The global business environment and the role of cultural intelligence: systematic literature review

This systematic review addresses the role of cultural intelligence (CQ) in influencing the internationalization strategies and success of business-to-business (B2B) firms. While existing literature has explored CQ primarily in contexts such as expatriate adjustment and global leadership, there remains a notable gap concerning its specific impacts on B2B firms’ international operations. This study selected articles using Scopus and Google Scholar databases search. 67 published papers were found that are related to the topic of study, and the PRISMA method was employed. The process of data extraction and analysis in the SPAR-4-SLR (Systematic Protocol for Academic Research). This review aims to consolidate and analyze current research to elucidate how different dimensions of managerial cultural intelligence, metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral affect international market entry strategies and overall performance outcomes. By synthesizing findings from relevant studies, this review identifies critical gaps in the literature and proposes avenues for future research. Theoretical implications include enriching the understanding of cross-cultural management dynamics in B2B contexts, while practical implications suggest strategies for enhancing firms’ global competitiveness through targeted training and strategic decision-making informed by cultural intelligence insights.