Bibliometric portrait of the theory of community-based enterprise: evolution and future directions

The focus of this study is to present an overview of the literature related to the Theory of Community-Based Enterprise (TCBE) using bibliometric analysis. We analysed 477 articles published in 201 journals in the Scopus database till 2021. Initially, prominent features based on key bibliometric indicators of 477 articles are presented under performance analysis, like prominent studies, journals, authors, and keywords. Then in network analysis, bibliographic coupling, and co-occurrence analysis were conducted on the articles. The bibliometric analysis enables mapping of the theory’s evolution, provides a comprehensive overview of TCBE literature, and leads to identifying the dynamics of the field and cluster-based themes and their relationships. The study resulted in three significant findings—the first is that limited studies have assessed the assumptions and features of the theory as valid in different cultural scenarios. Second, the theory is used in various concepts but prominently as a sub-topic under social entrepreneurship; there exists an opportunity to study community initiatives as a focus. The third is a spectrum of words used to represent the idea of community-based enterprises that hampers building uniformity of the concept.This study aligns with sustainable development goals (SDG 8) and calls attention to the concept of community-based enterprise, which has been accepted as a strategy for sustainable development in remote areas. The authors have pointed out the interdisciplinary nature of the TCBE. The concept examined in this study is deeply rooted within the community’s skills and indigenous knowledge, thus empowering the community members to become crusaders of their development. Policymakers from emerging economies should use this strategy to bring down regional disparity by making policies that give thrust to community-initiatives. Government support will help preserve indigenous knowledge and communities’ self-reliance. This study concludes with intriguing questions that have the potential to ignite future research.