Purpose: This article present a review of articles on business negotiation published between 1995 and 2015.

Design/methodology/approach: This literature review is based on 490 article on business negotiation.

Findings: When analyzing the conceptual underpinnings of this field, two paradigms emerge as dominant. The most prominent paradigm is a cognitive, psychological approach, typically relying on experiments and statistical testing of findings. The second dominating paradigm is a behavioral one, largely concerned with mathematical modelling and game-theoretical models.

Practical implications: Besides offering a description of the characteristics adhered to the business negotiation field, this paper will also suggest recommendations for further research and specify areas in which the research field needs further conceptual and empirical development.

Originality/value: This literature review serves to be the first representation of the characteristics adhered to the budding research field of business negotiation.