International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (54 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• The push and pull of womens entrepreneurial aspirations  
  by Meghna Chhabra, Laurent Vilaine, Rahul Pratap Singh Kaurav, Daniel Suissa, Ridhi Khattar 
  Abstract: This study explores women’s entrepreneurial motivations and challenges in a cosmopolitan Indian city, focusing on how formal and informal institutions shape their experiences. Through in-depth interviews with 16 female entrepreneurs and an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), key themes were identified to understand the institutional dynamics at play. The findings indicate that informal institutions, such as family support and cultural norms, positively influence entrepreneurial motivations, while formal challenges, including limited access to external financing and a lack of awareness of government support, present notable barriers. Moreover, the study revealed a distinct influence of societal recognition, personal networks, and role models as motivational drivers, with women expressing a strong desire for financial independence and self-identity. However, bureaucratic challenges and gendered stereotypes hinder full access to resources, underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions. This study contributes to the literature on female entrepreneurship by providing a nuanced view of the institutional factors impacting womens business pursuits in emerging economies. Policy recommendations emphasise improving awareness of government programs, expanding financial access, and promoting gender-sensitive policies to foster inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
  Keywords: formal institutions; informal institutions; institutional theory; women entrepreneurs; entrepreneurial barriers; entrepreneurial motives.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071424
   
  
• Assessing women empowerment through self-help groups: a scientometric and altmetric perspectives  
  by Jatin Kumar Jaiswal, Shivani Singh, Pooja Kumari 
  Abstract: This study is the first to carry out a detailed analysis of 765 English-language documents published from 1950 to August 2024, using data from the Dimensions database. The main goal is to examine how research on women’s empowerment through self-help groups (SHGs) has changed over time, identify new trends, and look at the connections between citation counts, altmetric attention scores (AAS), and Mendeley readership. Additionally, co-citation analysis and bibliographic coupling were performed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 framework. Gephi software helped with scientometric analysis, while SPSS and Excel were used for altmetric analysis. The results showed a positive link between citations, AAS, and Mendeley readership, with World Development being the most productive source. Seven key themes were found, highlighting how SHGs empower women through economic, social, political, and entrepreneurial growth, while also addressing issues related to financial inclusion, health, and sustainability.
  Keywords: women’s empowerment; self-help group; SHG; scientometric analysis; altmetric analysis; grand challenges; sustainable development goals; Gephi; SPSS; PRISMA framework; altmetric attention scores; AAS.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071509
   
  
• Artificial intelligence surveillance in entrepreneurship and small businesses: how fairness and transparency shape employee stress and job satisfaction  
  by Manuha Nagpal, Nivedita Singh, Srinivasa Krishna Prasad Buravelli, Neelu Tiwari, Neetu Rani 
  Abstract: This study employed organisational justice theory to understand both the intensity of the AI systems' surveillance and the perceived invasiveness on employee outcomes, mediated by employees' perceived fairness and transparency, placing trust in AI as moderating variable. Using a qualitative research design with small business employees and entrepreneurs, this study found the intensity and perceived invasiveness of AI-systems surveillance drastically reduced employees' perceived fairness and transparency increased stress and reduced job satisfaction. However, the presence of a high degree of trust in the AI systems not only ameliorated the impact of the intensity of the surveillance activity and perceptions of fairness, but it also extended the literature on organisational justice theory in small business, technologically-mediated work contexts. The research recognises that small businesses need to foster transparent communication, procedural fairness, and trust, to buffer against the negative impacts of AI entities surveilling the workforce.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; surveillance; invasiveness; fairness; transparency; job satisfaction; small business; entrepreneurship.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071777
   
  
• Bibliometric analysis on indigenous entrepreneurship: tracing the past, present and future directions in the Indian context  
  by Kumar Gaurav, Jogeswar Mahato, Nishant Sinha 
  Abstract: Indigenous entrepreneurship has become crucial for poverty alleviation for the indigenous or tribal due to their socio-economic marginalisation. In the context of globalisation, several policies, initiatives, and activities have been implemented for the benefit of indigenous entrepreneurship. However, academic studies on indigenous entrepreneurship are relatively less and unexplored. Thus, the present study has conducted a bibliometric analysis to gain in-depth structural insights into the topic and to popularise the concept of indigenous entrepreneurship. The present study has examined 255 research articles on indigenous entrepreneurship published between 2003 and 2023 that are retrieved from the Scopus database. The research articles were analysed using Biblioshiny and VOS Viewer, two popular applications of bibliometric analysis. The findings of the study will serve as an essential and valuable resource for the academicians and policy professionals engaged in indigenous entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the study will help scholars to grasp the peculiarities of indigenous entrepreneurship.
  Keywords: entrepreneurship; indigenous; tribal; communities; bibliometric analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071813
   
