What do you mean by literature review?

A literature review is a systematic, critical evaluation of existing scholarly research on a specific topic. It synthesizes key findings, identifies gaps in current knowledge, and establishes the theoretical foundation for a study. In business research, it helps contextualize the research problem, supports hypothesis development, and justifies the chosen methodology. Unlike an annotated bibliography, it goes beyond summarizing sources—it analyzes trends, debates, and inconsistencies in the literature. A well-structured literature review demonstrates the researcher’s understanding of the field while positioning their work within the broader academic discourse. It ensures research builds on prior work rather than duplicating it.