Dissecting entrepreneurial team research: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

AbstractDespite the massive volume of published articles, the pool of knowledge on entrepreneurial teams needs to be algorithmically classified and meticulously scrutinised. It is crucial for the field to be historically positioned under relevant themes, internally connected in terms of conceptual foundations, and systematically categorised in consonance with previously utilised frameworks of analysis. These concerns are resolved in this study by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 672 relevant articles. This form of analysis has not been previously employed on the topic of entrepreneurial teams. First, this study identifies eight main thematic clusters in the entrepreneurial teams field and their sub-themes. The eight main thematic clusters are: (i) Intellectual Capital, (ii) Cognition and Behaviour, (iii) Science and Technology, (iv) Finance, (v) Transformation, (vi) Internationalisation, (vii) Family, and (viii) Community and Surroundings. Second, the study reveals the clusters most needing restoration, relations between clusters, and input-mediator-output variables by their respective cluster. In addition, an implied scholarly depiction of entrepreneurial teams is articulated, which can serve as a basis for developing an entrepreneurial teams theory. Finally, promising avenues for future research are suggested for the entire field and every cluster specifically.