  
• Women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan: from opportunities to oppression  
  by Masihullah Nemat, Chitra Krishnan 
  Abstract: The rise of the womens enterprising community in recent decades has piqued the interest of many governmental and non-governmental organisations. Women play an essential role in entrepreneurship, making significant socioeconomic contributions in many countries. This study seeks to examine the social, economic, and cultural factors that limit womens participation in entrepreneurship in Afghanistan. It highlights how women are restricted in their enterprises due to low education standards, scarce resources, and cultural constraints. Using interviews and a questionnaire survey, this study identifies the challenges faced by Afghan women entrepreneurs and offers strategic recommendations for fostering the development of their business ventures. The findings reveal the persistent strength and creativity of Afghan women, which may be hindered if these challenges remain unaddressed. Suggestions for improvement include expanding educational opportunities, providing fundraising support, promoting professional networks, and implementing legal reforms. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and explores potential strategies to support their growth and success.
  Keywords: Afghanistan; women entrepreneurship; cultural factors; legal changes; educational opportunities; women’s enterprising community; WEC.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071945
   
  
• Financial literacy and FinTech adoption: a path to empowering small business entrepreneurs in Indian emerging market  
  by Deepika Chaudhary, Deepak Bansal, Sapna Yadav, Devkanya Gupta 
  Abstract: This study examined how financial literacy affected FinTech adoption and financial empowerment, among small business entrepreneurs in an emerging market. Using a mediation-moderation framework, the study highlights the role of FinTech adoption as a mediator and gender as a moderator on the adoption. The study gathered data from 220 respondents in the Delhi NCR region of India and utilized PLS-SEM 4.0 to test hypotheses. The results of the study confirmed the important role of financial literacy as a predictor of FinTech adoption and financial empowerment for entrepreneurs. The study also indicates that irrespective of gender, a person should benefit more when allowed FinTech engagement. This study also offers implications that will provide a framework to policy-makers attempting to address gaps in FinTech potential usage for micro and small businesses and as a result, deconstruct barriers to financial inclusion for small business entrepreneurship in emerging markets to achieving gender equity.
  Keywords: financial literacy; FinTech adoption; financial empowerment; small businesses; emerging markets.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10072290
   
  
• Sustainability and stability through gender-diverse boards in SMEs  
  by Charbel Salloum, Renato Pereira, Naguib Omar, Summeya Gafur, Vânia Janela 
  Abstract: This study examines the impact of board gender diversity on the financial performance and stability of Portuguese SMEs, drawing on resource dependence theory. Using a cross-sectional survey of 224 SMEs between 2022 and 2024, results show that board gender diversity significantly enhances profitability, measured by return on assets, and reduces earnings volatility. The findings further reveal that internal control quality and sustainability commitment positively moderate the relationship between board gender diversity and financial outcomes, strengthening the firm’s strategic capacity. Robustness tests, including bootstrapped standard errors and alternative diversity measures, confirm the stability of the results. This research extends resource dependence theory to smaller firms and demonstrates that diversity’s benefits depend critically on internal governance structures and stakeholder engagement practices. For SME managers, board diversity emerges as a strategic lever for growth and resilience rather than mere compliance. Policymakers are encouraged to support capacity-building initiatives that integrate diversity, governance quality, and sustainability frameworks. Overall, the study highlights that gender-diverse boards, when embedded within robust governance systems, substantially improve SME competitiveness, stability, and strategic adaptability. Future research should explore longitudinal dynamics and intersectional diversity effects across different institutional and industry contexts.
  Keywords: board gender diversity; financial performance; internal control quality; sustainability commitment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10073343
   
  
• Data driven business strategies among healthcare entrepreneurs  
  by Anjita Srivastava, Anubha Srivastava, Yashmita Awasthi, Aakanksha Uppal, Barkha Kakkar 
  Abstract: This paper aims to study various data-driven strategies among healthcare entrepreneurs to access fetal health, reduce maternal and infant mortality using data-driven strategies such as Artificial Intelligence. The purpose of this study is achieved by taking into account data comprising 2,126 records to classify fetal health into three categories: normal, suspect, and pathological, using tools such as Decision Tree, Logistic Regression. The study found that managers can use data-driven insights to drive digital transformation, tailor service offerings, and gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem. Integrating predictive analytics into business operations not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also improves resource allocation and operational efficiency. The findings of this study offer actionable insights on how healthcare practitioners can benefit from data-driven strategies. For healthcare entrepreneurs and decision-makers, this research underscores the strategic value of adopting AI-based technologies in service delivery.
  Keywords: healthcare entrepreneurs; artificial intelligence; decision tree; logistic regression.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10073686
   
