Sinkovics, Noemi, Rudolf R. Sinkovics, Mehdi Boussebaa, and Margaret Fletcher Eds. (2024), International Business and SDG 8 - Exploring the Relationship between Ib and Society. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 Abstract: 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. 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. This book examines the policy issues and practitioner perspectives on the role of International Business in the achievement of SDG 8 targets in the current global climate. Covering topics such as the 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, this is a vital resource for scholars and students interested in exploring international business and grand societal challenges. https://www.sinkovics.com/rudolf https://www.sinkovics.com/noemi https://www.glasgow.ac.uk/

1. Book launch - Volume 30
“The Academy of International Business”
book series
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5

2. IB and SDG8?
• The twelve associated targets call for action in several interconnected
domains
» of great relevance for global governance, international business, and
international entrepreneurship
• 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.
• Disruptions to peace and the weakening of democratic systems raise
questions around
» the responsibility of local and foreign business actors in these regions.
• Mass migration, forced or voluntary, raises questions around
» integration mechanisms in host countries including integration into the labour
market and through encouraging entrepreneurship.
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 2

3. Organisation of the book
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 3

4. Content
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 4

5. Selected chapter contributions
Part I – Introduction to
International Business and SDG8
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 5

6. Chapter 3
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_3
Labour standards provisions in
international trade policy: An
international business perspective
Asmund Rygh
6

7. Key message:
• Labour standards provisions in international trade agreements aim to improve
conditions for workers in the trading partners.
• Following failed attempts to include them in multilateral frameworks such as the
World Trade Organisation (WTO), they have been increasingly used in bilateral and
regional trade agreements and trade preferences schemes.
• So far, such provisions have received little attention in international business research.
• This chapter provides an introduction to labour standards provisions, and theoretical
and empirical research on their effects.
• The chapter then proposes a research agenda on labour standards provisions from an
international business perspective.
7

8. Chapter 1
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_1
International Business and SDG 8:
An introduction to the theme
Noemi Sinkovics, Rudolf R. Sinkovics, Mehdi Boussebaa, Margaret
Fletcher
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 8

9. Key message: SDG8 and interconnectedness of targets
• 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 several interconnected
domains
• global governance
• international business
• international entrepreneurship
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 9

10. Chapter 2
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_2
International Business and SDG8:
are we on course?
Rob van Tulder
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 10

11. https://youtu.be/IIldOegeEAY
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 11

12. Selected chapter contributions
Part II – Research perspectives on
SDG8
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 12

13. Chapter 4
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_4
Corporate Commitment to Decent
Work and Sustainable
Development: A Quantitative
Analysis of Corporate Reports of
DAX 40 MNCs
Stefan Zagelmeyer
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 13

14. Key message: Corporate commitment is increasingly reported, but
the ‘depth’ of these commitments…
• Goal: The chapter explores corporate commitment to decent work and sustainable
development, using word frequency analysis and text-mining methods, drawing on the annual
reports and sustainability reports of German DAX 40 MNCs in 2010 and 2020.
• Public policy background: The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Agenda (SDGs)
and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda.
• Analytical framework: Legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory, and signalling theory.
• Methods, data and analysis: The study uses word frequency analysis and text-mining
methods, based on a dictionary of over 2300 keywords related to the SDGs, to map and
analyse the incidence and extent of SDG-related and decent work-related reporting in 116
corporate annual reports and sustainability reports published in 2010 and 2020.
• Main findings and implications: The study finds that there is a general increase in the
reporting on the SDGs and decent work over time, but also some variation and decrease
across companies and types of reports. Further research is needed to explore the drivers and
outcomes of corporate reporting, as well as the qualitative content of SDG-related and decent
work-related initiatives and practices.
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 14

15. Chapter 5
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_5
MNE intercession, antitrust, and
supply chain slavery: A new
regulatory strategy to realise SDG
8.7
Brent Malcolm Burmester
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 15

