Exploring factors shaping intercultural competence among China's college students to seize global business opportunities: A systematic literature review

With the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) a unique communication model has also emerged, driven by e-commerce platforms and social media. How to cultivate the cross-cultural competence of CBEC students to seize global business opportunities has become a key issue for relevant institutions. This challenge is particularly prominent in China, where access to certain foreign social media platforms is restricted. Although there has been considerable research on cultivating cross-cultural competence, the conclusions vary widely depending on the research subjects and perspectives. To enhance Chinese educators' understanding and application of current research findings, this study conducted a systematic literature to analyze the current state of research in this field. Given the unique challenges faced by Chinese CBEC students, the study also focused on literature involving Chinese students and foreign trade professionals, identifying key factors in cross-cultural competence development. The results revealed six key factors that influence the development of cross-cultural competence: intercultural engagement, business English proficiency, global mindset, cultural knowledge, adaptability, and entrepreneurial motivation. The findings aim to assist educators in China by facilitating the effective integration of existing research into their teaching practices. By highlighting the essential factors, this study helps reduce the risk of overlooking critical factors, thereby better supporting the development of students' cross-cultural competence.