Abstract Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices are increasingly vital for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), yet academic research in this field remains fragmented. This study contributes by integrating bibliometric analysis with the theory–context–characteristics–methodology framework to systematically review 51 studies published between 2004 and 2024. Drawing on Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and complemented by backward and forward snowballing, this hybrid approach enables a multidimensional assessment that reveals significant theoretical, contextual, and methodological gaps in ESG–SME research. The findings highlight a recent surge in scholarly activity, with strong geographical concentration in Asia-Pacific and Europe and a sectoral focus on manufacturing and logistics. Critical gaps remain in theory integration, non-financial performance measures, and research on underexplored regions and sectors. By identifying persistent challenges in theoretical, contextual, thematic, and methodological domains, the study advances an enriched framework for ESG research in SMEs and offers practical guidance for SMEs, investors, and policymakers. It lays a foundation for future empirical research and policy innovation to foster sustainable SME development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract Education intricately shapes human behavior, including entrepreneurial endeavors. Recent academic discussions have focused on entrepreneurial education programs and their effects on firm’s performance, thereby overlooking behavioral implications. However, this research domain is particularly important for entrepreneurs without academic entrepreneurship-related education, potentially lacking theoretical skills, knowledge, and access to resources. Adopting grounded theory methodology, this study analyzes interview data from 41 entrepreneurs. The findings demonstrate the interplay of education-related starting challenges, entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial characteristics, influencing entrepreneurial behavior. In a new conceptual framework, the three identified coping mechanisms using self-learning opportunities, learning through practical experience and actively looking for support, play a central role in overcoming potential disadvantages. This study thus contributes to the academic discussion of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior opening various avenues for further research. Furthermore, it provides practical implications for entrepreneurs, policy makers, organizations and institutions.

Abstract Purpose This study proposes a conceptual model to study organizational agility by integrating Dynamic Capabilities and the Competing Values Framework to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and dynamic capabilities and organizational culture within the United Kingdom (UK) smart technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and algorithms (STARA) technology firms. Design/Methodology/Approach Quantitative research was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design, and participants were drawn from different levels of technology firms in the UK. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain more generalised results, and 410 respondents completed the survey. The data were analysed through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS software. Findings Transactional leadership had the most positive relationship with dynamic capabilities, transactional leadership had the most positive relationship with organizational culture, and dynamic capabilities had the most positive relationship with organizational agility. Practical Implications This study indicates that technology firms need to encourage transformational, transactional, and adaptive leadership styles to increase organizational flexibility. Managers should concentrate on building a strong organizational culture and dynamic capabilities that enable organisations to respond quickly to changes in technology and market trends. Originality/Value This study contributes to the literature by applying dynamic capabilities and competing values frameworks to analyse the relationships among leadership styles, organizational culture, dynamic capabilities, and organizational agility in STARA. This study is beneficial for scholars and managers aiming to improve agility in technology-intensive contexts.

Abstract In the digital age, certain digital platforms, such as Google Android and Tencent, have experienced remarkable growth. Nevertheless, other digital platforms encounter severe challenges that contribute to their downfall. The development disparities among digital platforms are primarily attributed to the opportunity set, an aspect still underexplored in the existing research. Based on the Chinese context, this study adopts the dynamic capabilities view to investigate how digital platform capabilities, specifically platform integration and reconfiguration capabilities, influence the opportunity set from the perspective of complementors. Additionally, we examine the moderating impact of governance mechanisms, encompassing formal contracts and relational mechanisms, challenging the prevailing notion that formal contracts always benefit platforms. Drawing insights from survey data including 476 complementors across 48 Chinese digital platforms, our findings reveal that the positive relationship between platform integration capability and the opportunity set is strengthened when formal contracts are employed. However, the positive relationship between platform reconfiguration capability and the opportunity set weakens with formal contracts but strengthens with relational mechanisms. Our study enriches the opportunity set research by empirically revealing the formation mechanism of the opportunity set in digital platforms from the dynamic capabilities view. Furthermore, it extends the application of platform governance literature by introducing nuanced perspectives on the boundary conditions of governance mechanisms in the Chinese context. Ultimately, this paper offers valuable practical insights for platform owners in China, guiding them in enhancing their capabilities and crafting effective governance mechanisms. Simultaneously, it provides direction for Chinese complementors to leverage both formal and informal relationships with platform owners, effectively transforming digital platform capabilities into the opportunity set.

