International Business (Research) and the LGBTQIA+ Community: Advancing Theory and Societal Relevance

Abstract

Purpose The study aims to catalyze research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other non-heteronormative sexual identity (LGBTQIA+) issues within the international business (IB) field in a structured manner beyond human resource management (HRM) or marketing topics. In addition to the growing number of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) researchers, the authors also want to speak to a broader audience of IB scholars focused on multinational enterprise (MNE) non-market strategy, IB policy and strategic management scholars.

Design/methodology/approach The study first looks at the evolving LGBTQIA+ terminology. It then synthesizes the extant LGBTQIA+ literature, as it relates to the IB field, starting with the marketing literature from the 1990s.

Findings Within the IB literature, HRM issues, particularly around expatriation and the diffusion of LGBTQIA+ policies and practices, dominate. The study also finds that the majority of LGBTQIA+ research is etic rather than in nature and is heavily dominated by Anglo-American terminology and western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic (WEIRD) ontologies.

Originality/value The IB field has only recently started systematically addressing diversity, such as gender, ethnicity and race. The interest in sexual orientation and the LGBTQIA+ community is even more novel. The authors make a case for more emic-type of LGBTQIA+ research and stronger cultural theorizing to provide nuanced and pluralistic approaches beyond so-called WEIRD perspectives. The study also provides guidance on how the IB field should engage with LGBTQIA+ topics across multiple levels of theorizing and analysis and provides some supporting research questions.