Distance as Diversity: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Distance is a fundamental construct in International Business/International Management (IB/IM) research. It also has practical implications for the conduct of business across borders. In this introduction to this Point-Counter-Point exchange, I comment on the two perspectives on the role of diversity as a complement or substitute for the distance construct. I argue that this discussion has ramifications for not just the distance construct, but broader assumptions and tenets in the IB/IM literature.

Automated summary

This article discusses the significance of distance in International Business/International Management research, as well as the role of diversity in complementing or substituting for it, which has implications for broader assumptions and principles in the IB/IM literature.