Dear colleagues,
You are invited to the 2026 International Business and Geopolitics Workshop that will be held at Copenhagen Business School from December 8-9, 2026 (precedes the 2026 EIBA conference in Aalborg)!
This workshop is co-organized by Copenhagen Business School, Department of International Economics, Government and Business, and WU Vienna, Institute for International Business - Team Puck.
International Business and Geopolitics Workshop
Multilateralism and Supranational Institutions in a World of Strained Relations
In a time marked by intensifying geopolitical tensions, shifting power balances, and the fragmentation of global governance, the role of multilateralism and supranational institutions is being fundamentally redefined. These transformations raise urgent questions about how internationally active firms navigate, shape, and are constrained by evolving institutional architectures and geopolitical challenges. This workshop invites researchers who explore the intersection of IB and geopolitics, with a particular focus on multilateral frameworks and supranational governance in a world of strained relations. Join us in Copenhagen if you study or are interested in contemporary challenges of multilateralism and global diplomacy, i.e., the shifting role of international organizations such as the WTO and UNCTAD, or the fragmentation of trade and investment treaties, and the interdependence of supranational institutions and firm strategy, global value chains, trade, and cross-border investment decisions amid rising nationalism and regulatory divergence. Present and get feedback on your theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented research and/or join us to learn more and engage with practitioners and policy experts from leading international organizations.
Workshop Format
The program will combine academic, practitioner, and policy perspectives and will include:
- Practitioner/Policy Panel: Representatives from leading IGOs (e.g., UNCTAD, EUIPO, and UNIDO) and policy representatives (e.g., lobbying groups) will share their insights on geopolitical challenges in global business.
- Theme Panel: Leading academics will discuss current research and challenges at the intersection of IB and geopolitics (e.g., Sinziana Dorobantu - NYU, Srividya Jandhyala - ESSEC, and Jonathan Doh – Villanova University)
- Editor Panel: Editors of leading IB and strategy journals will join and share their insights on publishing at the intersection of IB and geopolitics (e.g., editors from JIBS, JIBP, IBR, and GSJ)
- VALPOP Workshop: Presentation of novel data on political networks and the role of populism for global business. Followed by working paper presentations.
- In-person and hybrid Paper Sessions: Interactive sessions where participants present and receive feedback on their work.
- Curiosity Lab: A session where we collectively identify and develop research ideas to progress the field of IB and geopolitics with the help of academics and policymakers.
Submissions
We welcome both theoretical and empirical papers. Participants may submit one of the following:
· Research Ideas: Maximum of 4 pages (up to 1,000 words). Three pages for the proposal, plus one page for references, diagrams, charts, or tables. The 1,000-word limit includes all content.
· Full Papers: Working papers of up to 10,000 words (including references and appendices). Papers must include an abstract of no more than 200 words at the beginning. Use 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced. All tables, figures, and appendices should be placed after the references.
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026
Submission link: Please submit your work here: https://forms.gle/WthWXGgrNjQzYXxp7
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday Dec 8, 2026: Workshop & Dinner
Wednesday Dec 9, 2026: Workshop ends in the afternoon
è The 2026 EIBA Aalborg conference starts on Thursday, Dec 10, 2026, with pre-conference workshops
Workshop fees
The workshop is free of charge and sponsored by Copenhagen Business School, WU Vienna Institute for International Business - Team Puck, and VALPOP
Organizers
Copenhagen Business School, Department of International Economics, Government and Business (EGB)
WU Vienna, Institute for International Business - Team Puck
Organizing team
CBS: Kristin Brandl (kb.egb@cbs.dk), Der-Ting Huang (dh.egb@cbs.dk), Vera Kunczer (vk.egb@cbs.dk), Thomas Lindner (tl.egb@cbs.dk)
WU Vienna: Jakob Müllner (jakob.muellner@wu.ac.at)
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to welcoming you to CBS in December for an engaging exchange on international business and geopolitics.
Warm regards,
Kristin, Der-Ting, Vera, Thomas, & Jakob
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Der-Ting Huang
Assistant Professor
Copenhagen Business School
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