We propose the annual ACEi innovative session to provide an outlet for early-stage research. ACEi will work IABS Conference Chair Abel Diaz Gonzalez to identify early-stage papers for this session. The session will likely have 9-12 early-stage ideas or “papers” included in it. The early-stage ideas will be arranged into small groups of 2-3 based on similarities among them such as research topic/issue, theory being considered, research design and so on. The session organizers will solicit the help of some “expert” or experienced IABS members and assign one per group; this “expert” will be in charge of contributing to the ideas’ development and ensuring that each ACEi participant leaves the session with several concrete suggestions for moving the idea forward. The session organizers, “expert” and author(s) in each subgroup will read and provide feedback on the abstracts in their subgroup prior to the session, allowing the author(s) to then interact related to the feedback, for example, building on and extending their ideas with the help of the subgroup.

This thesis explores a crucial subject in a region marked by exceptional linguistic and cultural diversity, the Katangese Copperbelt (ACK) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This region, rich in natural resources, presents a plurality of languages and cultures, offering both opportunities and challenges for local entrepreneurs. Multilingualism, by facilitating communication with a diverse clientele and enabling a better understanding of cultural nuances, can become a major asset for these entrepreneurs. As Baker (2011) explains, mastering several languages not only helps overcome linguistic barriers but also allows for the adaptation of business strategies to local specifics. Maclean (2006) further emphasizes that multinational companies adopting multilingual approaches are more successful in overcoming linguistic and cultural challenges, which is essential in a context as complex as the ACK.

The study pursues three main objectives: first, to explore how multilingualism can help overcome communication and management obstacles in this mining context; second, to analyze the opportunities that multilingualism offers entrepreneurs to access new markets; and finally, to evaluate how multilingualism can improve the competitiveness of entrepreneurs. These objectives aim to better understand the strategic role of multilingualism in entrepreneurship within the ACK and to identify ways to maximize its impact.

To achieve this, the methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with local entrepreneurs to gather data on their linguistic experiences, and a statistical analysis of economic data will be carried out to assess the impact of multilingualism on business performance. The works of Grosjean (2018) and Baker (2011) will serve as a theoretical framework to reinforce the analysis.

The expected results should show that multilingual entrepreneurs have a significant competitive advantage in the ACK, thanks to their ability to communicate effectively with a diverse clientele and to penetrate international markets. However, challenges persist, particularly in terms of language training and managing cultural differences (Maclean, 2006). The research suggests that language support policies could benefit entrepreneurs and promote multilingualism as a strategic asset for the economic development of the Katanga copperbelt area.

This paper identifies ways business can be redesigned to integrate remote communities, expanding "remote" beyond geography to include social, cultural, technological, economic, political, and psychological dimensions. It highlights how social, cultural, and technological remoteness often stems from marginalisation and the digital divide, while economic and political remoteness involves exclusion from mainstream activities and governance. Psychological remoteness reflects emotional isolation. Despite the crucial role of remote communities in preserving culture, contributing to biodiversity, and driving local economies, institutional efforts frequently fail due to governmental weaknesses, misaligned international interventions, and overlooked informal networks. In this paper, we argue that meaningful and effective support for remote communities demands a fundamental transformation of the institutional environment. All stakeholders—including international bodies, governments, economic institutions, informal networks, and the third sector—must work together to establish an accessible, context-sensitive framework capable of overcoming barriers. This collaboration, though often ad hoc and situational, proves to be both relevant and supportive.

Regulatory instruments and institutions play a crucial role in shaping the behavior of actors within global value chains (GVCs) towards sustainable business practices. However, unlike the Global North, the regulatory frameworks and institutions governing business practices in the Global South, particularly in Africa, are often very lax. This lack of robust regulation is frequently cited as a reason why multinational enterprises (MNEs) are increasingly relocating their manufacturing operations to the Global South. In Africa, the absence of effective regulatory frameworks and institutions to govern MNEs’ conduct within GVCs is particularly noticeable. Currently, there is no normative or institutional framework at the African Union level to regulate MNE activities (Ekhator, 2018). As newcomers to GVCs, many African countries are reluctant to discourage foreign direct investment (FDI) by implementing stringent regulatory norms for MNEs, viewing such flexibility as a competitive advantage (Tegegne H. G. 2024). Furthermore, local regulations often lack a comprehensive understanding of sustainable business practices, leading to significant challenges in achieving environmental, social, and economic sustainability (Ekhator, 2018).

