Purpose

– The objective of this paper is to conceptualize and define a concept (i.e. born glocals) that may contribute to unite the terminology into one common concept.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review is provided. A concept is conceptualized.

Findings

– The current terminology should be derived from and underpinned by conceptual and definitional attributes beyond what currently appear to be buzzwords.

Research limitations/implications

– The concept of born glocals coined by the author should be seen as a compromise to unite the disparate terminology used to label the phenomenon in focus.

Originality/value

– The field of research, its researchers and others (i.e. scholars and practitioners) interested in the phenomenon at hand would benefit from having access to a common terminology.