  
• Navigating foreignness: migrant entrepreneurship in the shadow of xenophobia and Afrophobia  
  by Blessing Tafirenyika, Erisher Woyo, Andreas Kallmuenzer, Veland Ramadani 
  Abstract: African migrant entrepreneurs in Namibia navigate challenges of xenophobia and Afrophobia as a specific form of foreignness to achieve entrepreneurial success. This study explores the strategies they use to mitigate social exclusion, legal barriers, and economic marginalisation to achieve entrepreneurial success. Using a qualitative approach, 25 African migrant entrepreneurs were interviewed to analyse their lived experiences. Findings reveal that, despite significant challenges, entrepreneurs leverage transnational networks, digital platforms, niche markets, and resilience to adapt and thrive. The findings emphasise how foreignness, when combined with societal “otherness,” influences entrepreneurial outcomes in intra-African contexts, where competition for resources and unemployment fuels xenophobic and Afrophobic sentiments. Our findings offer insights into broader migration and entrepreneurship dynamics. Furthermore, by shifting attention from Western migration narratives to intra-African experiences, this study fills theoretical gaps in migration studies, entrepreneurship, and foreignness theory. Future studies could explore similar patterns in other African or global xenophobic environments.
  Keywords: xenophobia; Afrophobia; migrant entrepreneurs; transnational networks; digital platforms; Africa.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10073950
   
  
• Shaping SME success through gender diversity  
  by Renato Pereira, Charbel Salloum, M. Naguib Omar, Summeya Gafur, Alice Shuman 
  Abstract: This study explores the impact of board gender diversity (BGD) on the financial performance of SMEs in Portugal, with a focus on family-owned businesses, framed within agency theory. It hypothesises that gender-diverse boards improve firm performance by enhancing governance, decision-making, and aligning managerial interests with shareholder objectives. The research examines how gender diversity influences various performance indicators, particularly profitability, and investigates the moderating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. A quantitative approach was adopted, using survey data from SMEs across Portugal. Financial performance is assessed through return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), with independent variables including board gender diversity, corporate governance practices, and stakeholder engagement. The study finds that CSR moderates the relationship between gender diversity and financial outcomes, offering new insights into how gender-diverse boards can foster sustainable business practices. This research contributes to the literature by focusing on SMEs, a sector underrepresented in existing studies and emphasises the growing importance of gender diversity in corporate governance. The findings have practical implications for policymakers, business owners, and managers aiming to integrate gender diversity and CSR strategies to enhance governance and improve financial performance in the Portuguese SME sector.
  Keywords: board gender diversity; BGD; SMEs; financial performance; corporate social responsibility; CSR.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10074134
   
  
• Small Italian popular banks for small and medium-sized enterprises: evaluations of their performance  
  by Guido Migliaccio, Francesca Zerillo 
  Abstract: The study analyses the Italian cooperative banks that have maintained the cooperative form between 2013 and 2023, in a context characterised by the 2015 reform of the sector, the pandemic crisis and increasing digitisation. With statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer), the dynamics of growth, profitability and capitalisation were examined and the territorial differences between the three macro-areas of the country (North, Center, South and Islands). In particular, the trend of total assets, profit margin and Tier 1 ratio was studied. The results show a fair amount of capital resilience and some performance heterogeneity, with critical issues localised in some areas. However, cooperative banks are essential in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and diversifying the banking system. This has theoretical implications for prudential governance and practical implications for regulatory policies. Small cooperative banks can be a credible alternative to banking concentration, strengthening the economic and social cohesion of the territories.
  Keywords: cooperative banks; financial performance; profitability analysis; Tier 1 ratio; ANOVA; Tukey-Kramer test; financial resilience; banking regulation; economic geography; digital banking.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10074243
   
  
• Unveiling the link between social capital, opportunity recognition, and entrepreneurial intention in flower industry of Bangladesh  
  by Imtiaz Masroor, Md. Nur Alam, Sadia Tasneem, Tamalika Bala 
  Abstract: Social capital plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic dynamics of communities, contributing to increased diversity, productivity, job creation, and overall economic development. This study examines how social capital influences entrepreneurial intention within the Bangladeshi flower industry. Employing a quantitative survey with selected 148 flower growers from Jhikargacha upazila, Jashore and employing a mix of convenience and snowball sampling methods, this study reveals a positive and significant association between social capital and both entrepreneurial intention and opportunity recognition. This finding suggests that social networks, collaborations, and access to resources through social capital can promote opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial intention within the flower industry. By demonstrating the multifaceted impact of social capital on entrepreneurial behaviour in a specific context, this study contributes to our understanding of social capital theory and offers practical insights for stakeholders aiming to support flower growers’ entrepreneurial endeavours.
  Keywords: social capital; entrepreneurial intention; opportunity recognition; entrepreneurial ecosystem; flower industry.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10074283
   
