Title: Future of business learning research: a bibliometric and causal layered analysis

Authors: Pouria Goldasteh; Morteza Akbari; Afsaneh Bagheri; Ali Mobini Dehkordi

Addresses: Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran ' Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Numerous studies have investigated different aspects of business learning for many years and now exploring insights and directions of the future research in this area needs more precise and detailed methods. The main contribution of this study is a novel research methodology to analyse the future of business learning research by using specific bibliometric method outputs for presenting a causal layered analysis of this domain. Accordingly, a sample of 1411 papers in this area has been retrieved from Thompson Reuters Web of Science™ Core Collection database. Thereupon, a strategic map has been derived from bibliometric method which includes market orientation, absorptive capacity, capabilities, firm performance and exploration. This theme with the most research centrality and density has been used to make a scenario in a causal layered analysis format to deliver a more accurate insight of the future of business learning research.

Keywords: business learning; bibliometric method; causal layered analysis; strategic map.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2026.151139

European Journal of International Management, 2026 Vol.28 No.2, pp.317 - 345

Received: 15 Sep 2020
Accepted: 21 Oct 2020
Published online: 15 Jan 2026 *

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