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The current developments of geopolitical rivalry, pandemic disruptions, and techno-nationalism have led to a fundamental reconfiguration of the global economic order, creating strategic imperatives for the multinational enterprises (MNEs) that go beyond the traditional internationalization theory. This paper aims to contribute to the literature with a systematic review of the adaptation process of MNEs in the time of geopolitical fragmentation and deglobalization. We used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology to screen 200 initial records from Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and JSTOR databases, resulting in 47 peer-reviewed articles, mostly published in the last eight years (2018–2026), and a few seminal articles from the past 30 years of international business studies. The analysis of our themes indicates that there are six main strategic response clusters: (1) reconfiguration of the supply chain, including reshoring, nearshoring, and friend-shoring; (2) geopolitical risk management via real options and diversification; (3) a renewed focus on regionalization over global integration; (4) digitalization as a strategic buffer; (5) nonmarket strategies, such as political adaptation and lobbying; and (6) de-internationalization, including staged divestment. We combine these themes into an integrative conceptual framework by integrating the EDGES themes (Economic Systems, Digital Disruptions, Geopolitical Fracture, Environmental Sustainability, and Socio-Cultural Ideology) with firm-level dynamic capability responses and performance outcomes. We find certain gaps that are of critical importance: lack of micro-level empirical evidence, lack of MNE perspectives from the emerging markets, and limited integration of artificial intelligence and geopolitics. The review contributes to the international business theory and provides practical guidelines for the management of MNEs in an increasingly fragmented world economy.

  This study aims to explore the effect of foreign direct investment on the educational attainment.  This paper employed the POLS and 2SLS models. In Pooled Ordinary Least Square Model, educational attainment in primary, lower secondary, upper secondary and masters’ level have the significant positive relationship with foreign direct investment. In Two stage Least Square Model, educational attainment in primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, tertiary and masters’ level have the significant positive relationship with foreign direct investment. This study contributes to look at the impact foreign direct investment on educational attainment. Panel data from 38 Asian countries was gathered for this study, which spanned the years 2011 to 2022. The study results have important policy implications as they are directly linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 4.1, which aims to guarantee that all girls and boys get free, equitable, and high-quality primary and secondary education by 2030, resulting in relevant and effective learning outcomes.

Foreign capital inflows (FCI) are essential for economic growth in developing countries. This study examines the socioeconomic factors affecting FCI in 31 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, utilizing panel data from 1985 to 2019 and employing the System GMM dynamic modeling approach. The findings indicate that when foreign direct investment (FDI) is treated as an endogenous variable, real interest rate (RIR), life expectancy (LEX), GDP growth rate, and food security (foodsec) have significant positive impacts. Conversely, the real exchange rate (RER) and inflation (INF) negatively correlate with FDI. Human capital investment is not statistically significant while the relationship between lagged FDI and current FDI is positive but nonsignificant. When foreign portfolio investment (FPI) is considered an endogenous variable, only food security exhibits a positive and statistically significant factor, suggesting that food security can enhance FPI flows. The study recommends that SSA countries aiming to attract more FCI should focus on improving healthcare, food security, and education. It is also suggested that countries should develop highly skilled R&D employees, public and private scientific research institutions, and industrial concentration in a country because they fundamentally drive the development and success of foreign capital flow levels. Central banks should also implement effective strategies to optimize capital flows by advancing financial institutions.

The overarching aim of this study is to shed light on the effects of the competitive dynamics between local and international enterprises in townships and rural regions of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), Eastern Cape province, South Africa. To achieve this aim, our study compares the effects of these selected strategies between local and foreign businesses owned by local and foreign traders in townships and rural areas in the CHDM. We employed a quantitative research approach using questionnaires to gather data. In the complete model, the indirect effect of product diversification (PD) on competition dynamics (CD) through pricing strategy (PS) is minimal and non-significant. Similarly, for foreign businesses and local businesses, the mediation effect remains negligible. These findings suggest that while PD influences CD directly in some contexts, PS does not play a significant intermediary role. Overall, the results highlight the direct impact of PD on CD, particularly for foreign businesses. The mediating role of PS is negligible, and the importance of diversification for competition differs significantly between foreign and local businesses. These findings suggest the need for tailored diversification strategies based on the business context to enhance competitive positioning