16. Key message: Antitrust can be a tool to accelerate, enlarge, and
sustain slavery deterrence by MNEs
• Antitrust sees monopoly as inherently anti-social – but market power accumulation has been
defended on the basis of enhanced consumer welfare. There is a growing consensus in antitrust
scholarship that this justification is insufficient – e.g., consumer benefits may be at expense of labour
» MNEs will need to find other ways to legitimize their retention of monopoly power
» Market power might be construed as pro-social if applied in defence of unprotected workers
• Proposition => MNEs can execute their duty of intercession in defence against antitrust enforcement
• The duty of intercession is imposed by the latest iterations of modern slavery and business and rights
law. Supply chain due diligence requires lead corporations to intercede on behalf of super-exploited
workers of third parties in their supply chains, because:
» MNE subcontracting networks obscure modern slavery, and this is not wholly unintended.
» Demands by lead MNEs make labour exploitation unavoidable where basic rights go unprotected.
• This duty of intercession sees market power as ‘wasted’ for not being exercised in the interests of the
most vulnerable in supply chains. A failure to protect constitutes an abuse of MNE market power by
inaction
• Thus, as MNEs are increasingly subjected to antitrust scrutiny, they may be incentivized to exert
themselves in defence of labour and thus promote SDG 8.7
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 16

17. Chapter 6
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_6
Hiding in plain sight: Transparency
and ethics in fashion industry GVCs
Louise Curran, Khalid Nadvi
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 17

18. Key message – More transparency in fashion GVCs but continued
intransparency in certain areas
• Enormous progress has been made in transparency in fashion
Global Value Chains (GVCs)
» especially since the Rana Plaza disaster.
• Yet this has not always improved
» the ethics of these chains or
» the outcomes for workers
• Analysis of several key transparency databases and interviews
with key transparency actors
» Data sheds light on some aspects of GVCs, especially geography,
but still obscures many factors vital to ethical sourcing – especially
purchasing practices.
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 18

19. Chapter 7
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_7
MNEs and disadvantaged
communities in emerging markets:
Paths to SDG8
Renan Oliveira, Jayne Cathcart, Axèle Giroud, Jorge Carneiro, Pervez
N. Ghauri
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 19

20. MNEs and disadvantaged communities: paths to SDG 8
• Research Question:
How do MNEs help contribute to the achievement of
SDG8 through interaction with disadvantaged
communities?
• Methodology:
» Scope: IB, Management, Economics and Development studies
» Search strategy: 3 databases: ABI inform, Scopus and Web of Science;
Keywords in title, abstract, and keywords sections
» Quality: ranked 3 and above in the ABS 2021 list
» Relevance: (1) MNEs, (2) poverty alleviation or Bottom of the Pyramid
(BoP) (3) the developing/emerging market as the host context.
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 20

21. MNEs’ direct contribution to SDG8
• Address child labour and human rights issues in supply chains, sustainable
economic development and encouraging ‘spin-offs’ (Strand, 2009)
• Increase job opportunities locally (Garvin et al., 2009 ; Selmier et al., 2015; Brandl
et al., 2022)
• ‘On-the-job’ skills training for individuals from disadvantaged communities
(Davila et al., 2018)
• Inclusive innovation and growth:
» upskilling of workers, while offering nutritional products to improve health of
malnourished children (Peerally et al., 2019)
• Direct investment in communities: schools and infrastructure (Garvin et al.,
2009; Hadjikhani et al., 2016)
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 21

22. Concluding remarks on MNEs and disadvantaged communities…
• Existing research shows direct and indirect interaction: value chain activities, employment for
disadvantaged communities, considers risks of human rights infringements and modern
slavery
• Limitations of current research:
» Scant research on SDGs relevant to disadvantaged communities: SDG8, SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2
(no hunger), SDG10 (reduced inequalities)
» Unidimensional conceptual approach
» Focus on African extractive industries
• Challenges for MNEs: Diversity of SDGs: emerging countries may need to prioritise “economic
and social SDG target over ecological ones” (van Tulder & van Mil, 2022, p. 93) but great need
to further explore relationship between IB and society (Sinkovics et al., 2024)
• More comprehensive approach: integrate stakeholder, legitimacy, and institutional theories to
advance a broader conceptual framework
• Call for future research to explore multiplicity of actions, strategies, and mechanisms MNEs
can employ to facilitate interactions with ‘hard to reach’ communities
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 22

23. Thank you!
Pervez Ghauri: University of Birmingham, U.K. Email: P.Ghauri@bham.ac.uk
Axele Giroud: University of Manchester, U.K. Email: axele.giroud@manchester.ac.uk
Jorge Manoel Carneiro: FGV Sao Paulo, Brazil Email: jorge.carneiro@fgv.br
Renan Oliveira: FGV Sao Paulo, Brazil Email: renan.oliveira@fgv.br
Jayne Cathcart: : University of Birmingham, U.K. Email: c.j.Cathcart@bham.ac.uk
http://www.mnedevelop.com
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/100285470
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 23

