PROTECT2019: Whither protectionism? Advancing interdisciplinary perspectives in international economics and international business research. Leuven Centre for Irish Studies (LCIS), KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium, November 22, 2019 |
Conference website | https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/lcis |
Abstract registration deadline | September 15, 2019 |
Submission deadline | September 15, 2019 |
Call for Papers LCIS Conference
Whither protectionism? Advancing interdisciplinary perspectives in international economics and international business research.
Leuven, Friday November 22nd, 2019
This LCIS Conference on Protectionism wants to explore the many different ways in which we see protectionist reflexes increasing in different regions in the world, irrespective of whether it is in Europe, the US, China or Japan.
The conference aims to bring together high-quality research that is studying protectionism from an international trade and/or an international business perspective.
Nothing new under the sun?
Back in January 1981, when Ronald Reagan took office, pledging to get the government off the US people’s backs and out of the economy, 20 percent of America’s manufactured goods (by value) were de facto protected from international competition. Instead of outright tariffs, protection took the euphemistic forms of “voluntary” restraint agreements, orderly marketing agreements, and anti-dumping levies and countervailing duties.
More than three decades later, since 2015, world trade and investment flows stagnate again (Unctad, World Bank). Subsidiaries of Korean and Japanese MNEs in the US with major trade and investment interests are currently observed to be waiting and watching, as stated by Nancy McLernon, president and CEO of the Organization for International Investment in the US, which represents the US subsidiaries of global companies. In Europe as well lasting uncertainty leads to shifts in trade and investment activities by MNEs as the discussion about the conditions of a possible Brexit continues.
Some of the decline can be attributed to the rising of protectionism, though probably not all of it.
Based on integration of insights from international relations theories in location and relocation in the IB literature, both theory and empirical practice are trying to find explanations for antecedents and consequences of rising protectionism. It is, for instance, shown that political affinity between countries has an impact on acquisition premia in cross-border acquisitions (Bertrand, Betschinger, Settles, 2016). This raises some interesting research questions. Which types of political affinity has which type of influence on bilateral trade and investment relationships between countries/ trading blocks? To what an extent does the cancellation of further negotiations on TPP and TIPP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) influence location and re-location of subsidiaries of MNEs?
Possible conference paper topics include:
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Taste and trade patterns
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the use of gravity models in international trade and FDI
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the impact of foreign direct investment on growth: methodological issues
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regional strategies of MNEs as a response to protectionist measures
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consequences of regional strategies on company value chains, trade and investment
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the impact of institutional factors such as taxes and political affinity between countries on the choice of trade and investment partners
The conference/workshop is designed to connect researchers to like and different-minded peers from within their discipline, but also to create opportunities to look beyond disciplinary boundaries and stimulate interdisciplinary papers and papers which are relevant for Ireland in/and the EU.
This LCIS Conference with the theme ‘Wither protectionism’ is inviting researchers to hand in thought-provoking articles, might be work-in-process, in one of the two fields or passing boundaries between them.
Research questions may relate to theoretical, empirical and policy perspectives. Contributions may deal with questions such as: What are the drivers of protectionism? What are the effects of it? To which extent is protectionism affecting the value chains of companies in regions of the world to a different extent? What are the effects of protectionism on European trade and investment policy, specifically? What about the effect of protectionism on job creation? Is there a difference between effects on different European countries? What about the impact of different Brexit scenarios on intra- and inter-European production, trade and FDI?
Other intriguing research questions concern the differences and similarities between macro and a micro scale studies about the effect of trade and investment barriers. How can the various academic disciplines contribute to improved research and practices on trade and investment (barriers)?
We welcome papers that address these questions and topics by case studies, theoretical, empirical or historical explorations as well as in different literary traditions. A one-page outline of the paper (or a full paper) should be sent to the organizers at geert.vanmulders@kuleuven.be by the 15th of September 2019. This email address can also be used for any further inquiry about the workshop. Acceptances of workshop papers will be communicated by email by mid-October.
It is intended to publish the final versions of the workshop papers in a book form or a special journal issue.
All information about the conference will also be posted on the LCIS website/ part International Economics and International Business:
https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/lcis
and distributed through MSI and the Workgroup International Economics of FEB (Faculty of Economics and Business) at KU Leuven
The conference will take place in the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe, (http://www.leuveninstitute.eu/site/index.php), Irish College, Janseniusstraat 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium, tel. + 32 16 310 430).
Faculty:
International Trade: Prof. dr. Hylke Vandenbussche and dr. Bas van Aarle, KU Leuven, CES and LCIS
hylke.vandenbussche@kuleuven.be
International Business: Prof. dr. Arjen Slangen and Prof. dr. Annabel Sels, KU Leuven, MSI and LCIS
Participants are expected to make and cover their own travel and accommodation costs with the exception of the keynote speakers. The affiliate researchers of the LCIS are highly encouraged to present ongoing work as well.
One accommodation option: The Irish College manages a limited number of bedrooms at an attractive price, contact the reception for availability.