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The social and environmental impact of entrepreneurship: a review and future research agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgia Scartozzi

    (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

  • Silvia Delladio

    (University of Trento)

  • Francesco Rosati

    (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

  • Argyro Iro Nikiforou

    (Technical University of Denmark (DTU))

  • Andrea Caputo

    (University of Trento
    University of Lincoln)

Abstract

This study seeks to systematize and integrate the scientific knowledge about the social and environmental impact of entrepreneurship. It does so by performing a bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review of 172 journal articles. The study provides an overview of the current knowledge on the topic by identifying four thematic clusters: “social entrepreneurship for societal impact”, “entrepreneurship for sustainable development”, “female entrepreneurship for institutional change”, and “entrepreneurship for inclusive regional development”. It further reveals that entrepreneurship literature predominantly focuses on social impact, with less emphasis on environmental impact, and it stresses the need for future research to avoid working in silos. In particular, it suggests that the boundaries between the different impact domains are elusive and that the interlinkages between social, environmental, and economic impact should be further explored. Finally, it proposes that further studies need to increase clarity in the conceptualization and operationalization of impact in entrepreneurship research, as well as to pay more attention to the negative impact of entrepreneurship.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgia Scartozzi & Silvia Delladio & Francesco Rosati & Argyro Iro Nikiforou & Andrea Caputo, 2025. "The social and environmental impact of entrepreneurship: a review and future research agenda," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1041-1072, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:19:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s11846-024-00783-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-024-00783-9
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    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; Impact; Society; Environment; Bibliometric analysis; Systematic literature review;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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