A substantial shift in global business trends has occurred, with sustainability being a key concern. Business operations are becoming more and more entwined with social fairness and sustainable development issues, suggesting firms and companies need to focus on goals beyond profit (Porter & Kramer, 2011). This transformation reflects a growing recognition that sustainable practices can lead to long-term competitive advantages and positively impact society. The global community has also demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through initiatives such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), introduced in 2015 (United Nations, 2015). Significant changes have been observed in the extension of commitments, particularly in the regulation of global trade and GVCs, at both global and regional levels (Poletti et al., 2021). One of the notable regional economic zones making strides in this area is the European Union (EU). The EU has established various institutions and regulatory frameworks that govern trade and GVCs, impacting producers, suppliers, and consumers not only in Europe but also beyond (Bilal & Jeske van Seters, 2015). Given the interdependence of the world economy and the fact that many producers seek markets in Europe, these standards affect business, sustainability, and financial outcomes that extend beyond the Global North.

Thus, using a number of MNEs as case studies, this study intends to investigate how EU regulatory frameworks affect the sustainability practices of MNEs operating in Africa and offer insights into how successful these frameworks are in fostering sustainability. The study will look into how EU rules are applied in African contexts, with a focus on how they affect MNEs' GVC activities, how they react to EU requirements, what resources and tools they use, and the difficulties they have in becoming compliant. Additionally, the study will assess how these policies affect MNEs' sustainability strategies, specifically how they incorporate or reinterpret governance, social, and environmental principles. Additionally, it will examine how local actors—such as government agencies and civil society organizations—responded, paying particular attention to their worries and plans for mitigating them. Lastly, the study will evaluate these regulations' broader socioeconomic effects on African economies, including how they affect trade relations within GVCs, employment creation, and production capacities.

International social enterprises (ISEs) are uniquely positioned to address critical social and environmental challenges in developing countries while simultaneously generating financial value. Achieving these dual objectives requires an approach that integrates ISEs’ commercial goals with their commitment to creating positive social impact. This paper draws on insights from both entrepreneurship and international-development perspectives to apply the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness—ownership, alignment, harmonization, management for results, and mutual accountability—to entrepreneurial strategies for ISEs. Using illustrative cases from existing ISEs, this study highlights the practical challenges and opportunities ISEs face in building business models that balance profitability with sustainability while contributing to broader development goals. We also explore how entrepreneurship-related theories and frameworks, such as design thinking, lean startup methodology, and social impact measurement, can be applied to operationalize these principles. These findings offer new avenues for research on how ISEs can effectively drive sustainable social, environmental, and financial outcomes.

Family firms (FFs) are the predominant ownership model around the world. Given their deep-rooted connection with their communities, they are not only motivated to create and preserve wealth for their families but they are also uniquely positioned to internalize social issues around them (Laguir et al., 2016). The relevance of this becomes even more pronounced in emerging markets characterized by weak institutions, underdeveloped infrasructure and a complex tapestry of social issues. In this complex context, social innovation become a powerful tool to address such challenges. To foster social innovation, a siloed approach is insufficient (Mulgan et al., 2007; Phillips et al., 2015). It requires examining how diverse actors across organizational, sectoral and institutional boundaries interact and orchestrate resources to fuel innovative activities (Phills et al., 2008).

This leads us to the question: "How and why do family firms contribute to social innovation in emerging markets?" We aim to answer this through a systematic literature review (Tranfield et al., 2003). The literature review aims to aid our understanding of the mechanisms in which business ownership (e.g. family firms) contribute to social innovation processes. We hope to contribute to consolidating existing knowledge in the intersection of family firms and social innovation by borrowing insights from entrepreneurship, family firms and social innovation litearture.