Effective governance of global innovation ecosystems is essential for the economic growth and resilience of countries and firms. Both global and local governance of technological innovation through global value chains (GVCs) can enhance firm performance and positively impact the environment. However, there is growing concern about the negative societal effects of firms operating across different ecosystems. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and their stakeholders are increasingly expected to consider their environmental resource usage and respect for biodiversity, given their widespread geographical presence. Research indicates that external pressures from policymakers, civil society, and new market entrants play a critical role in pushing firms toward sustainable practices. As a result, the core business challenge of delivering value to customers has become even more complex due to the mounting pressures around sustainability, including climate change and biodiversity preservation. New opportunities appear for business and policy makers, as new technological development can lead to sustainable industrial systems.

The rapid introduction of new technologies poses new questions to address about how technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, synthetic biology, help expand our understanding of firms’ management of innovation and the orchestration of complex GVCs across countries. We aim to better understand how new technologies, competition, and industrial dynamics may improve economic well-being; how digital innovations improve the development of industrial systems and help firms and policy makers to deal with the pressures posed by climate, environmental and societal sustainability. The advent of digital technologies has ushered in an era of unprecedented globalization, transforming the way we live, work, and interact. While the International Business (IB) literature has increasingly acknowledged the impact of digitalization, a comprehensive understanding of the transformative power of these new technologies remains imperative. Competitive advantage in the contemporary global economy is predicated on harnessing “data ubiquity,” the continuous collection, analysis, and leveraging of data in real-time. This process is facilitated by the interplay of three interconnected factors: Algorithms, Big Data, and Computing capability (ABC). The ABC model provides the foundation for understanding the realities of digital globalization. Data collected from billions of user interactions generates Big Data, which is analyzed using increasingly sophisticated algorithms. These algorithms can be implemented through continually advancing computing capabilities.

Competitive advantage in the contemporary global economy is increasingly tied to the ability to harness data ubiquity through the ABC model. The convergence of algorithms, Big Data, and computing capability has enabled the development of AI and ML, which are transforming industries and reshaping the global landscape. While the benefits of digital globalization are substantial, it is imperative to address the challenges and risks associated with this transformative force. A balanced approach that leverages the opportunities of digitalization while mitigating its risks is essential for ensuring a sustainable and equitable future.

The 2025 iBEGIN conference centers on the general impact of technology on operations, capabilities, and people. We aim to investigate new development models and processes capable of accelerating the transition towards industrial systems that are sustainable, inclusive and attentive to individual and collective well-being and on the new challenges that MNEs and countries face as they strive to balance resilience, and sustainability demands while managing global ecosystems.

iBEGIN 2025 will host a paper development workshop (PDW) for the Global Strategy Journal Special Issue Global Innovation in an Era of Disruptive Changes