Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kirsten Mogensen Author-X-Name-First: Kirsten Author-X-Name-Last: Mogensen Title: Business diplomacy and justification: new post-pandemic 'Rules of the Game' Abstract: The pandemic disrupted normal life worldwide in 2020-21 and created room for the recreation of society as a 'moral community'. History shows that moral norms and power structures that are developed during social crises impact the future 'rules of the game' for transnational businesses. During the pandemic, many governments made health their top priority and imposed restrictions that harmed some business interests. By doing so, they demonstrated both a willingness and an ability to prioritise other goals than economic growth, and post-pandemic this may lead to prioritising other of the UN SDGs. This study contributes to the existing literature with the suggestion that firms will be motivated to engage in diplomacy when economy is not the sole priority for governments <em>and</em> governments have demonstrated the strength and willingness to impose restrictions on business. In short, the incentives come from the acknowledgment of societies' need to balance and mediate between different priorities and actors from different spheres with different interests. Benevolence seems to be increasingly important for trust in businesses and for justification. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 21-40 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: government-business relation; business diplomacy; corporate diplomacy; international trade and investments; transnational corporations; hierarchy of values; benevolence; justification; 'Rules of the Game'; COVID-19 lock-down; stakeholder capitalism; shareholder capitalism; trust; globalisation; spokesperson. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125219 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:1:p:21-40 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sergio Caballero Author-X-Name-First: Sergio Author-X-Name-Last: Caballero Author-Name: Iñigo Arbiol Author-X-Name-First: Iñigo Author-X-Name-Last: Arbiol Title: COVID-19 impacts on multilateralism and diplomacy: the potential of business diplomacy Abstract: This article begins by analysing the pandemic as an 'accelerator' of previous trends. The international context from which these trends emerged was one of a 'crisis in globalisation', in conjunction with an increase in protectionism and heightened tensions between Donald Trump's USA and Xi Jinping's China. After analysing how multilateralism has been questioned and eroded, the present article turns its attention to currently unfolding developments: from transregionalism <em>á la carte</em> to minilateralism, as encapsulated by the notion of 'multipolarity without multilateralism'. However, one strategic tool in particular has the potential to serve as a vital component of a formula to revive multilateralism in a context of crisis: business diplomacy. This sphere of knowledge, strategically applied, may serve as a roadmap to internationalise and promote multilateralism, while attributing due recognition to the role of business as an actor capable of shaping the ecosystem and, specifically, redesigning aspects of the great contemporary political consensus, from the rules of business internationalisation to the 2030 Agenda. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 6-20 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: business diplomacy; multilateralism; pandemic; US-China tensions; business internationalisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125220 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:1:p:6-20 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Naiara Igarabide Author-X-Name-First: Naiara Author-X-Name-Last: Igarabide Title: Critical revaluation of the theories of international political economy: business diplomacy, a new dimension of study? Abstract: Although the International Political Economy (IPE) field has traditionally been divided into ontological and epistemological terms, the main schools coincide in developing a perspective on Multinational Corporations (MNC) that perceives them as subordinated actors or promoters of unequal political structures. However, the role of corporations has changed in the last few decades. Due to the 2030 Agenda and the 'post-globalisation' process, MNC have created new strategies in order to adapt their business to this new context, such as Business Diplomacy, seeking to converge both corporate and State interests. This study has two goals: firstly, to critically analyse the different schools of IPE to identify potentially conditioning ideas in research into MNC. Secondly, to problematise the lack of perspectives in IPE by exploring the role of Business Diplomacy in the post-global context in which close state-corporation relations will be crucial. Business Diplomacy may offer a new perspective on IPE regarding the role of multinationals in development. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 65-80 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: IPE; international political economy; MNC; multinational corporations; business diplomacy; post-globalisation; SDG; sustainable development goals; CSR; corporate social responsibility. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125221 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:1:p:65-80 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Francisco J. Valderrey Author-X-Name-First: Francisco J. Author-X-Name-Last: Valderrey Author-Name: Adriana Sánchez Author-X-Name-First: Adriana Author-X-Name-Last: Sánchez Author-Name: Alejandro Delgadillo Author-X-Name-First: Alejandro Author-X-Name-Last: Delgadillo Title: International business diplomacy: mining for good practices in Latin America Abstract: Historically, diplomacy has been an inherent aspect of international commerce and trade. Diplomacy has evolved, providing innovative tools and a theoretical foundation to conceptualise International Business Diplomacy (IBD). Despite numerous success stories, there is little awareness of how IBD may assist Managers of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs), specifically in some crucial sectors. One of those sectors is the mining industry. This paper proposes enhancing IBD as a valuable area for providing value to MNEs in their relationships with different stakeholders, emphasising sustainability issues. After a brief review of the literature, we propose a working definition for international business diplomacy. Then, we describe the mining industry and the factors that create a need for private diplomatic intervention. Afterward, we move the discussion to Latin America, presenting the methodology and findings of our investigation. The final remarks share some findings that may help managers of MNEs operating in emerging markets. