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Entrepreneurship research: mapping intellectual structures and research trends

Author

Listed:
  • João J. M. Ferreira

    (University of Beira Interior & NECE - Research Unit in Business Sciences)

  • Cristina I. Fernandes

    (Intituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco & NECE - Research Unit in Business Sciences)

  • Sascha Kraus

    (University of Liechtenstein)

Abstract

Using bibliometric techniques to identify connections between existing entrepreneurship studies, this article seeks to understand the scientific structure of entrepreneurship research and how entrepreneurship scholarship is organized. Co-citation data and quantitative approach were used to identify scientific publications, intellectual structures, and research trends interrelated with theories of innovative entrepreneurship. Data were gathered from the citations and co-citations found in the Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Science Citation Index, and Arts and Humanities Citation Index. Our research reveals six groups of underlying entrepreneurship theories: (1) knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship, (2) creation and networks theory, (3) decision-making theory, (4) specialization of labor, (5) social entrepreneurship theory, and (6) entrepreneurship in the informal economy.

Suggested Citation

  • João J. M. Ferreira & Cristina I. Fernandes & Sascha Kraus, 2019. "Entrepreneurship research: mapping intellectual structures and research trends," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 181-205, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:13:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11846-017-0242-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-017-0242-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship theories; Bibliometrics; Citation analysis; Multi-dimensional scaling analysis; Cluster analysis; Co-citations; Article impact;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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