Her research interests include the internationalization of (multinational) companies, knowledge transfer and communication in multinationals, and concepts and measurements of culture and distance in an international perspective. She has published in leading journals in the field of International Business including the Journal of International Business Studies, International Business Review and Management International Review. Rian is a member of the JIBS editorial review board and has been President of the European International Business Academy (EIBA), organizing its annual conference in Uppsala in 2014.