The state of international management research in South African management journals

Abstract

ORIENTATION : It is considered important to take stock periodically of the present channels available for communication of scholarly discourse and research, something that has not been done in international management in South Africa. RESEARCH PURPOSE : This study aimed to not only identify the gaps in South African international management research, but also to serve as a source of international management research with a South African focus in order to aid future South African international management research. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : As South African business become more global and international management plays a more central role in business practice, the importance and relevance of international management increases, thus necessitating a greater research focus on international management. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD : A content analysis was conducted on the 1313 articles published in the seven South African management journals between 2004 and 2013. MAIN FINDINGS : Not only is a mere 2.7% of all articles published in the seven South African management journals between 2004 and 2013 focused on international management, but there was also a decline in the number of international management articles published. CONTRIBUTIONS / VALUE-ADD : This study will not only help to identify the gaps in international management research in South Africa, but will also serve as a source of South African international management research for future researchers and academics.