The global business environment

The research theme of the global business environment encompasses a comprehensive exploration of international business and management. It examines the multifaceted dimensions of the global business landscape, including the institutional environment, distance factors, emerging markets, and corruption, to understand their influence on international business operations.

The studies conducted shed light on the social demonstration effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing economies, particularly in relation to women-led local firms. Additionally, they delve into the complex dynamics between multinationals and corruption, exploring the role of these firms as either vulnerable victims or tacit participants. The research also examines how political capital influences the responses of Chinese state-owned enterprises to institutional voids in the context of their operations in Africa. Furthermore, it explores the new realities of international business and provides insights into navigating informal institutions when Chinese multinational enterprises invest in foreign markets like Australia. Through these studies, a deeper understanding of the global business environment and its implications for business practices is attained.

Our researchers

Featured publications

• Fang, S., Xu, D., Xu, L. C., & Shams, H. (2023). Does FDI have a social demonstration effect in developing economies? Evidence based on the presence of women-led local firms. Journal of International Business Studies, in press (the first three authors contributed equally).
• Cooke, F. L., Wang, J. T. & Wood, G. (2022). A vulnerable victim or a tacit participant? Extending the field of multinationals and corruption research, International Business Review, 31(1), 101890.
• Wang, D., Cui, L., Vu, T., & Feng, T. (2022). Political capital and MNE responses to institutional voids: The case of Chinese state-owned enterprises in Africa. Organization Studies, 43, 1, 105-126.
• Ghauri, P., Strange, R., & Cooke, F. L. (2021). Research on international business: The new realities, International Business Review, 30(2), 101794.
• Zhang, M.M., Lu, Y., Zhu, C.J., & Zhou, H. (2020). Navigating the web of informal institutions when investing in a strange land: Chinese multinational enterprises in Australia. American Business Review, 23(2), 316-334.

Watch, listen, read

• Global garment industry bears the brunt of COVID supply chain woes, Impact Monash Business School, 2021.
• Empowering South Asian women as entrepreneurs to close the gender gap, Impact Monash Business School, 2015.