This podcast argues that International Business (IB) education must evolve beyond traditional classroom theories to address the wicked problems of the 21st century, such as climate change and global inequality. The authors propose an integrated pedagogical framework that combines experiential learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a focus on societal impact to prepare students for a fragmented global landscape. Ultimately, the study suggests that by bridging the gap between academic research and real-world practice, IB programs can empower future leaders to drive sustainable value creation rather than just corporate profit.

Citation: Avendano, J., Usta, H., & Kundu, S. K. (2026). Enhancing International Business Education Through Faculty Development in International Business Programs. AIB Insights. https:/​/​doi.org/​10.46697/​001c.155724.

This study examines how the mandatory disclosure of the CEO-to-employee pay ratio affects corporate behavior, specifically finding that firms with high ratios often face negative reactions from consumers and employees. Rather than significantly lowering executive pay, many companies respond to these transparency requirements by subtly adjusting their workforce or outsourcing low-wage roles to improve their reported numbers. Ultimately, while intended to curb inequality, the authors argue that without broader institutional pressure, these disclosures may lead to strategic window-dressing rather than a fundamental shift in how wealth is distributed within global corporations.

Citation: Jiang, K., Jia, Y., Tsui, A.S., & Yu, J. (2026). CEO-to-employee pay ratios, societal-level income inequality, and citizens’ subjective well-being. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-026-00841-2

French and EU policies promoting a circular economy have prompted multinational textile lead firms to integrate minor, compliance-driven adaptations into their existing linear models, though these changes rarely alter the geography of their global production networks. In contrast, "born-circular" firms embed sustainability at their core and attempt to build regional supply chains, yet they remain limited in scale due to significant technical and commercial constraints. To bridge these operational gaps, a new ecosystem of "middle-of-the-chain" intermediaries has emerged to facilitate recycling, repair, and the transition toward more localized, inter-sectoral value chains.

Citation: Curran, L., & Joltreau, T. (2026). The impact of circular economy policies on business models within global value chains: a study of the French textile industry. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00238-2