and follow the journal’s Style Guide, including formatting, length and references. Poorly written or structured papers will be promptly returned to the authors.
Want to publish with us? Submit your Manuscript online.
