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Progress, maturity or exhaustion? Sources and modes of theorizing on the international strategy - performance relationship (1990-2011).
Martin,Xavier van den Oever,K.F.
Martin,Xavier
van den Oever,K.F.
Abstract
We examine patterns and changes in the use of various theoretical perspectives, and in the approach to testing individual or combinations of theories, within the field of international strategy which constitutes one of the major areas of international business research. We conduct a systematic bibliometric analysis of 22 years’ worth of empirical papers. We generate tabular evidence and introduce the use of network graphing methodology to report and analyze the co-occurrence of theories. We find a changing distribution of theoretical perspectives, indicative of a re-centering of the field around strategic and organizational perspectives. This is accompanied by use of more complex approaches to testing contingencies of the sort likely to result from these theories combinations, especially across firm, interfirm and institutional levels of analysis. We thus generate and discuss critically a quantitative and graphical overview of the progress of international strategy research. This creates unique and comprehensive insights into the development of theory and empirics in international business. We draw lessons for academics and report practical recommendations for the conduct of research. Overall, our study sheds new light on the disciplinary nature of international business research and its interplay with related fields and disciplines. It explicates patterns of theory accretion alongside patterns of theory testing and refinement. It provides a comprehensive map of the field of international business strategy as it evolved since 1990 and illuminates its future.
Description
Martin, Xavier, & Koen van den Oever. 2013. “Progress, maturity or exhaustion? Sources and modes of theorizing on the international strategy - performance relationship (1990-2011).” Advances in International Management, volume 26, pp. 331-361.
Date
2013
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Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald
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Research Projects
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Keywords
International strategy, Performance, Bibliometric analysis, Network analysis, Theory development, Research methodology
Citation
Martin, X & van den Oever, K F 2013, Progress, maturity or exhaustion? Sources and modes of theorizing on the international strategy - performance relationship (1990-2011). in T M Devinney, T Pedersen & L Tihanyi (eds), Advances in International Management : Philosophy of Science and Meta-Knowledge in International Business and Management. vol. 26, Advances in International Management, no. 26, Emerald, Bingley, pp. 331-361. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1571-5027(2013)0000026018