Synthesizing Knowledge on Social Entrepreneurship in SMEs: A Dual Bibliometric and Systematic Review Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/kharaj.v8i4.12955Keywords:
Bibliometric Analysis, PRISMA, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)., Social Enterprise, Social Entrepreneurship, Systematic Literature ReviewAbstract
Social entrepreneurship, social innovation, and sustainability are vital drivers for the resilience and long-term viability of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). However, research combining these dimensions often remains fragmented across different academic disciplines. This study systematically maps global publication trends, institutional contributions, thematic structures, and future agendas in this field by employing a hybrid approach that integrates bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review (SLR) based on Scopus data. The refined bibliometric dataset comprises 62 documents published between 2021 and 2025.. Quantitatively, the findings identify the United Kingdom and the United States as leading research hubs, with "social entrepreneurship," "social enterprise," and "sustainability" emerging as the most dominant keyword clusters. Qualitatively, the literature synthesis uncovers critical internal motivational drivers (e.g., founder’s prosocial orientation) and external systemic constraints (e.g., institutional voids and resource scarcity) that dictate how hybrid small firms balance social missions with commercial survival. This study provides a multi-level integrated conceptual framework that bridges macro-scientific trends with micro-level small business operations, offering practical insights for social entrepreneurs and policymakers in emerging economies.
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