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62nd Annual Conference of the Business History Society of Japan

Hosei University, Tokyo, August 29-30

Stephanie Decker FAcSS FBAM

Mar 2

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Call for Papers for the international session (in English)

Expanding Horizons in Business History: Methods, Boundaries, and Global Perspectives

Business history is a field that continues to evolve and expand in scope. These developments can be identified in three interrelated dimensions.

The first concerns the expansion of methodology. While business history has traditionally been grounded in established historical approaches, its methodological repertoire has broadened in a variety of ways in recent years. This diversification includes the adoption of quantitative methods, engagements with organization theory and strategic management, increased attention to narrative and rhetorical approaches to historical analysis, and growing interest in cultural history and the history of the senses.

The second dimension involves the crossing of disciplinary boundaries and the integration of business history with other fields of study. Business history has long been connected to labor history, social history, and the history of technology. More recently, it has also developed linkages with fields such as gender studies and political science, in addition to the areas mentioned above.

The third dimension concerns the expansion of the geographical scope. Traditionally, business history has often taken the nation-state as its primary unit of analysis, focusing on single-country studies or comparative analyses across a limited number of countries. While such approaches remain important, increasing attention has been devoted to cross-border corporate connections, transnational actors, and approaches commonly referred to as “global business history.”

The conference organizers particularly welcome paper proposals that engage with these evolving directions in business history. We encourage submissions that address, for example, new methodologies in business history, the intersections of business history with other fields of research, or connections across national, regional, and global contexts.

These themes are not exhaustive, and proposals that do not directly engage with them but nevertheless make a significant contribution to business history will be also welcome.

Submission Guidelines

Individual paper proposals should include an abstract clearly stating the research question (maximum 300 words) and a short curriculum vitae indicating the author’s institutional affiliation (approximately 100 words). Panel proposals should include a panel abstract and individual paper abstracts, along with brief CVs for all participants.

All proposals should be submitted to the following address: bhsj2026tokyo@gmail.com

The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process by the end of April. Accepted papers will be scheduled for oral presentation at the conference.