Publishing Rigorous and Impactful Literature Reviews in Business and Management Research

Abstract

The proposed panel symposium aims at turning a spotlight on literature reviews. With an ever-growing body of knowledge in business, management, and organization studies, literature reviews are crucial for the development of an accumulated body of knowledge, advancing theory and guiding future research efforts. Yet little discussion about their roles, different types, and approaches exist. We aim to discuss their roles for building accumulated bodies of knowledge and advancing theory as well as various methodological approaches. We will provide scholars across AOM divisions with advice and guidance for conducting and eventually publishing rigorous and impactful literature reviews. Specifically, this symposium will address several fundamental questions related to literature reviews, including but not limited to the following: (1) What are they, and what are they not? For example, how do they differ from theoretical works and empirical studies? Which journals publish what types of review studies? (2) Why to conduct review studies? For example, (why) do we need reviews in management research? (3) When to conduct them? For example, how mature should an area of research be? (4) How to conduct them? For example, what gets published and what does not? How important are scientific criteria such as transparency, reliability, reproducibility, and how may these be demonstrated?