Literature Reviews: What are the Challenges, and how can Students and new Business Researchers be Successful?

Abstract

The literature review is a key part of a dissertation, academic or journal paper, yet it is also one that often proves challenging. The multidisciplinary nature of business and management studies adds to the demands of writing a critical review by deciding which theories, subject areas and texts to interrogate. There are a number of approaches that students and academics might take in writing a literature review that require differing emphasis, resources and timeframe. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and develop an understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by students and new researchers in preparing journal papers. We share our experience as faculty with teaching and writing at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and identify a number of the problems typically faced. Recent trends with regard to the proliferation of open access journals are outlined, and the perspective of a journal Editor addresses common mistakes that lead to poor submissions and reviews. A popular business school text is amongst the views considered. Several examples of different types of literature review are included to illustrate the breadth of choice. Specialist types of software for analysis associated with the complexities of systematic literature reviews are outlined. We close with guidelines for success and conclusions for each of four objectives. More research is encouraged as students now have fewer opportunities to develop the skills required for critical writing; yet these are the very skills in demand for consultancy and similar professions following graduation.