Academic research in the Latin American context: a review of the empirical literature 1990‐2010

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this literature review is to provide a systematic overview and analysis of the trends and methodological issues of empirical scholarship in the Latin American context.

Design/methodology/approach

The publications of a 21‐year period (1990‐2010) were reviewed in 45 business journals; 108 empirical studies were found that utilized a Latin American context.

Findings

Country‐specific and research design patterns were identified. This paper discusses how three methodological challenges – language, data collection, and response rates – have evolved in the context of Latin America over a period of two decades.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to presenting Latin America as a more tractable empirical context for future qualitative and quantitative scholarship and highlights the feasibility of including this understudied region to test scholars' hypotheses in the developing world.

Citation

Martinez, C.A. and Kalliny, M. (2012), "Academic research in the Latin American context: a review of the empirical literature 1990‐2010", Multinational Business Review, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 231-247. https://doi.org/10.1108/15253831211261478