Analyzing Business Research on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Clusters, Gaps, and Future Directions

Abstract

This study comprehensively analyzed and summarized business-related research on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Research on the FCPA is essential because sanctions for violations have grown substantially, increasing risks for multinational enterprises (MNEs). Recent fines exceeded $1 billion, and business executives were personally fined and imprisoned (Stanford Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Clearinghouse, 2021). Unfortunately, theory-based and empirically-validated business research has not kept pace with this increased risk. Performance mapping and science mapping pinpointed the most prolific academic fields, the most cited articles, and clusters of authors, journals, and keywords. Analyses identified gaps in the literature. Prior research focused on public policy questions, like the impact of the FCPA on American companies (Shapiro, 2013), the propriety of attempting to regulate foreign business ethics, and international treaties. Moreover, significant clustering and fractionalization into legal academic silos have side-stepped business-related research topics. New and different research directions are proposed.