Global Careers in an Unequal World: Inclusive Academic Pathways for Underrepresented Regions

June 8, 2026 News

Sponsors: Iberoamerican Academy of Management (IAM) – primary sponsor; Social Issues in Management (SIM); Organizational Behavior (OB)

  • Session type: PDW
  • Date & Time: Sunday, 2 August 2026, 4:30–6:00 PM
  • Location: Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, Philadelphia Ballroom South

Abstract

The globalization of management scholarship has not been matched by equitable globalization of academic career opportunities, particularly for scholars in underrepresented regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub‑Saharan Africa. Evidence from recent reviews of the academic career literature shows pronounced fragmentation, heavy reliance on Global North samples, and limited theory addressing the structural inequalities that shape academic careers across these regions. These disparities restrict participation in global knowledge production and limit the Academy of Management’s ability to fulfill its strategic priority of strengthening engagement in underrepresented global regions.

This Professional Development Workshop (PDW) brings together scholars, editors, and AOM leaders to explore how academic careers can become more inclusive and globally representative. The 90‑minute session will combine emerging empirical insights, a critical expert panel, and a collaborative activity designed to generate concrete developmental pathways for scholars from underrepresented regions. Participants will gain region‑specific insights, conceptual tools, and new international networks to advance more equitable participation in the global academic community.

PDW format (90 minutes total)

Our 90‑minute session will include the following components:

  1. Emerging survey insights (approx. 20 minutes)
  • Presentation of key findings from the “Career Needs Around the Globe” survey, with a focus on regional inequalities in academic career trajectories, resource access, and mobility.
  • Discussion of how these patterns reflect structural constraints and institutional conditions in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East & North Africa, and Sub‑Saharan Africa.
  1. Expert panel (approx.45 minutes)
  • A moderated panel featuring scholars representing underrepresented regions (for example, Middle East & North Africa, Latin America, Sub‑Saharan Africa) and AOM leaders.
  • Panelists will discuss:
    • Structural inequalities and regional constraints in academic career development.
    • Limitations of Western‑centric career theories in capturing Global South realities.
    • Regional insights on promotion systems, research expectations, mobility barriers, and institutional support.
    • Opportunities for more inclusive academic career architectures and global collaboration.
  • The segment will conclude with an interactive Q&A with participants.
  1. Collaborative activity (approx. 20 minutes)
  • A structured, small‑group activity designed to foster cross‑regional research collaborations and practical peer support, especially for early‑career scholars from underrepresented regions.
  • Participants will:
    • Co‑develop ideas for cross‑regional projects.
    • Share strategies for navigating resource‑constrained environments, heavy teaching loads, and limited mobility.
  1. Closing (approx. 5 minutes)
  • Organizers will summarize cross‑regional insights, outline an emerging framework for inclusive global academic career ecosystems, and highlight opportunities to sustain this conversation beyond the PDW.

Rationale for sponsoring the workshop

Relevance to the Iberoamerican Academy of Management (Primary Sponsor)

IAM’s mission is to expand high‑quality management scholarship from and about Iberoamerica and other historically underrepresented regions. This PDW directly supports that mission by foregrounding regional inequalities in academic career development and by creating developmental spaces for scholars navigating resource‑constrained environments, limited research infrastructure, and barriers to global visibility. The workshop elevates Iberoamerican perspectives and engages participants in strategies that strengthen research capacity, expand cross‑regional collaboration, and increase participation in global scholarly networks. It operationalizes IAM’s goal of amplifying Global South voices in management research and pedagogy.

Relevance to SIM (Co‑Sponsor)

The Social Issues in Management division focuses on equity, justice, and societal impact. Academic careers are deeply embedded in structural conditions that reproduce inequalities, especially across regions. This PDW addresses issues of access to resources, fairness in global academic evaluation systems, and disparities in opportunity shaped by geography, institutional infrastructure, and political context. The session advances SIM’s agenda by exploring how the global architecture of knowledge production creates unequal career pathways and how the AOM community can intervene.

