Research on team identification has highlighted its importance for effective teamwork, particularly in global and virtual teams. However, the fragmented nature of the existing body of research, with studies conducted in diverse contexts, hinders a holistic understanding of the phenomenon. Moreover, the complexities of identification in global and virtual teams demand further investigation, as the unique challenges of these settings may modify the impact of identification compared to traditional teams. To address this gap, this study employs a systematic literature review approach. We collected and analyzed a total of 45 articles, which led to the classification of three categories: (1) monocultural teams with virtual meeting environments; (2) multicultural teams with non-virtual meeting environments; and (3) multicultural teams with virtual meeting environments. These categories are comprehensively explored to understand the development and impacts of identification on global and virtual teams before these categories are conceptualized into a cohesive framework explaining identification’s role within global and virtual teams. The developed framework highlights the fragmented yet progressive nature of research and suggests promising avenues for further investigation.
