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Kristin Brandl

Associate Professor

Subjects
Service Value chain International relations Internationalisation Multinational company Social responsibility

Primary research areas

In­ter­na­tion­al Ser­vices and Policy
I study how in­ter­na­tion­al ser­vices can be char­ac­ter­ized and how com­plex chal­lenges shape glob­al ser­vice value chains. Sub-pro­jects ex­plore the char­ac­ter­iz­a­tion and policy de­vel­op­ment of in­ter­na­tion­al ser­vices as well as the off­shor­ing and out­sourcing pro­cess of know­ledge-in­tens­ive ser­vices to de­vel­op­ing coun­tries. Some of this work is re­searched in the con­text of the In­di­an know­ledge pro­cess out­sourcing (KPO) in­dustry.
Mul­ti­lat­er­al­ism and In­ter­na­tion­al Re­la­tions in In­ter­na­tion­al Busi­ness
This stream ex­am­ines how mul­ti­lat­er­al­ism and in­ter­na­tion­al re­la­tions, par­tic­u­larly in the con­text of in­ter­gov­ern­ment­al or­gan­iz­a­tions and in­ter­na­tion­al agree­ments, af­fect the in­ter­na­tion­al busi­ness en­vir­on­ment. In vari­ous dif­fer­ent sub-pro­jects I ana­lyze the role of EU and UNCTAD policies (both hard and soft) on for­eign in­vest­ments and firms, the design and di­versity of trade and in­vest­ment agree­ments, and the con­sequences of policy vi­ol­a­tions or mis­align­ments between na­tion­al and supra­na­tion­al levels.
In­ter­na­tion­al Busi­ness for De­vel­op­ment
I also fo­cus on the links between FDI, trade, and coun­try de­vel­op­ment, with a par­tic­u­lar em­phas­is on sus­tain­able busi­ness be­ha­vi­or in emer­ging and de­vel­op­ing eco­nom­ies. Dif­fer­ent sub-pro­jects in­vest­ig­ate, for ex­ample, how nat­ur­al-re­source-seek­ing FDI af­fects rur­al com­munit­ies, poverty, labor op­por­tun­it­ies, and in­equal­ity in emer­ging and de­vel­op­ing coun­tries, of­fer­ing in­sights into the broad­er de­vel­op­ment im­plic­a­tions of glob­al busi­ness activ­ity.

I am con­nect­ing in­ter­na­tion­al busi­ness and policy for fairer fu­tures

My research sits at the intersection of international business, global governance, and development. It explores how international business and global governance can be harnessed to promote more sustainable and inclusive development. I investigate how international services, trade, and investment shape opportunities for firms and societies, and how multilateral institutions and international agreements influence the rules of the global economy.

A key motivation in my work is to understand how globalization can reduce rather than reinforce inequality. I examine how foreign direct investment and trade affect labor markets, poverty, and community development in emerging economies, while also considering how firms and policymakers can better align business practices with societal goals.

Through this research, I aim to generate insights that not only advance academic debates but also help companies adopt more responsible strategies and assist policymakers in designing global frameworks that support sustainable growth and fairer development outcomes.

Publications

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December 2025

Characterizing International Services

An Interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policy

Kri­stin Brandl, Associate Professor

Pe­ter Ør­berg Jen­sen, Associate Professor

Patrik Ström

Andrew Jones
Go to publication

June 2025

FDI and Income Inequality

How MNEs Can Have Negative Impacts on Developing Countries

Pablo Leao, Research Assistant

Kri­stin Brandl, Associate Professor

Elizabeth Marie Moore
Go to publication

2025

How Really Unique Are Emerging Markets and Their Firms?

Snehal Awate

Kri­stin Brandl, Associate Professor

Ber­sant Hob­da­ri, Associate Professor

William Newburry
Go to publication

Outside activities

As­so­ci­ate Pro­fess­or at the Uni­ver­sity of Vic­tor­ia , -

Teach­ing, ser­vice, and re­search