This paper explores the role of strategic government communication in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Zimbabwe in the post-Mugabe era, using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology. The study investigates how government communication strategies, including diplomatic engagement, national branding, and media outreach, influence investor perceptions and contribute to economic growth. The review identifies key insights, noting that Zimbabwe’s efforts to rebrand itself through campaigns like "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" have enhanced its image internationally and attracted investments, particularly in the mining and infrastructure sectors. However, the study highlights several challenges, including political instability, inconsistent policies, and competition from other African nations, which continue to hinder Zimbabwe's full potential in attracting FDI. The findings suggest that while strategic communication has been effective in improving Zimbabwe’s image, further steps are needed to ensure consistent policy frameworks and address investor concerns regarding security and economic stability. The paper concludes that sustained efforts in refining communication strategies, alongside policy consistency, are essential for Zimbabwe to become a more competitive investment destination. Additionally, future research directions are proposed, including comparative studies with other African nations and an exploration of the role of non-governmental actors and digital platforms in enhancing FDI attraction.  

The study explores relationships between renewable energy variables across African nations, focusing on South Africa (RSA) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using panel data from 2013 to 2022. Key variables include Chinese mining sector FDI (in USD), renewable energy capacity (in MW), technological advancements, policy frameworks, natural resource management, technological adoption, and risk perception. Employing descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and linear regression, the study reveals notable findings. Descriptive statistics highlight significant diversity in renewable energy capacity, policy support, and mining sector FDI levels across African countries, reflecting varying development stages and investment climates. The DRC exhibits slower FDI growth compared to South Africa. Correlation analysis indicates that Chinese FDI strongly correlates with technological advancements, favorable policy frameworks, and renewable energy capacity, while high-risk perceptions discourage investment and capacity development. Regression results identify technological advancements as the most significant predictor of FDI and sustainable growth, emphasizing its critical role in attracting investment. Although policy frameworks and risk perception show potential, further exploration with larger datasets is required to uncover their moderating or indirect effects. The study underscores the interdependence between technological development, investment flows, and renewable energy capacity. It calls on African nations to prioritize technological advancements, foster partnerships with Chinese firms for technology transfer, and implement robust policy frameworks. Policymakers should focus on political stability, economic reforms, tax incentives, streamlined approvals, co-financing mechanisms, and addressing structural challenges to effectively attract FDI and drive sustainable growth.

Taiwan's banking sector operates in a highly competitive market with narrow profit margins, creating significant pressure for internationalization. This study investigates the external environmental factors influencing the timing of Taiwanese banks' foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japan, with a particular focus on geopolitical risks. The research, based on secondary data analysis and in-depth interviews with senior executives from four Taiwanese banks that have recently invested in Japan, finds that key drivers such as the U.S.-China trade war, supply chain restructuring, Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, changes in Japan's defense and economic security policies, as well as the depreciation of the yen, widening interest margins, and Japan's policy support, play a crucial role in shaping the timing of these investments. Notably, geopolitical risks emerge as a significant determinant in FDI timing decisions. By highlighting the importance of geopolitical risks, this study contributes to the theoretical framework of FDI timing and recommends further research on cross-industry and investment performance to refine analytical framework for FDI timing in a fragmented global economy.

Global trade has significantly expanded over the past thirty years in both developed and emerging economies, a phenomenon assisted by advancements in transportation, telecommunications, and industry. Extensive trading fosters financial links between national economies, hence promoting economic progress. This article aims to investigate the interrelationship among foreign direct investment, trade, and South Africa's economic growth.  Econometric techniques, including the autoregressive distributed lag bound test, were used to annual data from 1988 to 2022. The findings indicated that economic growth is positively affected by foreign direct investment and exports in both the short and long term. This indicated that foreign direct investment and exports are substantial contributions to economic growth.This analysis indicates that both foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade significantly impact the macroeconomic environment and influence economic growth. Developing countries such as South Africa must use diverse strategies to guarantee elevated rates and quality of economic growth. Improvements in the investment climate and the establishment of incentives are necessary to enable the equitable allocation of resources across various sectors to address employment challenges, poverty rates, and the maintenance of growth. Export-oriented strategies should be adopted. Therefore, it is essential to analyse the determinants of economic growth by examining foreign direct investment and trade in the context of South Africa, particularly in relation to the country's performance as measured against the National Development Plan targets since the post-1994 period.

