Introduction

International business strategy is a field where theory continuously seeks to meet business practice. Increasingly, scholars of international business strategy are concerned with the uncertainties and complexities of international operations, especially when firms commit significant resources to foreign markets. Over time, multinational enterprises have evolved in order to manage the challenges in their environments. The contributions in this volume address key remaining challenges and opportunities for the modern multinational enterprise. These contributions include refinements of traditional ideas about the role of firm-specific and country-specific advantages as well as new knowledge around how the heterogeneity observed in international business strategic behavior stems from the size, origin, governance and other characteristics of the firm. Further, we invite the reader to explore new dimensions of international business strategy, in order to understand the strategic implications of digitalization or the increased social pressure placed on MNEs to “do the right thing” and manage international operations responsibly, in ever changing social, economic and institutional environments. Each chapter provides insightful future research directions and implications for management and policy. This collection is a complete Handbook of International Business Strategy that should serve as a knowledge repository for scholars and managers alike