Influences of cultural capital and internationalization on global competence in higher education: a systematic literature review

Abstract

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IntroductionIn an increasingly global economy, the global competence of students in higher education is a critical area of importance. The purpose of the study was to explore the research on factors that influence an individual’s global competence in both international and Chinese contexts.MethodsUnder the umbrella of cultural capital theory and Internationalization, a systematic literature review analyzed and synthesized the empirical studies of global competence from 2013 to 2022.ResultsThis research revealed that students with higher cultural capital backgrounds obtain more educational opportunities and further exhibit better global competence achievement. Internationalization abroad is a direct and practical pedagogy for global competence acquisition, reflected in student and faculty mobility. Internationalization opportunities in an individual’s home country catalyze global competence.ConclusionThese results highlight that students who have a lower capital background or few opportunities for mobility can reap the potential benefits of global competence attainment through involvement in domestic educational activities.

Keywords

• higher education
• cultural capital
• internationalization abroad
• internationalization at home
• intergroup contact
• global competence