Signaling Theory in Entrepreneurship Research: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

A rapidly expanding body of entrepreneurship literature draws on signaling theory. Yet as the field grows, common understanding of the theory’s underlying constructs has become increasingly fuzzy and riddled with ambiguities. To establish a common ground for entrepreneurship scholars, we take stock of 172 articles in a systematic literature review and develop a taxonomy of signal constructs. In an effort to increase the clarity of signal constructs further, we apply this taxonomy to assess the signal constructs’ boundary conditions, relationships, and interplays with complementary theories in entrepreneurship contexts. Finally, we leverage the novel insights to identify promising opportunities for further theory-based developments in the field.