Call for Review Articles for Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies

Full Paper Deadline: 30 June 2026

Rationale

The Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies (JABES) invites the submission of high-quality review articles that critically examine, integrate, and extend the frontiers of knowledge in contemporary Economics, Finance, and Business. In an era increasingly defined by "permacrisis" and unprecedented technological convergence, the traditional silos separating these disciplines are rapidly dissolving (Alshater et al., 2022; Kraus et al., 2022). The contemporary scholarly landscape requires a profound synthesis that moves beyond descriptive summaries toward a "Frontier Synthesis", one that reconciles macro-economic shifts with firm-level strategic reconfigurations and financial market dynamics.

In recent years, the acceleration of technological advancement, pervasive digitalization, and the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) have fundamentally reshaped the architecture of global markets and organizational practice. The intersection of digital transformation and institutional change has necessitated a re-evaluation of established theories regarding firm competitiveness, market efficiency, and consumer engagement. As Kraus et al. (2022) observed, digital transformation is not merely a technological shift but a strategic and institutional reconfiguration that alters how value is created and captured, necessitating a deeper understanding of how innovation, data-driven capabilities, and cultural adaptation interact within diverse economic systems.
 

Simultaneously, the integration of AI and advanced data analytics has accelerated new paradigms in business decision-making and financial intermediation. While organizations increasingly leverage AI to generate value through automation and predictive intelligence, empirical evidence remains fragmented across disciplines, regions, and methodological traditions (Enholm et al., 2022). Similar fragmentation has been documented in FinTech and digital finance research, where bibliometric evidence reveals rapidly expanding but weakly integrated research streams, calling for structured synthesis rather than further incremental case-based studies (Alshater et al., 2022).

Beyond digitalization, the broader transformation of global business systems raises critical questions concerning organizational resilience, ESG-driven sustainability, and human–machine interaction. The emergence of large language models (George et al., 2023) exemplifies how generative AI is reshaping stakeholder engagement and innovation across industries. These shifts demand critical reflection on ethical governance, responsible innovation, and socio-economic inclusiveness, particularly within Asian contexts where technology diffusion intersects with institutional diversity and developmental challenges. To address these complexities, JABES advocates for a hybrid methodological approach, combining Bibliometric Analysis for macroscopic knowledge mapping with Systematic Literature Reviews (SLR) for microscopic thematic synthesis (Alshater et al., 2022; Donthu et al., 2021)

To address these complexities, JABES explicitly advocates a hybrid review methodology, combining bibliometric analysis for macroscopic knowledge mapping with systematic literature review (SLR) for microscopic theoretical synthesis, following established best practices (Donthu et al., 2021; Alshater et al., 2022). In such designs, bibliometric techniques identify intellectual structures, thematic clusters, and research trajectories, while SLR enables theory refinement, mechanism identification, and agenda setting.
 

Accordingly, we seek scholarly syntheses that develop robust conceptual frameworks, identify critical research gaps, and propose forward-looking research agendas. JABES particularly encourages submissions that:
 

• Integrate cross-disciplinary perspectives bridging Economics, Finance, and Business;
• Incorporate Asian institutional and cultural contexts within global theoretical debates;
• Advance theoretical refinement of constructs such as digital agility, ethical AI, sustainable finance, and institutional resilience;
• Reflect critically on the evolution of review methodologies, including hybrid bibliometric–SLR designs.

Aligned with JABES’s mission, contributions must balance theoretical rigor with policy and managerial relevance, guiding both scholars and practitioners through the next decade of technological and economic convergence.

Scope and Focus Areas

The Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies (JABES) welcomes integrative, critical, and forward-looking review papers across the nexus of Economics, Finance, and Business. Submissions are expected to transcend descriptive summaries, connect fragmented research streams, and articulate theory-driven future research agendas. JABES particularly prioritizes reviews employing hybrid methodologies (bibliometric analysis combined with SLR) in the following thematic areas:

1. Digital Transformation, AI, and Market Dynamics 
   The acceleration of AI and digital transformation represents a strategic reconfiguration that redefines value creation at both the firm and market levels (Kraus et al., 2022; Enholm et al., 2022). We encourage reviews that integrate Management (AI-driven business models), Finance (FinTechization, algorithmic trading, and decentralized finance), and Economics (market structure shifts and productivity growth). Proposals may examine how generative AI and algorithmic decision-making influence firm innovation, financial stability, and public policy (George et al., 2023).

