Doing process research in international business

Abstract

Process research develops our understanding of the emergence, flow, and evolution of phenomena over time through ongoing activities and events. The field of international business has long been concerned with developing an understanding of various kinds of processes over time. Yet, several international business scholars have called for more studies that recognize the process-based nature of international business phenomena. This paper therefore discusses the challenges of process research in international business and offers insight into how they may be addressed. We draw on the broader methodological literature and on exemplar process studies in international business to explore and illustrate a repertoire of methodological tools that may be useful in assembling the three critical ingredients of high-quality process research: rich process data, insightful process theory, and credible but creative coupling between the two.