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General Statement
IFAMR’s Case Study Library supports educators worldwide by bridging academic theory and managerial practice through decision-focused teaching cases. China is no longer only a destination market; it is also a source of global capital, a hub for digital supply chain innovation, and a testing ground for multinational localization. At the same time, educators often lack updated cases reflecting post-pandemic realities, including the growth of Chinese digital ecosystems and the implications of shifting geopolitical and trade dynamics.
This special teaching case subsection will curate high-quality pedagogical cases on emerging complexities in cross-border agribusiness involving China. Modeled on IFAMR’s standard “Call for Teaching Cases,” this subsection seeks to provide current and future agribusiness leaders with actionable insights into the evolving China–global agribusiness interface.
Areas of Focus
We invite submissions related to, but not limited to, the following themes:
1. Outbound Strategy: Chinese Agribusiness “Going Global”
Context: Moving beyond the M&A emphasis of earlier landmark cases (e.g., Shuanghui International’s acquisition of Smithfield Foods, 2015), new cases should examine post-merger integration, greenfield investments in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, and the branding and legitimacy challenges Chinese firms face overseas.
Examples of topics in this area include:
- Decision-focused scenarios in which Chinese managers must navigate foreign regulatory environments
- Cultural distance management and cross-border stakeholder engagement
- Sustainability and compliance expectations in overseas operations
- Brand positioning and legitimacy-building strategies for Chinese agribusiness firms in foreign markets
2. Supply Chain Internationalization and Digitalization
Context: IFAMR has published strong domestic supply chain cases (e.g., “Adoption of e-commerce… Minyu e-commerce company” [2020] and “Vegetable supply chain integration… in China” [2019]). The next step is to connect these domestic innovations to global networks and cross-border operating realities.
Examples of topics in this area include:
- Cross-border cold-chain logistics management and optimization
- Food safety and traceability systems across export/import channels
- Supply-chain resilience under trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions
- Digital platform integration for international agri-food supply chains
3. Inbound Strategy: Localization 2.0 for Multinational Corporations
Context: The classic localization challenge faced by multinational corporations (MNCs) in China (e.g., ANZCO Foods, 2013) has evolved. Today, MNCs must compete against nimble local insurgents while responding to changing consumer behavior and platform-based retail ecosystems.
Examples of topics in this area include:
- Adaptation strategies for China’s “New Retail” (O2O) environment
- Navigating localized ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) expectations
- Building and managing “glocal” talent and leadership pipelines
- Competitive positioning against domestic Chinese agribusiness firms
Alignment with IFAMR Case Selection Criteria
To ensure full consistency with IFAMR’s standards, this subsection adheres strictly to the journal’s existing case submission requirements:
- Protagonist-led: Each case centers on a specific manager facing a non-trivial decision with real strategic implications.
- Rigorous teaching notes: Submissions must include comprehensive teaching notes with clear learning objectives, discussion questions, and relevant theoretical applications (e.g., Institutional Theory, the CAGE Framework, Resource-Based View, Transaction Cost Economics).
- Managerial relevance: Cases provide actionable insights for current and future agribusiness leaders navigating the China–global interface.
(See the IFAMR Case Study Essentials for further guidance on writing teaching case studies.)
Submission Instructions
Step 1: Authors must submit complete teaching cases (including the case narrative and comprehensive teaching notes) through the Editorial Manager Portal of IFAMR before May 15, 2026.
When submitting teaching cases, authors must select Strategies at the China–Global Agribusiness Interface in the Article Type dropdown menu to ensure proper routing and expedited review.
Step 2: Submitted cases will undergo double-blind peer review according to IFAMR’s standard review process. Accepted cases will be published together as a special subsection along with an introductory editorial. Cases will be published “in press” as soon as possible after acceptance. But the completed issue is expected in end 2026.
The format of complete cases should follow IFAMR’s author guidelines that can be found at: https://www.ifama.org/submission-guidelines.
Final manuscripts should be uploaded using IFAMR’s online submission portal: https://www.editorialmanager.com/ifamr/default.aspx.
NAU-FECC Conference
Authors of selected cases will be invited to present at the Conference on “China–Global Agribusiness“, jointly organized by Nanjing Agricultural University and the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P.R. China.
- Location: Nanjing, China
- Time: July 2026
The conference will provide a platform for scholars and agripreneurs to discuss strategies for the internationalization of Chinese agribusiness and the integration of global food systems.
Special Issue Timeline
May 15, 2026: Submission deadline of full cases
June 1, 2026: Authors informed of conference acceptance and invited for presentations
July 2026: NAU-FECC joint conference in Nanjing
November 30, 2026: Notice to authors of the final decision
The special issue is expected to be published in early 2027.
Please direct questions to:
Li Lin, li.lin@njau.edu.cn
Yujia Huo, rosehuo18@njau.edu.cn
Xi Tian, tian@njau.edu.cn
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