Entrepreneurial Competencies, Innovation, And Business Sustainability in SMEs: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Research on entrepreneurial competencies, innovation, business incubation, and business sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has expanded significantly in recent years. However, the literature remains conceptually fragmented, with limited integration across these domains. This study addresses this gap by conducting a quantitative bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications. The analysis applies performance indicators and keyword co-occurrence mapping using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, thematic structures, and patterns of international collaboration. The findings reveal a substantial increase in research output over the past decade, accompanied by a gradual shift toward sustainability-oriented SME development. Thematic mapping indicates a growing convergence between entrepreneurial competencies, innovation processes, and sustainability outcomes. Business incubators emerge as key institutional mechanisms that facilitate the transformation of entrepreneurial competencies into innovation capabilities. In particular, business model innovation plays a central role in translating these capabilities into long-term sustainable performance. The results also highlight strong collaboration networks across developed and emerging economies, indicating that sustainability-driven SME research has become a globally interconnected field. Despite this progress, the analysis identifies persistent gaps in theoretical integration and conceptual clarity, particularly regarding the operationalization of entrepreneurial competencies within sustainability frameworks. This study demonstrates that innovation functions as a critical mediating mechanism linking entrepreneurial competencies to business sustainability. It underscores the need for integrative and theory-driven research frameworks that align individual-level capabilities with organizational innovation processes and broader sustainability objectives.