Relevance to OB (Co‑Sponsor)

Organizational Behavior scholars increasingly study careers, identity, motivation, and person–environment fit, yet dominant theories (for example, boundaryless careers, protean careers, social cognitive career theory) inadequately capture work realities in many regions where mobility is constrained, job autonomy is limited, and institutional resources vary significantly. This PDW invites OB scholars to rethink career theory through a cross‑regional lens and offers developmental mentoring for early‑career researchers seeking to establish scholarly identities under diverse institutional conditions.

Expanded workshop overview

Background and motivation

The academic career literature is highly fragmented, with overrepresentation of Global North contexts and underrepresentation of Asia, Latin America, Sub‑Saharan Africa, the Middle East & North Africa, and Eastern Europe (Varela et al., 2025). This imbalance limits theoretical development and constrains the global relevance of management scholarship. The PDW addresses these gaps by integrating structural, cultural, and institutional perspectives that shape academic careers globally. The session responds directly to AOM’s strategic goal of enhancing engagement in underrepresented regions and increasing inclusiveness in the global scholarly community.

Workshop goals

This PDW aims to:

  1. Make visible global inequalities in academic career trajectories and research ecosystems.
  2. Provide practical developmental support for scholars navigating diverse institutional and resource environments.
  3. Inspire new collaborative research addressing global academic career dynamics.
  4. Offer insights for journals, associations, and institutions seeking to create more inclusive pathways.

Theoretical and practical contribution

By juxtaposing diverse regional perspectives, the workshop advances theory‑building opportunities regarding:

  • Career ecosystems and contextualized models.
  • Institutional constraints and enablers.
  • Social capital and international collaboration under mobility limitations.
  • Non‑linear or region‑specific career pathways.

These insights extend management scholarship beyond Western‑centric paradigms and support more contextually grounded frameworks.

Practically, the PDW equips scholars with:

  • Tools to navigate academic careers under limited resources.
  • Strategies for publishing and collaborating globally.
  • Mentoring and networking opportunities.
  • Cross‑regional partnerships for future research.

Intended participants

This PDW is designed for:

  • Early‑career scholars and doctoral students from underrepresented regions.
  • Established scholars seeking to collaborate globally or enrich their understanding of global career ecosystems.
  • Institutional leaders and journal editors committed to inclusive knowledge production.

List of organizers and panelists

PDW organizers, moderators, and facilitators

  • Petya Koleva, Heriot‑Watt University Dubai, UAE
  • Pedro Hollanda, ESE Business School, Brazil
  • Connie Zheng, Adelaide University, Australia

Panelists

  • Bradley Kirkman, Poole College of Management, NC State University, USA
  • Fiona Robson, Heriot‑Watt University Dubai Campus, UAE
  • María José Bosch, Universidad de los Andes, Chile
  • Okechukwu Amah, Lagos Business School, Pan‑Atlantic University, Nigeria

Call for participation

We are pleased to invite you to our Professional Development Workshop at AOM 2026: “Global Careers in an Unequal World: Inclusive Academic Pathways for Underrepresented Regions.”

The globalization of management scholarship has not been matched by equitable globalization of academic career opportunities, particularly for scholars in underrepresented regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub‑Saharan Africa. This PDW brings together scholars, editors, and AOM leaders to explore how academic careers can become more inclusive and globally representative.

Our 90‑minute session will include:

  • Emerging insights from the “Career Needs Around the Globe” survey, with a focus on regional inequalities and career trajectories.
  • An expert panel discussing structural constraints, institutional conditions, and possibilities for more inclusive academic career systems.
  • A collaborative activity designed to foster cross‑regional research collaborations and to support early‑career scholars from underrepresented regions.

The PDW is open to scholars at all career stages, with particular emphasis on early‑career researchers and doctoral students from underrepresented regions. No pre‑registration is required for the panel; additional details on any optional developmental components will be shared closer to the date.

We would be grateful if you could share this announcement within your networks, especially with colleagues in underrepresented regions who may benefit from participating. We look forward to seeing many of you in Philadelphia and to continuing the conversation on inclusive global academic careers.