Bicultural Resourcefulness in International Projects

<p>Bicultural individuals are increasingly recognized as valuable resources in international organizations, yet their specific role and impact within international project contexts remain underexplored. This study presents a theory-driven literature review on bicultural resourcefulness in international projects, informed by systematic search procedures, aiming to consolidate current knowledge, assess empirical findings, and identify research needs. A structured keyword-based search following Webster and Watson was conducted across major academic databases, resulting in five empirical studies. The review revealed a limited but growing body of literature highlighting the competencies of bicultural professionals, including bicultural competence, boundary spanning, and cultural mediation. Key research gaps were identified, particularly regarding differences between first- and second-generation biculturals, their impact on project-related outcomes, and the organizational conditions that enable the effective use of their skillsets. The findings underscore the need for a more nuanced understanding of biculturalism beyond broad, generic identity framings. This review contributes to the emerging discourse in international management by combining a Multicultural Input-Process-Output (MIPO)-oriented integrative framework with a focused research agenda for further empirical investigation on bicultural professionals in project-based contexts.</p>