Comprehensive Studies on the Development of International Business

Dear Colleagues,

The globalization of markets and the acceleration of digital transformation have ushered in a new era for international business. Consequently, the MDPI journal Administrative Sciences is issuing a call for papers for a Special Issue focused on “Comprehensive Studies on the Development of International Business,” which aims to explore the multifaceted dynamics underpinning cross-border trade, investment, strategic alliances, and organizational adaptation. This Special Issue welcomes contributions that cover the strategic, operational, and institutional dimensions of international business, emphasizing the interconnectedness of economic, social, and technological factors. By adopting a holistic and comparative approach, the Special Issue seeks to capture the complexity of global business in an increasingly volatile and digitalized world. Whether contributions cover multinational corporations, SMEs, emerging-market multinationals, or cross-border digital platforms, this Special Issue values rigorous, interdisciplinary, and policy-relevant scholarship that advances theory and practice for current and future international business development.

International business is experiencing profound transformations driven by geopolitical tension, digital technologies, sustainability imperatives, and shifting global value chains. Firms are navigating new risks and opportunities—from nearshoring and digital trade to ESG regulation and adaptive governance. Despite significant progress, the literature remains fragmented, as strategic insights often focus narrowly on firm-level tactics, while macro-level studies may overlook organizational nuances. Empirical research tends to focus on advanced-market multinationals, usually overlooking SMEs and digital-native entrants. Furthermore, measurement frameworks are still evolving, particularly in areas such as dynamic capabilities, ecosystem resilience, and multi-stakeholder value. This collection invites integrative, empirical, conceptual, and comparative studies that address these gaps, shedding light on how international business evolves in a rapidly changing, interconnected global economy.

We welcome submissions on areas of interest such as the following topics:

• Cross-border strategic adaptation: dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, and resilience;
• Global value chain evolution: nearshoring, reshoring, and network diversification;
• SMEs and emerging-market multinationals—internationalization processes, resources, and performance;
• Digital platforms and international entrepreneurship—ecosystems and regulatory implications;
• Sustainability and ESG in international operations—compliance, green investments, and stakeholder governance;
• Political and institutional cross-border risks—trade regulations, sanctions, geopolitical tension;
• International human resource management—virtual teams, global talent mobility, and cultural integration;
• Comparative studies across regions—Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the MENA region;
• International M&A and alliances—integration strategies, cultural synergies, and failure risks;
• Methodological advancements—multi-level modeling, mixed methods, longitudinal comparative analysis.

(This list is non-exhaustive; authors are encouraged to submit related topics that fit the theme.)

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-500 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send this to the Guest Editors or to the Assistant Editor (zoya.zhang@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue; full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.

Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 April 2026
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 31 May 2026

Dr. Marcus Goncalves
Dr. João Alexandre Lobo Marques
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Administrative Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.