Asia Pacific Business Review

Against the backdrop of a rapid transition from globalization to de-globalization (or “slowbalization”), Asia Pacific Business Review invites papers that explore the evolving dynamics of global supply chains amid US-China tensions and other geopolitical shifts. Since 2020, supply chains have faced unparalleled challenges, including disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to shifts towards regional networks and self-reliance strategies (Barbieri et al., 2020; Free and Hecimovic, 2021; Choi et al., 2022). Technological advancements and digital transformation are reshaping supply chain operations and innovation activities in both home and host countries, necessitating an in-depth understanding of these trends (Ryoo, 2017; Wu and Ang, 2020; Dixit et al., 2024). This special issue will examine the strategic responses of East Asia, such as China, Japan, and Korea, to these new environmental changes with a broad implications for the Asia Pacific.

Recent scholarly attention has intensified on global supply chains due to the rapidly expanding Chinese domain of its own globalized supply chain network (Rowley and Oh, 2020), the subsequent decoupling with China and the impacts of escalating geopolitical tensions, such as the US-China trade conflict, after the COVID-19 pandemic (Craighead et al., 2020; Golan et al., 2020; Baz and Ruel, 2021; Bonadio et al., 2021; Butt, 2021; Do et al., 2021; Ivanov, 202; Aljuneidi et al., 2023). This research underscores the need for agile and resilient supply chain designs (Ardito et al., 2019; Dubey, 2023; Rana and Ha-Brookshire, 2023), incorporating technological advancements like AI, blockchain and IoT (Acioli et al., 2021). Sustainability and the integration of ESG principles are also emerging as vital aspects (Dai and Tang, 2022; Alkaraan et al., 2023; Truant et al., 2024). Regionally, Asian countries play a pivotal role in adapting to these shifts, suggesting future research trajectories that consider climate change, regional trade agreements (Free and Hecimovic, 2020; Panwar et al., 2022) and the role of emerging economies in the evolving supply chain landscape (Chowdhury et al., 2021; Dohale et al., 2021; Aljuneidi et al., 2023). Despite the rich insights gleaned from recent studies, nuanced and complex aspects of global supply chain management remain underexplored, especially in the face of challenges posed by the pandemic, evolving geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological advancements.

Recognizing these challenges and the dynamic nature of global supply chains, we invite comprehensive and innovative research contributions that further examine these critical areas. We are looking for papers that explore a range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Long-term geopolitical shifts and their impact on supply chain disruptions.
• Firm-level innovation in response to supply chain challenges.
• Digital transformation and technology adoption in supply chains.
• Sustainability and ESG initiatives in global supply chain management.
• Regional responses to global supply chain challenges.

This initiative is crucial for navigating the complexities of today’s global economic landscape, aiming to develop more resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chains in the dynamic Asia Pacific region. It presents an opportunity for scholars, industry experts, and practitioners to contribute to vital academic discourse.

We welcome original research from various theoretical perspectives and empirical methodologies. Submissions must contribute to existing knowledge and debates on these topics. Manuscripts should be formatted in accordance with the APBR publication guidelines and all required content and structure. For more details, please visit our website.

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