This paper aims to highlight the relationship between cultural differences and the performance of non-equity alliances in the hotel sector with reference to a developing country. The paper employs an empirical investigation based on quantitative analysis. Data were gathered through questionnaires obtained from Tunisian hotels involved in 78 non-equity alliances with foreign partners. The partial least squares (PLS) technique was used to estimate the model. Results reveal that national and organizational cultural differences have a negative impact on alliance performance in this sector. The likelihood of alliance decay is then strengthened. However, national cultural differences do not moderate the relationship between organizational cultural differences and alliance performance. The corporate culture of these hotels could somehow be impervious to local culture. This paper helps fill the void of empirical evidence of the impact of both levels of culture on the performance of non-equity alliances in the hotel industry, which warrants more attention, especially in developing countries.

This paper aims to examine the effect of institutional distance on the level of equity ownership. The sampling technique in this research used a purposive sampling technique. The sample of this research is cross-border acquisition transactions between Chinese multinational companies and target countries in the Southeast Asia region in the 2015 – 2019 period; thus, the total sample of this research is 32 transactions. The analysis technique in this study was Multiple Linear Regression with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model. The main finding of this study demonstrates that economic and geographical distance partially affect the level of equity ownership significantly. Meanwhile, administrative distance does not partially affect the level of equity ownership of the target company by Chinese multinational companies.

The purpose is to identify the role and importance of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the Kosovo economy, emphasizing FDI in the banking sector and their impact on employment growth - comparing FDI levels with countries of the Western Balkans. Data processing design is in line with a focus on data published by local and international organizations and institutions, using methods deductive, comparing research data synthetically and analytically with direct access to literature, scientific journals, official reports published domestically and abroad. Kosovo aims to regulate favorable legal infrastructure by attracting as much FDI as possible to other countries in the region. In this context, in Kosovo the economic field is regulated by legal provisions covering the area of FDI, which is very favorable compared to other Western Balkan countries. This paper provides sufficient data to show the current state of FDI in Kosovo compared to the countries of the Balkan region, as well as the extent to which FDI has affected employment growth in the Kosovo banking sector. The practical implication also relates to identifying the improvement of positive legal conditions for more FDI attraction. The data in the paper present the real situation of FDI in Kosovo and their role in economic development, emphasizing the country's banking sector and how Kosovo stands for FDI relative to the Western Balkan countries.

Multinational companies (MNCs) show an apparent tendency toward research and development (R&D) for the last three decades. Many kinds of research have recently focused on R&D in emerging countries (ECs) to reveal the differences from R&D in developed countries. This paper presents a literature review consisting of 23 articles from 2004-2019 on R&D in emerging markets. By conducting content analysis, it has been analyzed their prominent concepts and results. According to the research focus, the articles examined have been classified into five main groups – internationalization of R&D, R&D activities, R&D investments, technology-based R&D, R&D offshoring – along with articles that cannot be grouped. The main purpose of this study is to determine the current tendency of R&D in emerging markets. Thus, it provides to understand in which position R&D has in emerging markets, and under which circumstances it is successful. Furthermore, practitioners can benefit from the results of the presented study. The systematic evaluation of the findings contributes to the formation of a general view for future research.

<p>The opportunities of investment brought along by the global economic integrity might turn into a threat in an instant and undermine the underlying structures of national economies. It is necessary to analyze the conflict risk properly in terms of both portfolio investment and finance strategies. This is an important step to be included in the process of arriving to a rational decision. In that way, the existing investment risks could be priced more efficiently. It is proved on Collier and Starr models that there is a correlation between the conflict risk and unemployment, economic recession, inflation and fiscal discipline. In brief, the breakdown in the economic parameters increases the conflict risk and a progress occurring in the opposite way, decreases that risk. In this study, it is discussed the effects of the conflict risk for foreign investment availabilities.</p>