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 81-96 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: diplomacy; international business; Latin America; mining; MNEs; negotiations; sustainability. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125225 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:1:p:81-96 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rodolfo Maria Salvi Author-X-Name-First: Rodolfo Maria Author-X-Name-Last: Salvi Author-Name: Huub J.M. Ruël Author-X-Name-First: Huub J.M. Author-X-Name-Last: Ruël Title: Corporate diplomacy and sustainable internationalisation: a conceptual and empirical exploration Abstract: This paper analyses how internationalising companies can instrumentalise sustainability principles within diplomatic strategies to identify, prioritise and manage holistically and in a sustainable way stakeholders' pressures. The research is conducted through a multi-perspective and interdisciplinary literature review, whose deductions are evaluated on a case study analysis based on the Enel S.p.A. internationalisation process in Chile. Corporate diplomacy offers a systemic approach to handle external pressures by engaging stakeholders, managing networks and detecting socio-economics dynamics. Complementary, corporate sustainability proposes a framework to manage and prioritise external pressures, collecting and analysing the nature of social expectations via replicable methods and international-recognised standards. The findings indicate that sustainable principles positively integrated within corporate diplomatic strategies produce direct, tangible and sustainable effects during the internationalisation process, for the company and its stakeholders. The outcomes are measured using key indicators, such as sustainable performances, value creation, financial profit, co-creational partnerships and corporate local reputation. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 41-64 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: corporate diplomacy; business diplomacy; sustainable internationalisation; sustainability; business internationalisation; Enel S.p.A.; stakeholder theory; network managing; stakeholder engagement. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125229 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:1:p:41-64 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rajmund Kiss Author-X-Name-First: Rajmund Author-X-Name-Last: Kiss Author-Name: Huub J.M. Ruël Author-X-Name-First: Huub J.M. Author-X-Name-Last: Ruël Title: International negotiations in a hybrid diplomatic arena: new actors, new tools - a practitioners' contribution Abstract: The diplomatic arena has become hybrid arena with actors of a diverse set of backgrounds: next to the traditional diplomats there are international business representatives, representatives of international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations and local communications. They have all been accepted and given access to the diplomatic arena since in the current global governance arena, governments need these new actors in order to deal with global challenges. Negotiation competences are key for diplomats, representatives of businesses, NGOs, civil society organisations or governments alike, to get things done' in the global diplomatic arena. This is not new and the literature on negotiations is vast. However, much of the literature is derived from or based on theory, or lacks an empirical basis to demonstrate that the negotiation tools as proposed actually work. In this paper, we introduce three negotiation tools that are built on extensive experience in international diplomatic negotiations, build on practice. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 97-107 Issue: 1 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: international negotiations; business diplomacy; commercial diplomacy; diplomacy practice. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125230 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:1:p:97-107 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Golnoosh Darvish Author-X-Name-First: Golnoosh Author-X-Name-Last: Darvish Author-Name: Behzad Malekpourasl Author-X-Name-First: Behzad Author-X-Name-Last: Malekpourasl Author-Name: Morteza Ghourchi Author-X-Name-First: Morteza Author-X-Name-Last: Ghourchi Title: City diplomacy and its requirements for Tehran membership in international organisations (with emphasis on C40 organisation) Abstract: City diplomacy is part of public diplomacy of countries. In the contemporary world, political leaders are no longer able to deal with the increasing global challenges. Hence, one way to solve the global problems is to think of measures for cities to enter global networks and international organisations with the help of policy-making processes to enter the city diplomacy arena, which leads to the cooperation of different cities to solve global concerns such as climate change in the C40 organisation. Thus, the current applied research investigates the challenges and shortcomings of city diplomacy in Tehran and also examines the requirements of Tehran membership in the C40 organisation by employing a qualitative method using interviews with experts and qualitative content analysis of interviews using MAXQDA software. Finally, it provides strategies for strengthening Tehran city diplomacy as well as strategies for its membership in the C40 organisation regarding the experts' opinions. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 113-132 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: city diplomacy; C40 organisation; globalisation; greenhouse gases. