The Nexus Between Entrepreneurship and Ethics: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

The relationship between entrepreneurship and ethics explores dimensions that entrepreneurs should consider to face ethical dilemmas. One of the controversial points in this relationship is the human complexity and the balance between ethics and profit that characterize the decisions. The external pressure and the scarcity of the resources create entrepreneurs' ethical challenges impacting on strategic and governance decisions from which value should be obtained. Therefore, the nexus between entrepreneurship and ethics should be investigated to understand possible ways to leverage human values in the entrepreneurial actions. To this aim a bibliometric analysis has been carried out and Citespace, VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software have been used. Data have been extracted from Web of Science database in the timespan 1986–2023 generating 583 documents. The analysis shows the current literature published on the relationship between entrepreneurship and ethics by highlighting the main authors, (co)citations, countries, and journals that published papers on the topic. The findings from the four research questions defined shown that the top author publishing on the topic is Prof. Dr Fassin Yves. The most cited scholar is Prof. Spence Laura J. It was also found that the Journal of Business Ethics has the most publications on the topic. The top countries to publish articles on the topic are USA and UK. Five clusters have been found by grouping the main actors, countries and relevant research themes. The cluster on social entrepreneurship research is the main representative the topic. Limitations and future research have been discussed.

Citation

Perano, M., Casali, G.L., Ciasullo, M.V., Del Regno, C. and Pellicano, M. (2024), "The Nexus Between Entrepreneurship and Ethics: A Bibliometric Analysis", Botti, A. and Parente, R. (Ed.) Humane Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Emerald Studies in Sustainable Innovation Management), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 25-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-374-320241003