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Multinational enterprises (MNEs) face unprecedented challenges from exogenous shocks such as pandemics, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. These major disruptions test the resilience and adaptability of global business operations and require strategic responses that span multiple countries and business units.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities and opportunities within global value chains and MNE operations. Understanding how MNEs learn from and adapt to such major disruptions is critical for both theory and practice in international business.

This special issue seeks to advance our understanding of how MNEs respond to, learn from, and build resilience against exogenous shocks. We welcome empirical and theoretical contributions that examine MNE adaptation strategies, organizational changes, and the factors that influence their ability to navigate major disruptions.

Potential topics

• How have MNEs adapted their global value chains in response to exogenous shocks?
• What organizational and strategic changes have MNEs implemented to build resilience?
• How has the pandemic affected MNE subsidiary autonomy, mandates, and roles?
• What is the role of digital transformation in MNE adaptation to exogenous shocks?
• How do institutional contexts shape MNE responses to major disruptions?
• What are the short-term and long-term implications of exogenous shocks for MNE competitiveness?
• How have MNEs managed stakeholder relationships during major disruptions?
• What lessons can be learned from MNE responses to past crises?

Timeline

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