Prof. Gary Knight’s Visit to Strathmore University Business School: Strengthening Ties with the Academy of International Business

Strathmore University Business School (SBS) had the privilege of hosting Prof. Gary Knight, Fellow and President of the Academy of International Business (AIB), and Professor and Helen Jackson Chair in Global Management at Willamette University, USA. His visit, which took place earlier this week, fostered insightful discussions on international business research, academia, and strengthening collaborations between AIB and African universities.

Prof. Knight met with Dr. Caesar Mwangi, Executive Dean of SBS, who toured the university, and engaged with faculty members in a dynamic discussion about AIB’s role in shaping global business education. Founded in 1959, AIB boasts over 3,500 members across 13 chapters worldwide. The organization promotes knowledge development in international business through its six Shared Interest Groups (SIGs): Digitalization, Emerging Markets, Research Methods, Sustainability, Teaching & Education, and Women in AIB. AIB also facilitates annual and chapter conferences, bringing together leading scholars to exchange ideas and collaborate.

Key Faculty Engagements and Discussions

During the session, faculty members from SBS posed pertinent questions on collaboration, research opportunities, and AIB’s impact on global business scholarship.

Dr. Wilson Wasike, Faculty Director at SBS, sought insights on expanding the pool of examiners and supervisors within the university’s academic panel through AIB’s Africa Task Force Chapter. Prof. Knight affirmed AIB’s commitment to supporting African universities by providing access to a broad network of academicians. He also reassured faculty members that while a special journal issue had a submission deadline of December 15, 2025, faculty could still submit papers for regular issues, with no submission fees attached.

Ms. Rosemary Orlale, Director of the Africa Media Hub at SBS, raised questions on AIB’s global commitment, gender diversity, and representation of African women in international business case studies. Prof. Knight highlighted the Women in AIB SIG, which connects female scholars worldwide. He also encouraged submissions of short case studies in AIB Insight papers (2,500 words), emphasizing the importance of increasing African representation. Ms. Orlale was invited to follow up with Prof. Knight for further collaboration.

Strengthening Global Partnerships

Tom Kimani, Research Manager at SBS, inquired about AIB’s partnerships with organizations such as UNCTAD, the UN, and the World Bank. Prof. Knight acknowledged AIB’s growing collaboration with UNCTAD and reiterated that AIB is focused on academic and research partnerships rather than operational NGO activities.

Dr. Mary Omingo, Senior Lecturer at SBS, explored AIB’s initiatives in teaching and education. Prof. Knight detailed the organization’s achievements in international scholarship and events dedicated to pedagogy, including webinars, workshops, and online panel discussions, primarily funded through membership fees.

The Role of African Scholarship in AIB

Prof. Lilac Nachum encouraged SBS faculty to join AIB, noting that a membership fee of $5,000 grants full access to the Journal of International Business Studies and AIB Insights. Dr. Wilson Wasike further asked about the connection between AIB’s shared interest groups and editorial policies in academic journals. Prof. Knight clarified that while anyone could initiate an interest group, official approval from the AIB board was required.

Eugene Ochieng, a recent Strathmore graduate, asked how undergraduate students could engage with AIB despite not having studied international business. Prof. Knight emphasized that international business spans multiple disciplines, including marketing, finance, public policy, and behavioral science. He outlined three core responsibilities of faculty in advancing the field:

1. Creating knowledge through research.
2. Disseminating knowledge through teaching.
3. Maintaining knowledge through academic writing.

AIB and Africa

A key takeaway from the visit was the need to expand AIB’s presence in Africa. Currently underrepresented in AIB, Africa has much to contribute to global business scholarship. Dr. Patricia Gachambi, Senior Lecturer at SBS, urged AIB to avoid imposing foreign models on Africa and instead focus on fostering internationalization from an African perspective. She emphasized the importance of increasing awareness about AIB’s activities in Africa to enhance membership and participation.

Prof. Knight’s visit underscored the significant role that African scholars and institutions can play in shaping international business research. The discussions provided valuable insights into how SBS faculty and students can leverage AIB’s network to enhance academic excellence and drive impactful research. As AIB seeks to deepen its engagement in Africa, Strathmore University Business School stands ready to be a key partner in advancing global business education from an African standpoint.