This first book published by UBI’s research team is co-authored by Dr. Maria Altamira with Professor Gaston Fornes and published by Palgrave, a top academic publisher. It examines the significant changes that digitalization brings to global business operations and growth strategies. Focusing on technology’s pervasive role and the new directions of globalization, the book outlines four missions: analysing the impact of digitalization and technology, including Artificial Intelligence, on business theories; identifying growth opportunities through technology; exploring challenges and opportunities from digital models and Artificial Intelligence; and predicting future growth trends. It’s intended for academics, practitioners, and policymakers interested in digital business and innovation.

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Dr Altamira’s book critically analyses how home institutional elements influence the design and development of Chinese firms’ capabilities at home, and questions if and how these capabilities are applicable in a different business environment. Reflecting on timely issues in today’s business environment in which China faces several challenges in domestic and international markets, she provides and in-depth understanding of Chinese firms’ business strategies, objectives and competitive advantages at home and abroad in different environments. By doing so, it deepens our understanding of the Chinese business landscape and its impact on the development of relevant capabilities. Dr Altamira presents a study based on a narrative inquiry strategy and a narrative analysis of Chinese managers’ perspectives and understanding of the capabilities from three different types of firms with international experience (State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), National Champions (NC), and Private Firms (PF)). This book is a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers, providing insights into the swift rise of Chinese multinationals both within and outside of China.

Congratulations once again to Dr Altamira for this tremendous accomplishment, bringing further accolades in academic excellence to her already impressive portfolio, and to our school!

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This article, a collaboration between Dr. Priem and a promising graduate from UBI, investigates the link between the ESG score and cost of capital among 600 companies across 17 countries in the EURO STOXX 600 Index. It assesses how ESG factors influence companies’ cost of capital, exploring which aspects—environmental, social, governance—have the most impact, and which components of the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) are affected. Additionally, it considers if a high ESG score can offset a weaker legal framework, contributing insights into sustainable development practices.

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This third article from Dr. Randy Priem explores how the European’s Union Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR) aims to reduce settlement fails by harmonizing securities settlement rules. It examines new regulations and guidelines intended to improve the reliability and efficiency of transactions across Europe, marking a significant step towards an integrated market. This analysis highlights the critical role of unified regulations in enhancing the safety and efficiency of Europe’s financial markets, addressing a longstanding issue of settlement delays.

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This JCR article by Professor Mendez was the second produced by the UBI research team. It is the publication with the highest impact factor that we have published to date. The journal is ranked number 1 out of 122 journals in business and finance. In the piece, the authors investigate the impact of sustainable practices of multinational banks (MNBs) in 16 developing countries on financial inclusion, based on a sample of 275 MNBs and 16,618 individuals. This piece demonstrates that the sustainability in banking increases the use of mobile banking, which is crucial for financial inclusion in the developing world.

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This JCR article by Professor Mendez was the first one for our UBI research team and has been cited 20 times so far, outlining the Belt and Road Initiative’s (BRI) ambition to connect continents for economic growth, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupts it. It identifies setbacks in infrastructure, trade disruptions, and opportunities for China in Ukraine’s reconstruction, presenting a nuanced view of challenges and prospects for the BRI amidst geopolitical tensions.

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