Innovation, Sustainability, and Social Entrepreneurship: A Bibliometric Review of Global Research Trends (2015–2025)

Authors

Keywords:

Sustainability Innovation, Strategic Management, Social Enterprise, Innovation Management, Vosviewer

Abstract

Social entrepreneurship has emerged as a critical mechanism for addressing complex societal and sustainability challenges, yet the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of the field remain fragmented. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global social entrepreneurship research published between 2015 and 2025 using 12,438 Scopus-indexed documents. Bibliometric indicators including publication growth, citation performance, productive authors, institutions, countries, journals, and keyword co-occurrence networks were analyzed using VOSviewer. The findings reveal a substantial and sustained increase in research productivity, particularly following the global adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United States, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom emerged as the most influential contributors, while leading journals demonstrated strong interdisciplinary integration across entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation studies. Thematic analysis identified social innovation, digital transformation, governance, sustainability, and hybrid business models as dominant and emerging research fronts. Co-authorship and country collaboration networks further indicated the growing internationalization of the field, although significant regional imbalances persist. The study contributes to the literature by providing an updated intellectual and thematic mapping of social entrepreneurship research during a decade characterized by rapid digital and sustainability transitions. The findings offer valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and innovation practitioners seeking to understand future directions in social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and sustainable innovation management.

Author Biographies

  • Abdulrahman Almuta'ani, Development Extension, Community Empowerment Program, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret

    PhD Candidate Student on Development Extension, Community Empowerment Program, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret.

  • Bandi, Development Extension, Community Empowerment Program, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret

    Prof. Dr. Bandi is a lecturer in the Development Extension and Community Empowerment Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Sebelas Maret.

  • Sapja Anantanyu, Development Extension, Community Empowerment Program, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret

    Dr. Sapja is a head of department of doctoral of Development Extension and Community Empowerment Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Sebelas Maret.

  • Sri Hanggana, Development Extension, Community Empowerment Program, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret

    Prof. Dr. Sri Hanggana is a lecturer in the Development Extension and Community Empowerment Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Sebelas Maret.

  • Najm Al Deen Moneer Hilal, Department of Environmental Science, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret

    PhD Candidate Student on Environmental Science Program, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret.

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Published

2026-09-14

Issue

APSKI ICE Vol 04, Ed 01 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 APSKI International Conference on Association of Indonesian Entrepreneurship Study Programs

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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