Abstract
Business system theory (BST) lies at the intersection of organization theory, political economy and sociology. It is gaining incremental attention in the field of management, particularly in cross-border and comparative studies of the structure, strategy and management of multinationals. Yet, international business (IB) studies do not tend to borrow much from this sub-field. This paper reviews BST literature from 1992 to 2015 and seeks to identify its contributions and gaps, in ways that can be helpful for future research in IB. Trend analysis of BST literature and mapping this sub-field suggests that the BST research stream can be identified in relation to four ‘broad themes’ which we describe as junctures- i.e. comparative business systems, internationalisation and MNC management, organizational capability and innovation, and transnational communities. Mapping and pattern recognition of the ‘themes’ focused in BST literature show that the highest focus of publications is on the study of internationalisation and the structure, strategy and management of multinationals. International business studies, particularly that using neo- and new-institutionalism as a framework have much to learn from the BST and its literature. Thus, the systematic review, on the one hand, presents a perspective on the key themes of BST literature and how they inter-relate and have developed, whilst, on the other hand, it brings these themes and contributions into the light for IB studies and suggests how IB and BST can enter into a productive dialogue.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Titel | EIBA 2015 Conference Proceedings |
| Antal sider | 36 |
| Forlag | European International Business Academy |
| Publikationsdato | 1 dec. 2015 |
| Status | Udgivet - 1 dec. 2015 |
| Begivenhed | EIBA 2015, 41st Annual Conference of European International Business Academy - Rio de Janeiro, Brasilien Varighed: 1 dec. 2015 → 3 dec. 2015 |
Konference
| Konference | EIBA 2015, 41st Annual Conference of European International Business Academy |
|---|---|
| Land/Område | Brasilien |
| By | Rio de Janeiro |
| Periode | 01/12/2015 → 03/12/2015 |
Bibliografisk note
How can international business gain from business system theory?This paper seeks to identify the contributions and gaps of the Business Systems Theory. It presents the key themes of the Business Systems Theory literature. It is discussed how they interrelate and how they have developed. This results in a suggestion on how international business and Business systems Theory can enter into a productive dialogue.
The paper concludes that Business Systems Theory literature can offer international business research an analytical framework for investigating multinational corporations management from a new perspective.
Published: 2015