International Small Business Journal opens call for papers on scaling and persistent high growth

The International Small Business Journal (ISBJ) invites submissions for a special issue on the processes, challenges, and strategies associated with scaling and sustaining persistent high growth. Papers may be submitted until November 3rd, 2026, two weeks after the submission window opens. 

The Special Issue aims to advance the understanding of scaling as a transformative process, the challenges involved in maintaining high growth rates, and the organizational transformations required to sustain high-growth performance over time. 

The call welcomes conceptual, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, addressing the following topics: 

• Organizational transformation processes; 

• Leadership, organizational design, and human capital; 

• Business model innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence; 

• Entrepreneurial ecosystems and external factors; 

• Scaling of family firms and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); 

• International expansion; 

• Sustainable growth, resilience, and persistent high performance. 

The Special Issue is organized by Afsaneh Bagheri (University of Lincoln), Vanessa Bretas (University of Galway), Christian Felzensztein (Clarkson University), Justin Jansen (Erasmus University) and Simon Raby (Mount Royal University). 

Publication of the Special Issue is scheduled for May 2028. Submissions must be original and comply with the ISBJ submission guidelines.  

For the submission guidelines and further information about the call, visit the Official Website.