Nationalism—a powerful force promoting the interests of individual nations—has resurged in recent years, influencing geopolitical landscapes and corporate behavior. From protectionist policies and immigration restrictions to organizational strategies and global market dynamics, nationalism has profound business implications. Under this backdrop, firms increasingly embrace nationalist ideologies, a phenomenon we call corporate nationalism. While organizational and strategy research fields have examined nationalism from multiple perspectives, current research remains fragmented and lacks an integrated understanding to illuminate this phenomenon fully. Drawing insights from six subject experts, this PDW seeks to bridge these gaps by exploring key questions about the conceptual foundations, varied manifestations, underlying processes, and consequences of corporate nationalism. We will also explore data sources and methodologies to strengthen this emerging paradigm. Through interactive discussions and collaborative sessions, participants will gain fresh perspectives, research tools, and practical guidance to navigate the complexities of corporate nationalism—ultimately advancing their own work in this evolving and vibrant area of inquiry.
This symposium features four papers presentations and a discussion on the topic of nationalism and organizational strategy. Collectively, these papers argue that nationalism can create both uncertainties for organizations and opportunities for managers to bolster the meaning of their products and the purpose of their organizations. Empirically, these papers adopt a variety of methodology, including the machine-learning based text analysis, the difference-in-difference analysis, and the in-depth case analysis. These papers are also featured by the diversity of national contexts and study how nationalism affects organizations in the world's major economic powerhouses, including US, China, Japan, and Europe.
This symposium aims to highlight cutting-edge research on nationalism within the fields of organizational theory, strategy, and international business. We will explore a range of topics including civic, economic, and techno-nationalism, nationalist movement, and organizational outcomes. By bringing together the latest theoretical frameworks and analytical methodologies, this symposium seeks to inspire further studies on this increasingly important subject.