IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v34y2026is1p1501-1523.html

Mapping the Uncharted: Theoretical and Methodological Gaps in Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research

Author

Listed:
  • Maiara Lais Marcon
  • Tais Provensi
  • Elisete Aparecida Ferreira Stenger
  • Graciele Tonial
  • Simone Sehnem

Abstract

Sustainable entrepreneurship is regarded as a solution to ecological challenges. The field has evolved from social and environmental entrepreneurship, giving rise to a new research domain that still lacks theoretical and methodological consensus. The literature on sustainable entrepreneurship is expanding; however, significant divergences persist in definitions, and methodological limitations contribute to the field's ambiguity. This article presents a systematic literature review focusing on the epistemology and methodological approaches of studies on sustainable entrepreneurship. Using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, the review identified 244 articles, of which 54 were selected for content analysis. The findings highlight the need for empirical research that extends beyond conceptual discussions, proposing novel methodological approaches and underscoring the importance of understanding the long‐term impacts of sustainable entrepreneurship on broader systems. The study concludes by outlining future research directions, underscoring the necessity of epistemological and methodological advancements in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship.

Suggested Citation

  • Maiara Lais Marcon & Tais Provensi & Elisete Aparecida Ferreira Stenger & Graciele Tonial & Simone Sehnem, 2026. "Mapping the Uncharted: Theoretical and Methodological Gaps in Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 1501-1523, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:s1:p:1501-1523
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70239
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70239
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.70239?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hockerts, Kai & Wüstenhagen, Rolf, 2010. "Greening Goliaths versus emerging Davids -- Theorizing about the role of incumbents and new entrants in sustainable entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 481-492, September.
    2. Anand, Amitabh & Argade, Padmaja & Barkemeyer, Ralf & Salignac, Fanny, 2021. "Trends and patterns in sustainable entrepreneurship research: A bibliometric review and research agenda," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(3).
    3. Cohen, Boyd & Winn, Monika I., 2007. "Market imperfections, opportunity and sustainable entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 29-49, January.
    4. Parrish, Bradley D., 2010. "Sustainability-driven entrepreneurship: Principles of organization design," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 510-523, September.
    5. Christine Volkmann & Klaus Fichter & Magnus Klofsten & David B. Audretsch, 2021. "Sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems: an emerging field of research," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1047-1055, February.
    6. Paul, Justin & Criado, Alex Rialp, 2020. "The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    7. Dike Ike, 2025. "Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Emergence: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(S1), pages 1200-1214, November.
    8. Muhammad Salman Shabbir, 2023. "Exploring the relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship and the United Nations sustainable development goals: A comprehensive literature review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 3070-3085, August.
    9. Saras D. Sarasvathy & Sankaran Venkataraman, 2011. "Entrepreneurship as Method: Open Questions for an Entrepreneurial Future," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(1), pages 113-135, January.
    10. Hall, Jeremy K. & Daneke, Gregory A. & Lenox, Michael J., 2010. "Sustainable development and entrepreneurship: Past contributions and future directions," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 439-448, September.
    11. Fatimata Ly-Baro & John M. York & Orsolya Ihasz, 2025. "Seeking for effectiveness of sustainability entrepreneurial education programs: A multiple case analysis," Journal of the International Council for Small Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(2), pages 297-310, April.
    12. Muñoz, Pablo & Dimov, Dimo, 2015. "The call of the whole in understanding the development of sustainable ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 632-654.
    13. Pacheco, Desirée F. & Dean, Thomas J. & Payne, David S., 2010. "Escaping the green prison: Entrepreneurship and the creation of opportunities for sustainable development," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 464-480, September.
    14. Audley Genus, 2021. "Sustainable entrepreneurship research in the 2020s: An introduction," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 1419-1422, March.
    15. Cristian Negrutiu & Cristinel Vasiliu & Calcedonia Enache, 2020. "Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Transport and Retail Supply Chain Sector," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-12, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Paul P. Momtaz & Isabel M. Parra, 2025. "Is sustainable entrepreneurship profitable? ESG disclosure and the financial performance of SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 1535-1564, April.
    2. Aikaterini Argyrou & Nicolas Chevrollier & Andre Nijhof, 2023. "The versatile role of sustainable market entrepreneurs in market transformation: An intervention framework for institutional change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 259-273, January.
    3. Denise Fischer & Malte Brettel & René Mauer, 2020. "The Three Dimensions of Sustainability: A Delicate Balancing Act for Entrepreneurs Made More Complex by Stakeholder Expectations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 87-106, April.
    4. Alice Civera & Michele Meoli, 2025. "Sustainability orientation of academic spinoffs: does it pay?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 65(3), pages 1727-1753, October.
    5. DiVito, Lori & Bohnsack, René, 2017. "Entrepreneurial orientation and its effect on sustainability decision tradeoffs: The case of sustainable fashion firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 569-587.
    6. Ameer, Farah & Khan, Naveed R., 2023. "Green entrepreneurial orientation and corporate environmental performance: A systematic literature review," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(5), pages 755-778.
    7. Mansouri, Sasan & Momtaz, Paul P., 2022. "Financing sustainable entrepreneurship: ESG measurement, valuation, and performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(6).
    8. Marcela Contreras Cruz & Karim Messeghem & Alexis Catanzaro, 2024. "Environmental entrepreneurship: a bibliometric perspective of the field," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 451-477, March.
    9. Lori DiVito & Zita Ingen-Housz, 2021. "From individual sustainability orientations to collective sustainability innovation and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1057-1072, February.
    10. Matthew P. Johnson & Jacob Hörisch, 2022. "Reinforcing or counterproductive behaviors for sustainable entrepreneurship? The influence of causation and effectuation on sustainability orientation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 908-920, March.
    11. Anand, Amitabh & Argade, Padmaja & Barkemeyer, Ralf & Salignac, Fanny, 2021. "Trends and patterns in sustainable entrepreneurship research: A bibliometric review and research agenda," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(3).
    12. Eduard-Gabriel Ceptureanu & Sebastian-Ion Ceptureanu & Mihai Cristian Orzan & Ovidiu Niculae Bordean & Violeta Radulescu, 2017. "Empirical Study on Sustainable Opportunities Recognition. A Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Joinery Industry Analysis Using Augmented Sustainable Development Process Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-36, September.
    13. Pablo Muñoz & Boyd Cohen, 2018. "Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research: Taking Stock and looking ahead," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 300-322, March.
    14. Presley K. Wesseh & Boqiang Lin & Yixuan Zhang & Preslyn Sharon Wesseh, 2024. "Sustainable entrepreneurship: When does environmental compliance improve corporate performance?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3203-3221, May.
    15. Carolin Maaßen & Tatiana Lopez & David Urbano, 2025. "Institutional enablers for sustainable entrepreneurship: a configurational analysis," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 65(3), pages 1909-1930, October.
    16. Torbjörn Ljungkvist & Jim Andersén, 2021. "A taxonomy of ecopreneurship in small manufacturing firms: A multidimensional cluster analysis," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1374-1388, February.
    17. Heshmati, Almas, 2015. "A Review of the Circular Economy and its Implementation," IZA Discussion Papers 9611, IZA Network @ LISER.
    18. Matthew P. Johnson & Stefan Schaltegger, 2020. "Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development: A Review and Multilevel Causal Mechanism Framework," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(6), pages 1141-1173, November.
    19. Dike Ike, 2025. "Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Emergence: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(S1), pages 1200-1214, November.
    20. Muñoz, Pablo & Dimov, Dimo, 2015. "The call of the whole in understanding the development of sustainable ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 632-654.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:s1:p:1501-1523. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.