Understanding the Genesis: A Bibliometric Study of the Emergence of Entrepreneurship in the Circular Economy

Abstract

This study systematically maps the intellectual structure and evolution of entrepreneurship within the Circular Economy (CE) using a bibliometric analysis. A total of 132 peer-reviewed documents published between 2010 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus database on July 10, 2025, using the query string: “TITLEABS- KEY (entrepreneurship AND circular economy)” with filters applied for document type (articles, reviews, conference papers, book chapters), language (English), and publication years (2010–2025). Data were analyzed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19), employing co-authorship, co-occurrence, and overlay visualization parameters to identify thematic clusters and temporal trends. The results reveal a 22.5% annual growth rate and an average document age of 2.42 years, indicating a rapidly emerging field. The most prolific publication outlets include Sustainability, Business Strategy and the Environment, and the Journal of Industrial Ecology. Leading contributors include authors from Indonesia, the EU, and China, with strong international collaboration (32.58%). Keyword clustering identified five dominant themes: (1) CE and sustainable development as foundational concepts, (2) green entrepreneurship and dynamic capabilities, (3) waste management and informal entrepreneurship, (4) circular business models and regional barriers (notably in India), and (5) socio-economic transitions and corporate social responsibility. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers to address regulatory barriers, guide entrepreneurs toward viable circular models, and inform investors about emerging opportunities. Academics are encouraged to pursue integrated, cross-disciplinary research to consolidate fragmented knowledge and advance the field.