The Conference on Outward Investment from Emerging Economies (OFDI) has been gathering leading thinkers and managers to converse on multinationals from emerging markets since it was initiated at Copenhagen Business School in 2008. In 2025, the conference will be held outside Denmark for the first time and hosted at the HTW Berlin in Berlin, Germany. It is organized by a consortium of universities: German International University in Cairo, HTW Berlin, Technical University of Denmark, and Northeastern University. 

The 2025 OFDI Conference welcomes submissions on all topics related to outward investment from emerging economies, with a special emphasis on the core conference themes of green transition, corporate environmental responsibility, and digital technologies.

This conference provides a dynamic platform to connect senior and junior scholars, doctoral students, practitioners, and policymakers in the fields of international business, business and sustainability, strategic management, international political economy, cross-cultural management, technology strategy, and global entrepreneurship. Participants with a shared interest in global strategy, sustainability, and the unique challenges and opportunities facing emerging economies and emerging market multinationals are especially encouraged to join.

This year’s conference focuses on two pivotal themes: Green Transition and Corporate Environmental Responsibility, which are essential for businesses seeking to align with the global push toward sustainability. As climate change and environmental degradation continue to escalate, businesses must urgently address their environmental footprint while managing the shift to greener practices. This requires a coordinated approach that integrates sustainability strategies with the transformation of production systems, supply chains, and business models, all while addressing the need for digitalization in the green transition.

The green transition and corporate environmental responsibility are now central to the business agenda. As companies worldwide are facing heightened scrutiny on environmental performance, those that lead in transitioning to greener practices stand to benefit from both reputational gains and enhanced operational efficiency. In emerging economies, where the regulatory landscape can often be fragmented or weak, multinational corporations have a unique opportunity to shape the green transition by introducing innovative sustainability practices. Integrating corporate environmental responsibility strategies with digital technologies will be key to achieving long-term sustainability goals and fostering a more resilient global economy.

This conference will provide a platform for discussing the challenges, strategies, and opportunities for FDI in the green transition. It will also highlight the role of digital innovation as a critical enabler for accelerating sustainable practices across industries.

We invite submissions that examine how firms can strategically navigate the green transition, manage corporate environmental responsibility, and leverage digital innovations to drive both sustainability and business performance. The following topics reflect the core themes of the conference:

1. Strategic Responses to Environmental Challenges and the Green Transition: We invite papers that examine how multinational corporations navigate the complexities of the green transition, focusing on the strategic choices made in response to both challenges and opportunities. How can firms effectively reorient their operations toward sustainable practices while contending with the constraints of weak regulatory frameworks and inconsistent environmental policies in emerging markets? We are particularly interested in research that explores strategies for balancing economic growth with sustainability imperatives, especially in sectors with significant environmental impacts, such as energy, mining, and manufacturing.
2. Corporate Environmental Responsibility and Overcoming Institutional Voids: This theme explores how businesses integrate Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) into their operations to address environmental challenges in contexts of weak governance and institutional voids. We seek contributions examining strategies such as circumventing institutional voids through adaptation or external standards, coping by building internal systems or strengthening local institutions, and compensating via targeted initiatives, broader sustainability efforts, or symbolic actions. Submissions showcasing innovative CER practices that demonstrate leadership in sustainability across both developed and emerging markets are especially encouraged.
3. Digital Technologies as Accelerators of the Green Transition and corporate environmental responsibility: Digital innovations are transforming how firms approach the green transition and implement CER strategies. We seek research that investigates the use of cutting-edge digital tools such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, and big data analytics in driving sustainability efforts. How are these technologies being utilized to enhance resource efficiency, streamline sustainable supply chains, and improve the transparency and accountability of environmental reporting? We are interested in studies that showcase the practical applications of digital solutions in measuring, reducing, and communicating firms’ environmental impacts.
4. Emerging Market Multinationals and Leadership in the Green Transition: This theme examines the unique role of emerging market multinationals in advancing the green transition on a global scale. What strategic approaches are emerging market multinationals employing to integrate corporate environmental responsibility into their business practices and lead in sustainability initiatives? We encourage submissions that explore how these firms leverage their emerging market embeddedness and adapt their strategies to address environmental challenges effectively. 

The organizing committee is preparing a special issue on Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategies, focusing on how multinationals address environmental challenges in weak governance contexts. The issue will explore strategies aimed at mitigating the negative environmental externalities of their operations, particularly in emerging markets.

We invite scholars from all disciplines working on these topics to submit to the conference and especially encourage the submission of work by scholars residing in emerging economies. We welcome submissions of papers that do not exceed 40 pages, all inclusive, with double-spaced text following Academy of Management Journal guidelines.

Please submit your paper to: Yzabellune.Run-Grueger@HTW-Berlin.de.

The registration fee is differentiated according to country of employment and seniority:

• High-income country (World Bank category):
  • Regular, EUR 300
  • PhD student, EUR 150
• Middle- or low-income country:
  • Regular, EUR 200
  • PhD student, EUR 100

At least one author of each accepted paper must register to ensure its inclusion in the program. Papers without a registered author will be removed from the schedule.

• Paper submission deadline: July 1, 2025
• Notification of acceptance: July 15, 2025
• Registration opens: July 15, 2025
• Registration deadline: September 30, 2025
• Conference dates: October 23-24, 2025