International operations management research

This paper profiles the literature on international operations management (IOM) from 28 leading operations management, international business, and management journals over the years 1986-1997. Trends in the frequency of IOM articles published and in topical coverage are identified based on research appearing in the journal set reviewed. A framework is developed and presented for classifying the IOM research literature by topical area and scope. Based on the articles reviewed, IOM research is found to focus most on industrialized countries and regions. There is need for empirical studies that span a wider range of countries in order to glean broader insights and to develop generalized theories of international operations management. A number of issues are identified for possible future research. The IOM literature from the journal set is reviewed and the comprehensive set of bibliographic references included provides both academicians and practitioners with a useful source of information to draw from. As identified, much of the work in international operations management seems motivated by a desire to provide firms with an economic benefit. While this is undoubtedly worthwhile, the objective of IOM research could be broadened to encompass social and economic goals of non-profit organizations as well as international agencies such as the United Nations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.