Important Dates:
-Extended Main Conference Paper Submission Deadline: 31 January 2023 (formerly 16 January)
-Doctoral Colloquium Paper Submission Deadline: 30 January 2023
-No Frills Registration Deadline: 28 February 2023
-Standard Conference Registration Fee Deadline: 26 March 2023
Points of Contact:
–Margaret Fletcher, Margaret.Fletcher@glasgow.ac.uk
–Noemi Sinkovics, noemi.sinkovics@glasgow.ac.uk
Conference Theme: International Business and SDG 8 – Are we on course?
Overview: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. The twelve associated targets call for action in a number of interconnected domains that are of great relevance for global governance, international business, and international entrepreneurship.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical issues such as war, the climate crisis and associated humanitarian catastrophes highlight just how fragile progress towards inclusive and sustainable growth is. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the February 24 invasion of Ukraine a “Zeitenwende” (a revolution) and in face of external shocks we witness local communities and small firm actors are hit hard. Global disruptions in supply chains and an increase in national protectionism prompts questions whether global value chains should be shortened and re-localised to reduce risks. The increased need for government support for small and medium enterprises shifts the ground on which support was traditionally provided.
Restrictions to travel and in person communication prompts businesses to take advantage of digital technologies to ensure business continuity. Disruptions to peace and the weakening of democratic systems raises questions around the responsibility of local and foreign business actors in these regions. Mass migrations, be it forced or voluntary, raise questions around integration mechanisms in host countries including integration into the labor market and through encouraging entrepreneurship.
In the 49th AIB UK & Ireland Chapter Conference we thus provide a scholarly platform to interrogate the complex relationship between international business (IB) and society, in particular around SDG 8. In tradition with previous chapter conferences, we invite general IB papers and contributions which speak to the specific conference theme. Topics include technological upgrading and innovation, the formalisation and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation as well as from the exploitation of workers and employees including women, children, migrants, persons with disabilities and other minorities. We also invite work on technological advancements in digitalisation, automation, and robotics, specifically when connected to their enabling function for attainment of larger degrees of inclusiveness on the individual, firm and regional levels. IB topics which connect IB actors with effort of policy makers, non-governmental organisations, and other non-firm actors, are also very welcome.