Manufacturing Innovation and the Role of Entrepreneurship

This review examines the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in fostering innovation within manufacturing industries. This article synthesises theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented insights. I explore how entrepreneurial activities, whether through independent start-ups, SMEs, or intrapreneurship within established firms, act as critical catalysts for technological upgrading in manufacturing sectors. The analysis integrates innovation theory, the knowledge spillover perspective, and entrepreneurial ecosystem frameworks, while also emphasising the embedding of entrepreneurship within institutional contexts. Our findings reveal that the effectiveness of entrepreneurial-led manufacturing innovation is highly contingent on factors such as ecosystem health, networks, policy design, and cultural milieu. The review identifies key debates regarding the quality versus quantity of entrepreneurship, the optimal role of the state in ecosystem development, and contextual nuances influencing entrepreneurial outcomes. Emerging research frontiers including digital manufacturing entrepreneurship, comparative ecosystem studies, and multi-level dynamic analyses are proposed as promising avenues for future inquiry. In conclusion, the article asserts that entrepreneurship remains a linchpin of manufacturing innovation, but realising its full potential requires a nuanced orchestration of formal institutions, social capital, firm-level capabilities, and policy interventions aligned with sustainable development goals.