21867: Embracing Methodological Variety in the Study of Relations between MNEs and Startups

The study of relations between multinational enterprises (MNEs) and startups has garnered significant attention in recent years, reflecting the growing importance of these partnerships in driving innovation and strategic renewal. As the prevalence of MNE-startup collaborations increases, so does the diversity of scholarly approaches to studying them. Researchers have employed a variety of methodologies, including analyses of secondary data, proprietary internal company data, surveys, and qualitative approaches such as interviews and case studies. Each of these methods offers unique insights but also presents distinct limitations. This professional development workshop seeks to explore the potential of methodological diversity to enrich research on MNE-startup relations. We believe that cross-methodological learning can strengthen research by uncovering complementary perspectives and enabling scholars to address broader and more complex questions. For instance, combining quantitative and qualitative methods can provide both generalizable patterns and nuanced, contextual insights. Similarly, leveraging methodologies unfamiliar to a researcher’s primary expertise may illuminate novel dimensions of the phenomenon under study. The workshop aims to bring together scholars who share a common interest in MNE-startup relations but employ varied methodological approaches. Through facilitated discussions and interactive sessions, participants will exchange insights, identify complementarities between methodologies, and explore how integrating different approaches can advance the field. This workshop offers a platform for collaboration, fostering methodological innovation and strengthening the collective understanding of this increasingly vital research domain.

Pre-registration is required to participate. Those interested should send a CV and a 1-paragraph description of their specific interest and methodological expertise to benoit.decreton@novasbe.pt and felipe.monteiro@insead.edu latest by July 10th, 2025.