Abstract Boomerang entrepreneurs (practicing and nascent entrepreneurs who return to their declining home cities after years away) may especially be an answer to the brain drain, suppressed innovation, and often tepid entrepreneurial ecosystem condition that plague declining cities such as U.S. Rust Belt cities. This conceptual article addresses how the declining home city’s place image might inform and promote a boomerang entrepreneur’s return migration and venturing decisions and with what implications for the place’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Even given homesickness, this kind of return migration is unlikely unless prospective boomerang entrepreneurs revise their place images of their old hometowns. We conceptually develop and support propositions on the relationships between place image and brain drain, between affect and both place image revision and entrepreneurial intentions, and between place image revision and both return migration intentions and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. We also discuss implications for microfoundations of entrepreneurial ecosystems in declining cities, place branding that can encourage boomerang entrepreneurs’ place image revision and return migration to the declining home city, and related research data collection.

Abstract The resource curse hypothesis supposes that rents generated by resource booms create opportunities for rent-seeking activities, which weaken innovation and economic development due to the potentially adverse effects in competitive markets. The quality of institutions is an important channel to transform society from a rent-seeking economy to an entrepreneurial economy. We address in this paper these channels by examining necessity, opportunity, productive and innovative measures of entrepreneurship. Using annual data from 2002 to 2017, we estimate the relationship between entrepreneurship and natural resource rents for 60 countries. Allowing for measures of institutions (corruption, government policies, and cultural and social norms) and real GDP growth, we find that natural resource rents have negative effects on productive and innovative entrepreneurship, especially in high-income countries. In threshold dynamic panels, entrepreneurial activities grow with higher levels of corruption (weaker institutions), with an interpretation provided based on the higher corruption in developing economies.

Abstract Despite an increased interest in crises within the field of entrepreneurship, there is still a lack of understanding about the interplay between different types of crises and entrepreneurship. In addition, the specific circumstances surrounding each type of crisis may also cause the conclusions of these studies to diverge or converge. To enhance our theoretical understanding of entrepreneurship during times of crisis, our review seeks to answer the following research questions: (1) How are the different types of crises addressed in entrepreneurship literature, and what similarities and differences exist? (2) How can we broaden our understanding and deepen our insights into the relationship between a crisis and entrepreneurship? In an effort to review the largest possible variety of crises that extends beyond political crises, natural disasters, and financial crises, we have also included a number of recent studies that examined COVID-19 from an entrepreneurial perspective. Following this, our study identifies six types of crises along with corresponding research themes, key findings, and critical shortcomings. This review also identifies multiple research gaps and suggests several future research directions, as well as theoretical approaches that researchers can take to build upon existing discussions surrounding entrepreneurship in times of crisis.

Abstract This article builds on the stressor-strain-outcome framework to explain how entrepreneurial stressors (stressor) and emotional exhaustion (strain) hinder the growth intentions of women entrepreneurs (outcome). A stress-buffering hypothesis is also used to explain how peer support can buffer the entrepreneurial stressor – emotional exhaustion – growth intention relationship. Using a sample of 300 South African women entrepreneurs, our evidence demonstrates that in addition to a significant direct effect on growth intentions, entrepreneurial stressors also contribute to an increase in emotional exhaustion. This, in turn, hinders the growth intentions of women entrepreneurs. We argue that peer support plays a vital buffering role by significantly reducing the effect of entrepreneurial stressors on emotional exhaustion, shielding women entrepreneurs from the adverse effects of entrepreneurial stressors upon venture growth intentions. Finally, implications for theory and practice are discussed.