A systematic review of replication studies in international management: What has been done so far, and what needs to be done in the future?

Abstract

This study is the first scholarly attempt to systematically review replication studies in the area of international management. We identified 57 replication studies in rigorous journals covering the period up to early 2025. We carefully went through all the identified articles, classified them into six categories of replication, and synthesized eight recurring themes. We outlined the key debates in those themes and summarized the key findings and contributions of representative replication studies. Most of the replication studies were unable to fully reproduce the results of the replicated study. Compared to the original studies, the replication studies have shown significant advancements in various aspects, notably in variable measurement, data collection approach, and data analysis techniques. Many studies have moved beyond mere replication and methodological updates and have contributed fresh theoretical insights that extend the field. Although limited in numbers, the fruitful outcomes of the prior replication studies not only indicate a growing recognition of replication as a relevant method in the field of international management but also highlight the potential power of this type of research to advance theoretical developments. We made practical recommendations for future replication studies in the end.