Advice for Applicants: Navigating the Assistant Professor Role in International Business with a Global Perspective

The Sonoco International Business Department at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, offers a rare opportunity for scholars aiming to shape the field of international business (IB) through cutting-edge research and education. If you’re an aspiring international educator or researcher, here’s a guide to strategically approach this application from a global education perspective:

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1. Understand the Multidisciplinary Nature of the Department

The Sonoco International Business Department is a hub for scholars with diverse academic backgrounds-ranging from management and strategy to economics, political science, sociology, and beyond-all unified by a shared commitment to examining international business phenomena. As an applicant, it’s critical to showcase how your research aligns with this multidisciplinary emphasis. Highlight how your expertise and international lens contribute to debates on topics such as global strategy, institutional context, entrepreneurship, corruption, or the digital economy. If your work spans multiple disciplines or adopts innovative frameworks, articulate this clearly as it will resonate strongly with the department’s ethos.

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2. Leverage International Experience in Research and Teaching

The University’s top-ranked IB programs and global collaborations set it apart as a destination for international education. To stand out, emphasize your ability to bridge cross-cultural and geographic divides in both research and pedagogy. For example:

• Research: Specify how your expertise ties into emerging priorities in IB, such as cybersecurity, AI, digital disruptions in global strategy, or geopolitical risks affecting international businesses.
• Teaching: Demonstrate your flair for cultivating globally minded students. If you’ve taught IB courses with international themes such as emerging markets (e.g., Southeast Asia, Africa), or partnered with global universities, highlight these achievements. Experience in leading study-abroad courses or applying international case studies in classroom settings will also positively differentiate you.

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3. Showcase Geographic Expertise and Emerging Market Knowledge

Regional expertise, particularly in emerging markets, such as Southeast Asia or Africa, is highly valued given the growing importance of these regions in the global economy. If your scholarship has addressed institutions, economies, or organizations within these contexts, present your contributions clearly. Explain how this regional lens helps address critical questions related to IB topics like global supply chains, political risk, or entrepreneurial ecosystems.

For applicants focusing on other emerging markets or regions, such as Latin America or Eastern Europe, communicate those parallels and how they align with the department’s international priorities.

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4. Strengthen Your Technology and Innovation Focus

Given the focus on topics like cybersecurity, cyberspace, and AI, think about how your research might intersect with technological innovations and digital transformations reshaping IB. If you’ve explored these disruptions-whether in terms of global strategy, financial systems, or institutional responses-highlight your insights. For applicants with limited direct experience in these areas, consider showcasing innovative methodologies (e.g., big data approaches or digital simulations) that help tackle such challenges.

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5. Emphasize High-Impact Contributions in IB Research

The department is home to acclaimed researchers, AIB Fellows, and editors of major journals, with faculty shaping global conversations on significant IB topics. As you apply, focus on your potential to not only publish in top-tier journals but also contribute meaningfully to the broader intellectual community in global business. If you’ve engaged with academic associations like AIB, AOM, or SMS, or presented in international conferences, emphasize this.

Additionally, for early-career scholars, emphasize your ability to contribute to “high-impact scholarship” by identifying your niche within the global IB landscape and connecting that to the department’s mission.

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6. Capitalize on the School’s Global Partnerships

The Darla Moore School of Business leads multiple collaborative degree programs and partnerships with renowned universities, including Bocconi (Italy), Mannheim (Germany), and ESSEC (France), among others. If you want to demonstrate fit, highlight any past experiences collaborating with international institutions, conducting research abroad, or teaching in globally integrated settings. If you have ideas for extending such partnerships through innovative, cross-border research or teaching initiatives, share them in your application.

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7. Position Yourself as a Contributor to Global IB Education

The department’s programs, especially its International MBA (#1 in the U.S.) and Master’s in International Business, focus on creating global leaders. Showcase how you would contribute to building these programs’ strengths through cross-disciplinary research, culturally immersive teaching approaches, or innovative course design. If you have experience in developing global education materials (e.g., case studies, simulations) or leading initiatives that bridge academic knowledge with practitioner needs, these are valuable assets.

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8. Present an Internationally Informed Application Package

When preparing your materials:

• Cover Letter: Go beyond listing qualifications. Tailor your narrative to emphasize your global perspective-connect your experiences, skills, and research directly to the themes the department values.
• CV: Feature international collaborations, cross-border research, doctoral training abroad, or any culturally diverse teaching experience.
• Writing Sample: Choose a paper that reflects your best work on international business and demonstrates originality, rigorous methodology, and relevance to global challenges in IB.
• Recommendation Letters: Your references should highlight not only your qualities as a researcher/teacher but also your ability to contribute to the department’s mission of multidisciplinary, global scholarship.

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9. Understand Columbia’s Opportunities for Livability and Research

As a prospective faculty member relocating, Columbia offers a unique blend of affordability, community, and cosmopolitan accessibility. Use this as a potential advantage when discussing how you envision your integration into the department. For example, if your research demands strong ties with local or international communities, articulate how the region enables that connectivity. Similarly, think about how the U.S. Department of Education’s CIBER resources or the Sonoco endowment can support your research agenda.

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10. Be Timely and Attentive in Application Submission

To ensure your application is considered early:

• Submit all components by August 15, 2025, via USC Jobs (FAC00093PO25).
• Reach out to department administrators with any clarifying questions: Danielle Funderburk (DANIELLE.FUNDERBURK@moore.sc.edu) or Search Committee Chair Prof. Sali Li (Sali.Li@moore.sc.edu).
• Plan on tailoring your materials immediately to reflect the department’s expectations and mission.

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Final Thoughts

For international-minded scholars, this position at the Sonoco International Business Department represents a gateway to creating globally influential research and educational impact. Use your application to signal not only your strengths as a scholar but also your ability to embody and advance the department’s commitment to global excellence in international business. With the right narrative and focus, you have the opportunity to join a team of world-class faculty while contributing to the evolution of IB education on a global scale