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The Belt and Road Initiative and international business policy: A kaleidoscopic perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Jiatao Li

    (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Ari Van Assche

    (HEC Montréal)

  • Xiaolan Fu

    (Oxford University)

  • Lee Li

    (School of Administrative Studies, York University)

  • Gongming Qian

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

In this editorial, we take stock of the nature and scope of China’s global development strategy named the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI), and how it influences international business (IB) policy. We build on the state of the current IB literature on the BRI and the findings of the Special Issue articles to suggest the need for complex integrative thinking on the initiative. We show that the BRI – like a kaleidoscope – elicits vastly different patterns of opportunities and challenges as we turn the perspective from policymakers in China, to governments in BRI host countries, and to officials in third countries. We illustrate how the application of integrative thinking to these perspectives allows for the identification when BRI projects generate tensions between countries and how this influences their IB policies. We further discuss under which circumstances BRI projects may benefit all sides and which IB policies can help promote these types of projects. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiatao Li & Ari Van Assche & Xiaolan Fu & Lee Li & Gongming Qian, 2022. "The Belt and Road Initiative and international business policy: A kaleidoscopic perspective," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(2), pages 135-151, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:joibpo:v:5:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1057_s42214-022-00136-x
    DOI: 10.1057/s42214-022-00136-x
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