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127025 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:2:p:113-132 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ceyhun Mahmudlu Author-X-Name-First: Ceyhun Author-X-Name-Last: Mahmudlu Author-Name: Sang Yoon Shin Author-X-Name-First: Sang Yoon Author-X-Name-Last: Shin Title: Strategic cooperation of Iran at the regional level: enduring the US sanctions and reviving the oil and gas industry Abstract: Iran intends to alleviate the damage caused by the hostile relationship with the USA. As one way of the efforts, this research focuses on Iran's oil and gas cooperation with neighbouring countries, specifically those in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The analysis draws three conclusions depending on the theoretical framework of energy geopolitics. First, the efforts of Iran to overcome the situation have not been successful, combined with low oil prices by 2020. Second, Iran emphasises transportation as well as trade in its oil and gas cooperation with neighbouring countries. Finally, regional cooperation will bring substantial benefits to Iran in both economic and geopolitical aspects, working as a platform for increasing its undervalued influence at the global level. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 190-208 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: Iran; oil and gas industry; regional cooperation; the Middle East; US sanctions. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127040 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:2:p:190-208 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Weijia Chen Author-X-Name-First: Weijia Author-X-Name-Last: Chen Title: Rethinking city and diaspora as non-state actors of diplomacy: the role of Chinese diaspora in Wenzhou-Prato sister city relationship Abstract: City and diaspora are two non-state actors in international relations. China has one of the biggest diaspora communities in the world, yet the diplomatic implications of the diaspora at the inter-city level have been underestimated and understudied. Drawing on first-hand data collected from exploratory fieldwork in Prato, Italy, the present study sheds light on the Chinese diaspora's role in the Wenzhou-Prato city twinning. It argues that diasporas, as transnational citizens, have an indispensable role to play in enabling and materialising city twinning practices, but understanding the underlying motivations requires recognising the agency of diasporas themselves as non-state actors of diplomacy. The findings show that city diplomacy and diaspora diplomacy are both multidimensional and may be entangled with one another. While the diaspora can be an instrument of city diplomacy, the city can be a venue for potential diaspora diplomacy. This paper challenges a state-centric conception of diplomacy and shows the multi-faceted relationship between different non-state actors in diplomacy. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 169-189 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: overseas Chinese; Italy; city diplomacy; diaspora diplomacy; city twinning; paradiplomacy; diplomacy; non-state actors; globalisation; global governance. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127041 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:2:p:169-189 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michael Sommerhuber Author-X-Name-First: Michael Author-X-Name-Last: Sommerhuber Author-Name: Vito Bobek Author-X-Name-First: Vito Author-X-Name-Last: Bobek Author-Name: Rok Strašek Author-X-Name-First: Rok Author-X-Name-Last: Strašek Author-Name: Tatjana Horvat Author-X-Name-First: Tatjana Author-X-Name-Last: Horvat Title: Market potential of digital assets in developing countries: the case of Diem Abstract: Libra, announced in June of 2019 by Facebook and later rebranded to Diem, has not been released yet. This paper investigates Diem's possible effects on unbanked people and shows the most critical factors for targeting people without bank accounts. The report also elaborates on Diem's market potential. To further investigate the existing research gap, relevant literature is examined, and technical characteristics are given. In addition to that, eight experts from the areas 'cryptocurrencies', 'blockchain', 'fintech', and 'finance and banking' are interviewed on the topic. The paper finds that Diem can achieve broad adoption in emerging markets, increase financial inclusion and facilitate remittances. However, this can only be achieved if the current hurdles of the project are overcome. In particular, important is an agreement with regulators. The paper also estimates how much revenue this project could generate and what problems and risks could arise regarding negative interest rates and data protection. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 133-168 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: Libra; Diem; financial inclusion; remittances; cryptocurrencies. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127044 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:2:p:133-168 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Milan Jazbec Author-X-Name-First: Milan Author-X-Name-Last: Jazbec Title: Diplomacy and management: in a search of an intersection in the time of globalisation Abstract: This paper discusses the relation between diplomacy and management in the early 21st century. This is the period of postmodern diplomacy, in which diplomacy is continuing to grasp from other areas of human activity to upgrade its mission of managing relations between states (and other actors). We look at those aspects of management from which diplomacy can gain expertise, skill and approach. Hence, our interest lays in a possible contribution of management as a whole to diplomacy as we understand it nowadays. For this purpose, we point out the understanding of diplomacy as a diplomatic organisation and a social process. Since a direct consequence of globalisation on diplomacy is the constant rise of dynamics of its activities, scope of topics and number of actors, we stem from the preposition that diplomats cannot pursue their mission without implementing basic management skills. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 209-221 Issue: 2 Volume: 8 Year: 2022 Keywords: diplomacy; management; globalisation; diplomatic organisation; diplomatic environment; process; coordination. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=127046 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:8:y:2022:i:2:p:209-221