International marketing: an assessment

The vast scope and range of International Marketing is reviewed in its entirety with a view to how the subject is and should be researched and taught. Definitions are questioned, and important gaps, societal trends and present‐day bad practices are identified that ought to feature more in our evaluation of the subject. The positioning of the academic community relative to the business community is discussed in terms of subject development. The dilemma is whether then to teach actual skills or develop knowledge and mental training. This paper questions the status quo. The deficiencies of the current International Marketing model are Western based and manufacturing rather than services oriented. Where are the countries in transition? International Marketing is questioned for its efficacy and as a body of knowledge. Finally, a wishlist of desirables is put forward as to what should unfold in the future in terms of subject development, regulation, funding, research opportunities and replication.