2. Institutional Resilience, Leadership, and Human Capital 
   The diffusion of intelligent technologies is reshaping the nature of work, leadership, and human resource management. We invite reviews addressing leadership effectiveness, organizational learning, and cultural agility within volatile global environments. Beyond management, we seek perspectives on Labor Economics (the impact of AI on human capital and wages) and Behavioral Finance (the psychological mechanisms of leadership trust in digital ecosystems). Studies should explore human–AI collaboration and the need for ethical leadership models that sustain trust within digitally transformed economies (Buhalis et al., 2023).

3. Sustainable Finance, ESG, and Circular Economics 
   Sustainability has become the defining lens for assessing long-term value creation. JABES encourages reviews that synthesize research on Corporate Finance (ESG-linked financing, green bonds), Management (CSR and green innovation), and Environmental Economics (circular economy models and climate risk). We particularly welcome studies incorporating Asian perspectives within global sustainability debates, exploring the nexus between environmental economics, climate risk (Chaudhry et al., 2020), and the role of digital finance in achieving SDGs (Alshater et al., 2022).

4. Tourism, Service Ecosystems, and Behavioral Economics 
   The post-pandemic era has prompted a paradigmatic shift in consumer behavior and service delivery. Recent advances in immersive technologies, such as the Metaverse, are transforming service ecosystems (Buhalis et al., 2023; Almeida et al., 2025). We invite reviews that bridge Marketing (experience design), Consumer Economics (decision-making under uncertainty), and Hospitality Management. Submissions should synthesize research on sustainable consumption, the Platform Economy, and the psychological mechanisms underlying new forms of hybrid consumption.

5. Interdisciplinary Frontiers: Technology, Ethics, and Society 
   We welcome cross-disciplinary reviews connecting business, technology, and socio-economic systems. Key areas include digital ethics, climate risk, and AI governance. New debates on the dark side of digitalization (Flavián et al., 2024) and metaverse interoperability (Yang et al., 2024) highlight the need for integrative perspectives. Reviews at this frontier are expected to develop multi-theoretical frameworks bridging Management Science, Financial Econometrics, and Sustainability Studies. Submissions should explore how digital ecosystems sustain trust and promote financial inclusion in post-pandemic economies (Aracil, 2019; Alshater et al., 2022), ultimately enhancing the quality of life (Ali et al., 2020)
    

Submission Process

To ensure all published work meets international excellence standards, every submission will undergo a thorough and rigorous review process. Please follow these guidelines to prepare your manuscript:

• Submission Format: We kindly ask authors to submit a Full Paper. To keep the content focused and concise, manuscripts should not exceed 7,500 words, including all tables, figures, and references.
• Formatting & Guidelines: Submissions must strictly follow JABES formatting and citation guidelines. Authors are expected to explicitly document their review methodology, for example through PRISMA flow diagrams and bibliometric mapping procedures, ensuring transparency and replicability.
• Submission System: All entries must be submitted through our official online management platform (ScholarOne System) via https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jabes
• Important Deadline: Please make sure your full manuscript is submitted no later than June 30, 2026. For queries about this Call for Papers, please contact the JABES Editorial Office: binhnq@ueh.edu.vn
• Publication Scheduling: The submissions are accepted on a rolling basis until the end of 2026, and will be published in the next appropriate issue based on their acceptance date, rather than consolidated into a dedicated issue. 

Evaluation Criteria

All proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Alignment with Scope: Consistency with JABES’s aims and scope.
• Novelty & Timeliness: The originality of the review topic and its relevance to current trends.
• Synthesis Depth: The quality of literature integration and the depth of critical synthesis.
• Impactful Contribution: Potential to advance theoretical and/or methodological development and/or inform managerial practice.
• Global Significance: Cross-disciplinary relevance and importance within a global context.
• Writing Excellence: Clarity of exposition and high-quality academic writing.