Seminal contributions and future directions in international business political behavior and nonmarket strategy: a tribute to Jean Boddewyn

Abstract

Purpose Jean Boddewyn’s (1929–2022) work in international business political behavior launched a stream of research at the intersection of international business (IB) and strategic management that is now referred to as international nonmarket strategy (INMS). This article aims to pay tribute to Boddewyn’s scholarly legacy by providing an overview of his seminal contributions in this domain with the purpose of stimulating future research. Design/methodology/approach We examined the entirety of Boddewyn’s body of work and identified his seminal contributions to international business political behavior and nonmarket strategy, which were published in more than 40 articles and books. The authors structured our interpretation of his pioneering work in this area into three chapters: the ideation chapter, the integration chapter, and the broadening chapter. Findings We begin by providing a deep review of each of the three chapters of Boddewyn’s seminal contributions in international business political behavior and nonmarket strategy. Next, each of the authors of this article reflects on how they came to know Boddewyn’s work, and how subsequent research has been inspired by and extended his ideas. Finally, we delineate future research directions that build on and extend Boddewyn’s visionary insights to further advance our understanding of INMS. Originality/value This article reflects upon Boddewyn’s scholarly legacy in international business political behavior and nonmarket strategy and looks to the future by pointing out directions that stimulate research in this domain.