Systematic Literature Review for DBA: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to conduct a systematic literature review for DBA Research. A proven process to build a strong DBA Systematic literature review to identify research gaps.
How to Conduct a Systematic Literature Review for DBA
A well-executed systematic literature review for DBA research is one of the most important foundations of a successful dissertation. Unlike a traditional review that summarizes prior studies, a systematic approach follows a structured, transparent, and replicable process to identify, evaluate, and synthesize relevant evidence.
Many DBA scholars struggle with questions such as:
- Where should I begin my literature search?
- How do I know I have reviewed enough studies?
- How can I identify a genuine research gap?
- How do I organize my findings into a compelling Chapter 2?
If these challenges sound familiar, this guide will walk you through the entire process of conducting a systematic literature review for DBA research. By the end, you will understand how to build a rigorous DBA literature review, apply a sound literature review methodology, strengthen your business research review, and create a compelling DBA dissertation literature chapter that supports your research objectives.
Item 1 – Define Your Research Question and Scope
Every successful systematic literature review for DBA projects starts with a clearly defined research question.
Before searching databases, determine:
- Your primary research problem
- Key constructs and variables
- Target population
- Industry or business context
- Geographic scope
For example, instead of searching broadly for:
Leadership and employee performance
A more focused DBA research question might be:
How does transformational leadership influence employee retention in remote technology organizations?
A focused question helps establish clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for your review.
Key Actions
✔ Define research objectives
✔ Clarify key concepts
✔ Identify theoretical foundations
✔ Develop search terms and keyword combinations
This initial planning stage improves the quality and relevance of your DBA dissertation literature review.
Item 2 – Develop a Systematic Search Strategy
A hallmark of a strong systematic literature review for DBA studies is a transparent search process.
Rather than randomly selecting articles, create a documented search strategy.
Recommended Databases
- Scopus
- Web of Science
- ProQuest
- EBSCO
- ABI/INFORM
- Google Scholar (supplementary)
Example Search String
(“transformational leadership”)
AND
(“employee retention”)
AND
(“technology organizations”)
Document:
- Databases searched
- Keywords used
- Date ranges
- Number of results obtained
- Inclusion and exclusion decisions
A transparent search strategy enhances the credibility of your literature review methodology and strengthens academic rigor.
Item 3 – Screen and Evaluate the Literature
After gathering studies, the next step is screening.
Not every article belongs in your review.
Inclusion Criteria
Consider:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles
- Recent publications (typically within 5–7 years)
- Relevant business contexts
- Strong methodological quality
Exclusion Criteria
Avoid:
- Non-scholarly sources
- Duplicate studies
- Irrelevant industries
- Weak research designs
Critical Evaluation Questions
Ask:
- What was the research purpose?
- Which methodology was used?
- What were the findings?
- What limitations were identified?
- What future research was recommended?
This evaluation process transforms your business research review from a summary into a critical scholarly analysis.
Item 4 – Synthesize Findings and Identify Research Gaps
One of the biggest mistakes in a DBA literature review is summarizing studies individually rather than synthesizing them.
Poor Literature Review Approach
Author A found X.
Author B found Y.
Author C found Z.
This is summary writing.
Strong Literature Review Approach
Instead, compare studies by:
- Themes
- Methodologies
- Populations
- Geographic regions
- Theoretical frameworks
Example
Several studies report positive relationships between transformational leadership and employee retention. However, most research focuses on large corporations, while limited evidence exists regarding remote technology organizations.
This statement begins to demonstrate a research gap.
Common Types of Research Gaps
- Contextual gaps
- Population gaps
- Methodological gaps
- Geographic gaps
- Theoretical gaps
Identifying these gaps is one of the primary objectives of a systematic literature review for DBA scholars.
H2: Item 5 – Organize and Write Your Literature Review Chapter
Once synthesis is complete, begin constructing your Chapter 2.
Recommended Structure
Introduction
- Overview of chapter
- Purpose of review
Theoretical Framework
- Foundational theories
- Conceptual foundations
Thematic Literature Review
Organize by themes rather than authors.
Research Gap Discussion
Clearly articulate what remains unknown.
Chapter Summary
Connect findings to your research questions.
Best Practices
✔ Use synthesis rather than summaries
✔ Maintain logical flow between sections
✔ Support claims with scholarly evidence
✔ Link findings to your conceptual framework
✔ Demonstrate the need for your study
A strong DBA dissertation literature chapter positions your research as a meaningful contribution to the field.
Lead Magnet: Free Research Gap Worksheet
Many DBA candidates struggle to identify a defensible research gap after reviewing hundreds of articles.
To simplify this process, offer readers a downloadable:
Free Research Gap Worksheet
The worksheet should help scholars:
- Categorize reviewed studies
- Identify patterns and contradictions
- Document limitations
- Map research gaps
- Align gaps with research questions
Download Your Free Research Gap Worksheet Here:
[INSERT LEAD MAGNET DOWNLOAD LINK]
EXTERNAL LEARNING RESOURCES
The following high-authority, Scopus-indexed resources provide valuable guidance for conducting a systematic literature review for DBA research.
1. International Journal of Management Reviews
Relevant because it publishes review methodology papers, systematic review frameworks, and evidence synthesis approaches widely cited in business research.
2. Research Synthesis Methods
Focused specifically on systematic review methodologies, evidence synthesis, and research integration techniques directly applicable to DBA studies.
3. Educational Research Review
Provides high-quality articles on literature review methodologies, systematic reviews, and research gap identification processes.
DBA COACH LEARNING RESOURCES
For additional support with your DBA literature review and dissertation writing journey, explore these related resources from DBA Coach:
1. Literature Review vs. Annotated Bibliography
2. How to Demonstrate a Research Gap in Your Literature Review Chapter
3. Common Literature Review Mistakes DBA Students Make
Conclusion
Conducting a systematic literature review for DBA research is more than a dissertation requirement—it is the process that establishes the academic foundation of your study.
By:
- Defining a focused research question
- Developing a systematic search strategy
- Evaluating literature critically
- Synthesizing findings effectively
- Identifying meaningful research gaps
you can create a compelling DBA literature review that supports a high-quality dissertation.
A strong literature review methodology not only strengthens your research but also demonstrates scholarly rigor, increases credibility, and helps position your work as a valuable contribution to the business research community.
Most importantly, a well-structured business research review allows you to confidently justify your study and move forward with the rest of your dissertation.