Network insidership: A liability in times of geopolitical tensions?

The growing literature on internationalization as a networking process has emphasized that the primary challenge for internationalizing firms is to reduce their liability of network outsidership and to establish an insidership position in relevant networks. However, recent empirical observations indicate that the international business landscape is changing rapidly. In an evolving geopolitical context, circumstances may arise in which insidership in specific networks can be a burden for international companies rather than an asset. While previous studies have predominantly viewed insidership as a critical asset, this study offers a more nuanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of insidership. By drawing on earlier research by international business and industrial marketing scholars, we develop the argument that geopolitical changes can alter the nature and favorability of insidership, potentially leading to a situation where network insidership becomes a liability rather than an asset.