Bibliometric mapping of sustainable entrepreneurship in the 21st century to guide future research
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2026.017Keywords
entrepreneurship, sustainability, environment, sustainable entrepreneurshipAbstract
In the 21st century, sustainable entrepreneurship has taken on a fundamental role as an innovative strategy to address growing environmental, economic, and social challenges. In this context, the aim of this research was to identify the scientific output focused on sustainable entrepreneurship in the 21st century through a bibliometric analysis. The Scopus database was used to analyse a total of 1,157 documents, applying techniques such as citation network analysis, bibliographic coupling, and the analysis of the conceptual structure of these documents. Among the main results, thematic clusters emerged such as sustainable business strategies and competitive development in SMEs, business models and decision-making with social and environmental impact, higher education and entrepreneurial training for sustainable development, and entrepreneurship and economic analysis for sustainable development in developing countries. The study offers a comprehensive view of the main research lines that connect sustainability, entrepreneurship, education, and economic development within business and social contexts, contributing to a deeper understanding of how scientific knowledge around sustainable entrepreneurship has evolved, while identifying trends, gaps, and opportunities for future research. These results can guide corporate policymakers, sustainability managers, universities, and businesses in designing strategies, educational programmes, and business practices that promote sustainable entrepreneurship.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Campo Elías López-Rodríguez, Andrés Mauricio Acosta López, Miguel Ángel Díaz Díaz
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