24. Chapter 8
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_8
The role of foreign multinational
corporations in innovation
capability upgrading of subnational
Peripheries
Shasha Zhao
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 24

25. Key message: Relationship between MNE and host subregional
markets is under-explored
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 25
Core-peripheral inequality:
It is significant not only
emerging economies but
advanced
Little known:
the distinctive interaction
between subsidiary
innovation and subnational
peripheries
Core regions:
Studies on core regions do
not account for the
idiosyncrasies of the
peripheries.
The conceptual framework:
it calls for identification of
mechanisms for innovation
capability upgrade of
subnational peripheries.
Purpose of the study:
It offers a review and a
framework to promote
scholarly thinking in this
under-explored area

26. sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 26

27. Chapter 10
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_9
Blockchain technology adoption for
economic and social upgrading
Umair Shafi Choksy, Muhammad Ayaz, and James Francis
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 27

28. Key Message: Blockchain technology may enhance transparency in
GVCs, but impact on economic and social upgrading not yet clear…
• BT adoption is likely to
» improve traceability and process upgrading,
» potentially leading to financial benefits for DE suppliers.
• However, BT adoption may also
» heighten the power asymmetries favouring lead firms,
» could impact the distribution of economic rents and possibly overlook broader sustainability
goals.
• While BT adoption could facilitate social upgrading, the dominant power of lead
firms may skew benefits and demand substantial investment from DE suppliers,
risking their financial performance.
• Future research should focus on
» how regulatory frameworks and institutional conditions can help balance power in GVCs,
ensuring blockchain adoption cultivates inclusive growth.
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 28

29. Chapter 11
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_11
Sustainability in entrepreneurial
ecosystems going global
David B. Audretsch and Antje Fiedler
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 29

30. Key message: Connections between entrepreneurial ecosystems are
key in transitioning toward a more inclusive, sustainable society
• The international connectivity between local EEs is driven by
two types of mechanisms
» Structural-level mechanisms include incubators, accelerators, and
NGOs
» Individual-level mechanisms include returnee entrepreneurs,
migrant entrepreneurs, and global argonauts.
•  Future research on sustainable opportunities should focus
more on the mechanisms that connect EEs and facilitate
spillovers of sustainable knowledge
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 30

31. Chapter 12
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_12
Towards a typology of governance
mechanisms in cross-sector
partnerships based on multiple
agency theory
Jihye Kim, Jiwon Song, Dhruba Borah
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 31

32. 75 percent of cross-sector partnerships fail to meet partner
expectations
• MSPs: Multi-stakeholder partnerships
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 32

33. Type 1 Cross-sector partnership:
Government-firm(s) with no
involvement of CSOs
Type 2 Cross-sector partnership:
Government-firm(s) alliance with CSOs
as the “claimed principal of
government”
Type 3 Cross-sector partnership: CSO(s)-
firm(s) with no involvement of the government
B2G Alliance employees
Govt.
executives
Firm
managers
B2G Alliance employees
Govt.
executives
Firm
managers
CSO
managers
B2C Alliance employees
CSO
managers
Firm
managers
E.g., MasterCard and Nigerian government
collaboration to bring more innovation to
commercial transactions and payment solutions to
Nigerian consumers.
• A low level of temporal differences/free-riding
and opportunistic behaviour in this type since
firms and government both favour formal
control governance in partnership.
• CSOs’ voice are intensified
• Pressure from CSO / CSOs as advisor provides
guidelines to government while government as a
translator of CSOs’ intentions plays an important
role in mediating principals (CSOs and firms)’
potential tensions.
• High level of challenge from
institutional logic differences/temporal
differences.
• High level of free-riding and
opportunistic behaviour because of
weak governance mechanism.
Five typologies of cross-sector partnerships
We build on “multiple agency theory” (Hoskisson et al., 2012) to explore the typology of governance mechanisms in
cross-sector partnerships and we discuss the complexity between different principals and agents’ institutional logic,
temporal differences and free-riding and opportunistic behaviour as well as how these problems affect each type of
cross-sector partnership
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 33

34. Type 4 Cross-sector partnership: CSO(s)-firm(s)
alliance with CSOs as the “claimed agent of
government”
Type 5 Cross-sector partnership: Government-
firm(s)-CSO(s) alliance
B2C Alliance employees
CSO
managers
Firm
managers
Govt.
executives
B2C2G Alliance employees
CSO managers Firm managers
Govt. executives
• The institutional logic of government will be dominant in
government-CSO collaboration relationships since government’s
top-down approach will enhance its regulatory, hierarchical,
coercive institutional logic.
• A low level of temporal differences and free-riding and
opportunistic behaviour.
• Expect a high level of challenges from difference in
institutional logic.
• Challenges from free-riding and opportunistic behaviour
will be low in this type because of the high visibility of
collaborative project.
Five typologies of cross-sector partnerships
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 34

