“Emerging Topics and Methodologies Investigating Networks and Business Relationships from an IMP Perspective”

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “Emerging Topics and Methodologies Investigating Networks and Business Relationships from an IMP Perspective”

Journal: Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Submission deadline: 30 April 2026

Overview

The Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) perspective is uniquely suited to analyze the complex, turbulent environments characterizing today’s business landscape. As global disruptions—ranging from health crises and geopolitical conflicts to rapid digital transformation—redefine business networks, this special issue seeks to expand the application of the IMP approach. The editors invite research that addresses contemporary "grand challenges" while encouraging the adoption of innovative methodological tools, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), and computer-based simulations.

Key Research Themes

• Complex Societal Challenges: Investigating sustainability transitions, supply chain resilience, and disaster relief through an inter-organizational IMP lens.

• AI in Business Relationships: Analyzing the role of AI-based agents in B2B networks and how machine learning tools transform interaction patterns.

• Emerging Business Models: Exploring network-level perspectives on circular, sharing, and modern B2B business models.

• Multi-Level Analysis: Applying IMP concepts beyond the firm or dyadic level to include institutional, macro, or individual levels (e.g., in entrepreneurship research).

• Methodological Innovation: Demonstrating the practical application of AI, LLMs, computer-based simulations, and action research to address inter-organizational issues.

Submission Details

• Submission window: Open now – 30 April 2026.

• Submission portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jbim

• Special Instructions: Select the special issue title from the dropdown menu during the submission process.

Guest Editors

• Lisa Govik, Chalmers University, Sweden (lisa.govik@chalmers.se)

• Enrico Baraldi, Uppsala University, Sweden (enrico.baraldi@fek.uu.se)

• Frans Prenkert, Örebro University, Sweden (frans.prenkert@oru.se)

• Andrea Perna, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy (a.perna@univpm.it)

• Simone Guercini, University of Florence, Italy (simone.guercini@unifi.it)

Why This Issue Matters

As businesses transition to circular models and integrate AI into their core operations, the IMP framework provides a vital, systemic lens for understanding the resulting adaptations in resource coordination and collaboration. This special issue offers a platform for scholars to bridge traditional industrial network theory with modern data-driven methodologies, ensuring the IMP community remains at the forefront of management research.

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