Dynamics and trends in social entrepreneurship
a bibliometric mapping of the international scientific literature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60144/v7i.2026.187Keywords:
Social entrepreneurship, Bibliometric analysis, International scientific literature, Social valueAbstract
Background: The growth of scientific production on social entrepreneurship requires a better understanding of its evolution and structure within the international academic landscape. Objective: To analyze the international scientific production on social entrepreneurship, identifying the most influential authors, journals, countries, and research trends. Methodology: A bibliometric study was conducted based on 6,200 articles and review papers indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases between 1978 and 2025. Data were analyzed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, focusing on publication patterns, citation performance, and keyword occurrence. Results: The findings indicate exponential growth in scientific production since 2004, with a strong concentration of publications in the United States and the United Kingdom. Thematic analysis highlights the central role of social entrepreneurship and innovation within the field. Conclusions: The field demonstrates a high level of scientific maturity and consolidation. However, important gaps remain, particularly regarding geographic diversity and the measurement of social impact.
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