35. Chapter 13
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_13
A microfoundational framework of
institutions: Knowledge transfer in
traditional crafts for sustainable
economic growth
Krishna Kumar Balaraman, Elizabeth L. Rose
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 35

36. Key message: Multilevel Institutions Framework for Knowledge
Transfer to Enable Preservation of Traditional Arts and Crafts
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 36
• At the micro level, individual artisans aid in preserving
knowledge by embedding skills, attitudes, and
coordination mechanisms during pursuit of traditional craft
• Meso-level institutions play important roles in the
preservation of traditional knowledge by connecting the
knowledge to economic imperatives
• Macro institutions can help by including new players and
the transposition of cultural products by technology
adoption and market expansion
• Non-economic aspect of knowledge transfer is based on
the traditional involvement of artisans, consistent with
SDG8.9.
• Ability of micro-level institutions to perform their roles in
traditional knowledge transfer is enmeshed with, and
dependent on, the other institutional levels’ acting as
effective economic and policy agents.

37. Chapter 14
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_14
Reviewing worker and producer
cooperative contributions toward
SDG8 in developing and developed
economies
Frank Siedlok, Lisa Callagher, Stefan Korber
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 37

38. Key message: Cooperatives foster SDG8
38
• alternative organisational form defined by 7 cooperative principles*
• collective ownership, democratic decision-making, and member
participation support sustainable and inclusive economic growth:
• new employment opportunities and emancipation of disadvantaged
groups
• an antidote to employee exploitation and improved working
conditions
• protect employment and serve wider range of stakeholders,
especially during downturns
• community and employees above profit
• mobilise and pool resources for collective action where formal
institutions fail
• enable SMEs to join GVCs and counterbalance power issues
• developing and developed contexts matter
• not a panacea though: all about how they are done!
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5

39. Selected chapter contributions
Part III – Teaching perspectives on
SDG8
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 39

40. Chapter 15
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_15
Embedding diversity, equity, and
inclusion (DEI) in international
business education
Aušrinė Šilenskytė, Matevž (Matt) Rašković
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 40

41. https://youtu.be/pUI-Gt0J8BY
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 41

42. Chapter 16
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_16
The role of external context in
enhancing student learning
outcomes through experiential
learning
Joanne Wright
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 42

43. Key message: Experiential learning supports SDG8 through
alignment of social and organisational goals
43
01 Western Universities are
increasingly shifting away from
traditional teaching formats and
towards more hands on,
application based ‘experiential
learning’ approaches
02 Experiential learning
approaches can support learning,
but context is a key factor in
enhancing learning outcomes
03 New Zealand, as a small,
open, isolated, export-oriented
economy, offers a unique context
to enhance student learn
outcomes about international
business
04 Strong ties between NZ
Universities and industry leaders
offers important collaboration,
networking and connection with
learning material
05 Together experiential learning
in international business
conducted in the NZ context
supports SDG8 by delivering
authentic learning opportunities
leading to the alignment of both
social and organisational goals
06 How embedded students are
in the context, and their culture
can mitigate the learning
outcomes of experiential learning
activities
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5

44. Chapter 17
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_17
Examining modern slavery through
design thinking in the international
business classroom
Swati Nagar
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 44

45. Examining Modern Slavery in the IB Classroom
Modern Slavery – a complex global
social problem affecting millions -
but limited discussion in the IB
Classroom
Design Thinking – a human
centered pedagogical tool
Introducing students to the -
Modern Slavery in an everyday
product – Chocolate
Students employ Design Thinking to
examine the nature + extent of
exploitation in the global supply
chain of Chocolate
Perspectives of Farm Workers,
Owners, Manufacturers &
Consumers
The aim –
Bring awareness and to propose
strategic solutions for more
sustainable production &
consumption – “farm to table”
Offers an innovative pedagogical
approach to analyzing complex
global social problems in the IB
context
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 45

46. Selected chapter contributions
Part IV – Practitioner reflections on
SDG8
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 46

47. Chapter 18
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_18
SDG 8 and the case for local value
creation in Africa’s food value
Chains
Jason Archie-Acheampong
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 47

