Mapping the evolution of entrepreneurship as a field of research (1990-2013): A scientometric analysis

Abstract

This article applies scientometric techniques to study the evolution of the field of entrepreneurship between 1990 and 2013. Using a combination of topic mapping, author and journal co-citation analyses, and overlay visualization of new and hot topics in the field, this article makes important contribution to the entrepreneurship research by identifying 46 topics in the 24-year history of entrepreneurship research and demonstrates how they appear, disappear, reappear and stabilize over time. It also identifies five topics that are persistent across the 24-year study period--institutions and institutional entrepreneurship, innovation and technology management, policy and development, entrepreneurial process and opportunity, and new ventures--which I labeled as The Pentagon of Entrepreneurship. Overall, the analyses revealed patterns of convergence and divergence and the diversity of topics, specialization, and interdisciplinary engagement in entrepreneurship research, thus offering the latest insights on the state of the art of the field.

Fig 1. Design of the scientometric analysis.

Fig 2. Topic clusters of entrepreneurship research 2008–2013 (n = 2444), top half.

Fig 3. Topic clusters of entrepreneurship research 2008–2013 (n = 2444), bottom half.

Fig 4. Author co-citation clusters in entrepreneurship research 2008–2013 (by first author; citation ≥ 20).

Fig 5. Journal-based co-citation clusters in entrepreneurship research 1990–2013 (by journal sources; citation ≥ 20).

Fig 6. Overlay map of “new topics” in entrepreneurship research (1990–2013).

The closer two terms are to each other, the stronger their relations. A normalized scale of 0–2 was used to indicate the newness of publications. Year 2008 was used as the mid-point (score 1). Terms that are used more towards 2013 are shown in orange to red, while terms that are used more towards 1990 are shown in light to dark blue. Each term occurs in at least 10 publications.

Fig 7. Overlay map of overall “hot topics” in entrepreneurship research (1990–2013).

The closer two terms are to each other, the stronger their relations. The size and color of a term indicates, respectively, the number of publications in which the term occurs and the average citation impact of these publications. A normalized scale of 0–2 was used to indicate the average citation impact of publications. Blue indicates a low citation impact, green a normal citation impact, and red a high citation impact. Each term occurs in at least 10 publications.