The 50-Year Legacy of EIBA: Shaping International Business Research

Founded in the early 1970s to create a distinctly European perspective on international business, EIBA emerged as a unifying platform for scholars across the continent. Its first official conference in 1975, held in Jouy-en-Josas, France, marked the beginning of an institution that would grow to shape the global discourse on international business.

The academy's early years were challenging as EIBA worked to establish its footing. Membership numbers fluctuated, and the organisation relied heavily on its annual conferences to sustain momentum. Despite these hurdles, groundbreaking research from its members laid the foundation for the field, including influential contributions like John Dunning's work on multinational enterprises and the Uppsala internationalization process model. The launch of the EIBA Newsletter provided a critical tool for fostering connections among members and ensuring the flow of ideas across borders.

In the 1980s, geopolitical changes, including reconciliation between governments and multinational enterprises and the expansion of the European Communities, created new opportunities for international business research. EIBA embraced this moment, strengthening its conferences and introducing the now-renowned Doctoral Tutorial, which has become a hallmark of its commitment to nurturing future scholars.

The 1990s brought significant growth and transformation. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the acceleration of European integration enabled EIBA to expand its geographic reach, with conferences held in regions like Southern and Eastern Europe. Research themes shifted to reflect the era's challenges, focusing on globalisation, technological strategies, and knowledge transfer within multinational enterprises.

At the turn of the century, EIBA embraced digitalisation, introducing electronic proceedings for its conferences and establishing the International Business Review as a dedicated platform for research. The creation of the EIBA Fellows strengthened the organisation's intellectual foundations, fostering a vibrant scholarly community. Professor Reijo Luostarinen from Helsinki School of Economics, which later became Aalto University, played an instrumental role in the establishment of EIBA Fellows.

The early 21st century marked a period of consolidation and modernisation. EIBA refined its governance, stabilised its operations, and integrated sustainability and global value chains into its research focus. The academy also celebrated the legacies of key figures, including John H. Dunning and Danny Van Den Bulcke, whose contributions shaped its direction and impact.

In recent years, EIBA has continued to evolve in response to global challenges. With the rise of platform businesses, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and the COVID-19 pandemic, EIBA has remained a vital forum for addressing the complexities of (de-)globalisation. A new generation of scholars, including many women in leadership roles, has taken the helm, steering the academy toward a future of inclusive and innovative international business research.

EIBA's journey over the past 50 years reflects its enduring commitment to fostering global collaboration, advancing scholarly excellence, and addressing the pressing challenges of the international business landscape. As the academy looks to the future, its legacy serves as a foundation for navigating the complexities of an ever-changing global economy.

Source: Simões, Cantwell & Gugler, The History of EIBA, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2025.

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