48. Key message: Global food system as a lens to view some of the
grand challenges facing societies today
• Unlocking jobs for local people
• Locally produced goods for end
consumers
• Facilitating regional trade
• Better financing
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 48

49. Chapter 19
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5_19
European migration, where are we
going and how to improve
integration?
Wilhelm Brunner
49
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5

50. Key message: Importance to differentiate “wanted“ versus
“unwanted migration“ – Importance to research the latter
• Over the past ten years record breaking numbers of migrants have
entered Europe. It is being labeled "unwanted migration".
• While governments are considering to send migrants to Central
Africa, keep them in Turkey or North Africa, there is an enormous
shortage of labourers in the European industries in Britain,
Germany and elsewhere.
• It is getting obvious that the lack of workforce will significantly
impact future economic growth in Europe.
• In order to keep economies growing next to increasing the efforts
for the "wanted" migration of talents, the professionalisation of the
integration of "unwanted migrants" will be desperately needed.
50
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5

51. Endorsements
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 51

52. Selected endorsements
• “Few can doubt the important ambition of SDG 8 to promote sustain-able economic growth and decent work for
all. Few can also doubt that execution has proved problematic. This book makes an important contribution by
demonstrating how the discipline of International Business can contribute to clarifying the issues and
articulating solutions. The key strengths of the book are the wide-ranging diversity of the topics addressed, and
the inclusion of educator and practitioner views alongside the scholarly debates on issues ranging from labor
standard provisions in international trade policy to multinationals and disadvantaged communities in emerging
markets. There is a welcome embrace of complexities and highlighting of trade-offs throughout.”
» —Professor Geoffrey Jones, Isidor Straus Professor of Business History, Harvard Business School
• “How ‘decent work’ and relevant ‘economic growth’ can be linked in an inclusive, sustainable and prosperity-
enhancing manner, is one of the key challenges of our time. Investing in decent jobs and social protection has
been recognized as a promising pathway to synergistically achieve universal access to essential services,
reduce inequalities and safeguard human rights and wellbeing. Hence, it can be argued that the relevance of
International Business scholarship depends on whether and how it meaningfully addresses this challenge, at all
relevant levels of analysis. There are substantial intellectual gaps to be filled in this area, which not only pertain
to the search for proper metrics, but also to what theo-ries, research approaches and teaching activities should
be developed to yield actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers alike. This book provides an
excellent attempt to bring together many state-of-the-art efforts from International Business scholars,
highlighting a rich body of SDG8-related topics to serve this need. In many respects, this book presents
inspiring work ‘in’ and ‘on’ progress for engaged IB scholars!”
» —Eveline van Mil and Professor Rob van Tulder, Authors of ‘Principles of Sustainable Business. Frameworks for Corporate Action
on the SDGs’ (2023, Routledge)
sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 52

53. Selected endorsements
• “In this brilliantly-thought-through volume we have chapters by scholars and practitioners taking us through the
intricate (and often untrodden) lanes of how contemporary global crises have impacted or disrupted
international business, supply chains, socioeconomic upgrading and, importantly, job prospects in low-income
countries. The diverse experiences of subsectors, enterprises, services and layers of governance as buyers
and suppliers responded to the unprecedented challenges have been presented in this unique volume both
engagingly and convincingly. The volume is rich in insights for industrial and trade policy making that will be
responsive to sustainable growth, decent work and creating greater employment opportunities in the global
south. The volume reaffirms the value and efficiency of interdisciplinarity in understanding international
business dynamics as often mediated through armed conflicts, deadly viruses and even mistrust between
stakeholders at the drop of a hat. This is a volume fecund with grounded analyses, innovative propositions, and
responsible strategies.”
» —Professor Keshab Das, Dean, School of Social, Financial & Human Sciences, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar,
India, and Visiting Professor, Institute for Human Development, New Delhi, India
• “Whereas many books provide a general overview of their domains of interest, this latest addition to the
Academy of International Business – AIB-UKI Chapter book series provides cutting-edge research focused
specifically on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8. This tightly focused book speaks
directly to SDG 8 as it is particularly relevant for international management scholars. Further beyond providing
this focused view on scholarly perspectives on SDG 8, the book provides a novel section on teaching
perspectives on SDG 8 as well as practitioners’ reflections. Together, the book develops the notion of making
international business scholarship more societally engaged and relevant through engagement with
stakeholders, students, and policy makers.”
» —Professor Anthony Goerzen, Sobey Professor of International Business, Smith School of Business, Queen’s University,
Kingston, Ontario, Canada sdg8 book - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46802-5 53