Travel Bursary Report April 2024 - Niall O'Riordan
Niall O'Riordan is a PhD candidate at Trinity Business School. He attended the Academy of International Business Conference, Seoul 2024, which was opened by Ban Ki-Moon, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Themed on the dynamics of international business, the conference attracted approximately 1,500 members and was chaired by Professor Catherine Welch of Trinity Business School.
"My PhD topic on subsidiary strategy closely aligned with the central theme of this conference, which emphasised the importance of dynamic processes in international business research for our interconnected world. We were encouraged to submit papers, via a double-blind review process, that analyse changes over time using a process-oriented approach instead of a variance-based approach."
Niall said that he presented his paper titled 'The Evolution of Strategy in Financial Services Subsidiaries: A Process Study' during an interactive session which featured six presenters.
"My focus on subsidiary strategy evolution intersected with the topics of several other presenters, leading to a vigorous debate post presentation. This discussion yielded very constructive and specific suggestions that will significantly enhance the depth of the findings section in my paper."
The conference in Seoul presented a diverse array of sessions including plenaries, panels, and individual papers, attracting leading figures in the field of International Business. Notably, David Teece, renowned for his work on dynamic capabilities, received the prestigious 'Journal of International Business Studies' Paper of the Decade Award. Other distinguished speakers included Jay Barney, S. Tamer Cavusgil, Paula Caligiuri, and Peter Liesch.
"The panel discussions were particularly relevant to the subjects covered in my recent MBA and MSc teaching modules," Naill said.
"One standout panel featured a mix of academic and practitioner insights into the drivers of deglobalization trends and their broader implications for policymakers and the realm of international business. The opportunity to observe leading academics debate these issues from various viewpoints was enlightening and underscored the value of diverse academic discourse."
Amid concerns about rising rejection rates in top-tier journals, a session led by an expert panel of editors and authors proved invaluable. Detailed guidance, on crafting submissions to maximize acceptance chances, including strategic advice on avoiding desk rejections, was offered. Rebecca Pikari, a noted qualitative researcher, provided targeted advice on preparing manuscripts for successful editorial review, which was particularly pertinent to Niall's methodological research.
The conference also served as an excellent platform for networking, allowing for the forging of new connections with both emerging and established scholars. Feedback received from fellow presenters was encouraging and has led to discussions about potential collaborative research projects.
Additionally, Niall had the opportunity to meet with the deputy Irish ambassador and representatives from Enterprise Ireland at the Chancery in Seoul.
"It offered deep insights into the operational challenges and opportunities faced by the foreign office in the region, enhancing our understanding of international diplomatic engagements."
"I extend my deepest gratitude to the TRISS committee for awarding me the travel bursary that made my participation possible. This conference has been immensely beneficial for the advancement of my PhD research and my overall academic journey.," Niall said.