The Diplomacy of Deal-Flow: An Organizational Study of Chambers of Commerce as Intermediaries in Emerging Markets

BackgroundEmerging markets continue to account for a disproportionate share of global growth, yet they face persistent challenges arising from institutional voids such as weak regulatory systems, fragmented market intermediaries, and limited access to reliable information (Onwuzulike, Ononiwu & Shitu, 2024). In such environments, traditional business intermediaries are often inadequate, and firms must rely on more hybrid institutional actors to facilitate market activity (Adomako, Amankwah-Amoah, Debrah, Khan & Chu, 2021). One such actor is the Chamber of Commerce, which operates at the nexus of the public and private sectors. Historically, Chambers have provided collective representation, certification, and advocacy for business communities; today, they are increasingly taking on more active roles in digital transformation, skill development, and cross-border trade facilitation (OECD / Eurochambres / ICC, 2024). With globalization and rapid technological change, Chambers have evolved beyond their traditional functions. Many now use digital platforms to deliver training, provide market intelligence, and coordinate trade missions, while also leveraging big data and analytics to serve their members more strategically Chambers of Commerce (2025), OECD (2024),. This shift reflects a reimagined intermediary role that blends associational legitimacy with operational capabilities, especially in emerging markets where institutional support may be fragmented or underdeveloped.