Activities at AIB 2021

Friday 25th June

8AM EST: CHARTING THE FUTURE OF RESEARCH METHODS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: A PANEL DISCUSSION

Donald Bergh (University of Denver)

Research methodology in international business is experiencing increasing scrutiny and evaluation. The panelists will extend this conversation by providing their views of current methodological practices and visions for future applications. Discussion among the panelists, and with audience members, will be wide-ranging, spanning quantitative and qualitative approaches. Come prepared to discuss the future of research methods in international business.

PANELISTS:

9AM EST: QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Ursula Ott (Nottingham Trent University)

In this workshop, the aim is to provide participants with an understanding of Qualitative Comparative Analysis. The fuzzy set QCA approach is built upon the set-theoretic comparative technique, primarily Boolean algebra, and has been introduced as a tool for integrating the strengths of qualitative and quantitative methods while overcoming the key concerns inherent in both approaches. The first part concentrates on theoretical underpinning to understand the logic behind the case and variable-oriented approaches. The second part of the module concentrates on calibration of qualitative into quantitative data derived from primary research. The outcome will be truth table, Venn Diagram, empirical and configurational analyses. The third part is direct application to the student’s practical applications.  This workshop should contribute to knowledge and understanding of the development and operation of using qualitative data and analysing it with a quantitative tool to derive results which would not be possible with the qualitative tools only.  Further, the workshop will help to develop the ability to think critically and analyse results, the ability to solve complex configurations, the ability to use information and knowledge effectively as well as quantitative skills.

11AM EST: MASTERCLASS: IDENTIFICATION IN IB EMPIRICAL RESEARCH

J. Myles Shaver (University of Minnesota) & Joel Waldfogel (University of Minnesota)

Across many social science disciplines, there is increasing focus that empirical research identify causal mechanisms of empirical relationships versus plausible alternatives. In this workshop, we will discuss the issue of identification and what it means for IB research. Our focus will be how to consider identification from the initiation of research questions, to research design, and through the execution of the empirical analysis.

2PM EST: FRACTIONAL REGRESSION MODELS

Jesper Wulff (Aarhus University)

This workshop introduces participants to regression models where the outcome is in the form of a fraction, proportion, or percentage, i.e., fractional regression models (FRMs). In IB, FRMs are relevant for analyzing outcomes such as export as a proportion of total sales or foreign subsidiary ownership share. We will cover estimation, testing and interpretation of various types of basic FRMs, but also discuss some advanced topics such as FRMs with instrumental variables and FRMs for panel data.

Saturday 26th June

8AM EST: ETHNOGRAPHY

Fiona Moore (Royal Holloway, University of London) & Jasmin Mahadevan (Pforzheim University)

What insights can ethnographic methods of data gathering and analysis contribute to IB scholarship? How can we overcome the challenges of doing participant-observation research in an international business setting? Two experienced business ethnographers will conduct an interactive workshop exploring the theory behind ethnographic research, its uses in IB, and the practicalities of conducting participant observation in general and in the present changing business world.

11AM EST: MASTERCLASS: QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Stav Fainshmidt (Florida International University), Thomas Greckhamer (Louisiana State University), Ursula F. Ott (Nottingham Trent University)

The aim of this masterclass is to help IB researchers who utilize Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). The masterclass is focused on supporting researchers who have some prior knowledge and experience with QCA and are working on applying QCA in their research design and data analysis. The purpose of the masterclass is to encourage and support good practice in the application of QCA for IB scholarship and to help participants to achieve robustness in the way configurational data analysis is conducted in all aspects, from design, calibration, truth table analysis to the presentation of your results. The focus is on advanced problem solving so you will be expected to come prepared to the masterclass. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to outline the project you are currently undertaking or planning to pursue and to detail the issues with which you seek assistance form the masterclass leads. However, researchers interested in attending the session without a specific project/issue are welcome as well. For more information, and to register, visit: https://www.aib.world/events/2021/preconference/research-methods-workshops-and-masterclasses/

Objectives

The objectives of the Research Methodology Shared Interest Group are to:

  • Provide AIB members with a worldwide forum for scholarly engagement about research methodologies;
  • Advance the quality, diversity and understanding of research methodologies in the AIB;
  • Provide a repository of knowledge for AIB members on the range of, and trends in, research methodologies;
  • Stimulate innovation in research methodologies and promote the use of novel methodologies;
  • Organize doctoral training and professional development opportunities for AIB members on research methodologies;
  • Alongside the AIB, assist in building the research capacity of new researchers and emerging countries and regions.

Membership is currently free for all AIB members.