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Management and Organization Review

Special Issue on

'Global Disorder and Firm Strategies'

Guest Editors

Victor Cui,¹ Yuehua Xu,² Xiaocong Tian,² and Changqi Wu³

¹University of Waterloo, ²Shandong University, and ³Peking University

Manuscript submission deadline: January 31, 2026

Special Issue Theme Background

Globalization has traditionally been underpinned by a liberalist order, characterized by principles such as multilateral cooperation, cost reduction, and economic rationality. However, the recent geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China have challenged this institutional logic, giving rise to realist principles that emphasize competition, nationalism, and protectionism (Cui, Vertinsky, Wang, & Zhou, 2023; Luo, 2024; Witt, 2019). This paradigm shift has manifested as U.S.-China decoupling (Cui et al., 2023), techno-nationalism (Luo & van Assche, 2023), Global Value Chain (GVC) disruption (Vertinsky, Kuang, Zhou, & Cui, 2023), politicized fragmentation of the world economy (Beugelsdijk & Luo, 2024; Cui, Tian, & Yu, 2025), and protection sentiments (Yiu, Wan, Chen, & Tian, 2024). The escalated systemic volatility and unpredictability have resulted in global disorder, challenging long-held and fundamental assumptions that shape the decision-making of both domestic and multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Recently, scholars have started to delve into how MNEs respond to such global disorder, from various perspectives. For example, integrating the perspectives of institutional logic and risk management, Cui et al. (2023) has developed a theoretical framework that guides MNEs in addressing the 'new vulnerabilities' of globalization. A few researchers have explored MNE post-entry strategies, such as rhetorical and geopolitical jockeying strategies, to address geopolitical conflicts (Lubinski & Wadhwani, 2020; Tian, 2022). Other studies have adopted relational or network perspectives to examine the impacts of country-level conflicts and sentiments exacerbated by national animosity, military conflict, and diplomatic relations, on cross-border investments, including mergers, alliances, and subsidiary establishment (Li, Arikan, Shenkar, & Arikan, 2020; Li, Meyer, Zhang, & Ding, 2018; Tian, Xu, & Yiu, 2024; Xu, Li, Wang, Xin, & Zhao, 2025).

Despite these early insights, the origin, mechanisms, and consequences of the global disorder remains understudied. While prior studies have tackled these issues and developed important theoretical perspectives (Cui et al., 2023; Luo, 2024; Vertinsky et al., 2023; Witt, 2019; Witt, Li, Välikangas & Lewin, 2021), most of the incumbent frameworks remain untested, demanding micro-level empirical evidence. Second, most of the existing studies focus on firm-level decision making, overlooking the role of key decision-makers within firms, such as the board of directors and top management leadership, study of whom would shed more nuanced insights on the global disorder. Third, most existing insights have primarily taken a top-down approach, examining the cascading effect of global disorder on firms, while overlooking the bottom-up effect of micro-level behaviors on the genesis and development of this turbulence. Finally, and probably more importantly, given the disruptive nature of the global disorder on the world economic order, the challenges it poses on the classic theories founded on the economic logic has yet to be fully addressed. A wide range of theories from multiple disciplines (e.g., strategy, international business, and corporate governance) may need to be more fully engaged, where their fundamental assumptions are revisited for novel and updated insights.

Scope of the Special Issue

This special issue aspires to advance our knowledge of these aforementioned critical issues of the global disorder. We focus on China, a key stakeholder shaping this global turbulence. Specifically, we seek studies on Chinese domestic firms, Chinese MNEs, and non-Chinese MNEs operating in China, as they navigate this disorder. We are interested in innovative research that examines, from a top-down approach, the impact of the global disorder on firms, such as their strategic responses and performance consequences. We are also interested in papers that examine, from a bottom-up approach, how firm decision-making may contribute to the evolution of the global disorder.

We welcome a wide range of theoretical perspectives, such as institutional theory, political science, strategy, international business, and corporate governance. We are open to analysis at multiple levels, such as ecosystem, inter-firm, firm, board of directors, and executive teams. Theoretical and empirical studies, quantitative and qualitative approaches are all welcome. Given the transformative nature of the global disorder in redefining the existing global economic order, this special issue particularly welcomes submissions that challenge classic theories and illuminate novel insights. In that spirit, we welcome submissions with empirical findings that may appear unconventional or counterintuitive, and we ensure they will be treated fairly in the review process.

All submissions must directly speak to, measure, and/or investigate the global disorder and its effects. Global disorder must be placed at the center of theorizing and analysis, rather than just serving as a contextual backdrop. Submissions that fail to do so will not be sent out for review.