  
• Empowering Mountain Communities: Role of Village Agricultural Cooperatives in Stimulating Agri-Entrepreneurship among Himalayan Smallholders  
  by Ghulam Raza, Jan Kratzer, Zaheer Abbas 
  Abstract: The Himalayan smallholders encounter numerous challenges that hinder their access to entrepreneurial opportunities. Village Agricultural Cooperatives (VACs) have emerged as vital institutions to address smallholders' constraints through collective actions. Employing a qualitative case study approach, this research examines the role and contributions of VACs in stimulating agricultural entrepreneurship. The findings reveal that VACs play a crucial role in stimulating agricultural entrepreneurship. They support smallholders through resource mobilisation, capacity building, market integration, and fostering social capital, thus enhancing agricultural entrepreneurship and contributing to their economic empowerment. By contextualising entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on the rarely studied Himalayan context with a specific emphasis on underrepresented marginalised smallholders, this study contributes to the literature on agricultural entrepreneurship, as well as collective action, social capital, human capital, and resource-based theories. Additionally, the study has significant implications for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to promote agricultural entrepreneurship to improve the livelihoods of marginalised rural communities.
  Keywords: Agricultural entrepreneurship; Cooperatives; Smallholders; Collective Actions; Social Capital; Himalayan region; Gilgit-Baltistan; Pakistan.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10074426
   
  
• Empowering Communities with Social Entrepreneurship  
  by Ines Ben Chikha, Jamila Abaidi Hasnaoui, Miriam R. Aziz, Marion Polge, Roy Matta 
  Abstract: This study explores the growing role of social entrepreneurship in addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges, highlighting its potential to generate a long-term positive impact. It further underscores the importance of social entrepreneurship for sustainable development. It demonstrates how its economic, social, and environmental missions foster innovation, inclusion, and community resilience. The findings emphasize the need to actively support social entrepreneurship by strengthening public policies, adapting financial mechanisms, and fostering strategic collaborations. Encouraging entrepreneurs to engage in sustainable initiatives thus emerges as a key driver for transitioning toward a more equitable and responsible economy. Finally, future research should empirically test this model and analyse its impact across different cultural contexts. This would help assess its effectiveness, identify success factors, and adapt support strategies accordingly.
  Keywords: Social entrepreneurship; economic mission; social mission; environmental mission; economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; sustainable development.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10074533
   
  
• Pharmaceutical entrepreneurship as an important driver of foreign institutional investors: a comprehensive business analysis  
  by Rahul Mohan, Deepika Chaudhary, Manmohan Chaudhry, Mohd Rafiq Shah 
  Abstract: This study examines the relationship between financial performance indicators and Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) holdings in ten Nifty Pharma companies from 2021 to 2025. Using comprehensive financial ratios and FII holding data, we employ advanced statistical techniques including Spearman rank correlation, multiple linear regression, augmented Dickey-Fuller tests, and Granger causality analysis across five hypothesis categories. Our findings reveal that Net Profit Margin demonstrates the strongest correlation with FII holdings (ρ = 0.8123, p<0.001), challenging traditional pharmaceutical investment assumptions. All profitability ratios show strong positive correlations (100% hypothesis validation), while leverage metrics exhibit moderate negative relationships. The multiple regression model explains 51.47% of variance in FII holdings, significantly outperforming single-metric approaches. This research provides valuable insights into institutional investor behaviour in pharmaceutical sectors during the post-COVID period, offering strategic guidance for investment decisions and corporate financial management in healthcare industries.
  Keywords: foreign institutional investors; FIIs; financial performance; Nifty Pharma; financial ratios; investment behaviour; healthcare sector.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10075418
   
  
• Mapping the Metaverse: a comprehensive bibliometric review of digital transformation and entrepreneurship in virtual realms  
  by Dharen Kumar Pandey, Amir Hasnaoui, Marion Polge, Mayank Yuvaraj, Jatin Kumar Jaiswal 
  Abstract: This study explores the metaverse as a dynamic digital environment that facilitates the digital transformation of entrepreneurial practices through the integration of virtual, augmented, and extended reality platforms. Utilizing bibliometric analysis, we analyze 207 scholarly articles published between 1989 and 2024. Our findings reveal significant trends and identify leading publications, authors, and countries. Additionally, we uncover six primary research themes: (1) Exploring Innovation, Technology Adoption, and Social Dynamics; (2) Exploring Emerging Frontiers in Digital Entrepreneurship; (3) Exploring Entrepreneurship in a Virtual World; (4) Entrepreneurial Dynamics in the Age of Technological Advancement; (5) Digital Transformation in Education and Business; and (6) Exploring Innovative Approaches in Entrepreneurship Education. Furthermore, we propose 20 future research directions. By framing the discussion around digital transformation, this review highlights the metaverse’s role in reshaping traditional business models and catalyzing systemic change in entrepreneurial practices, thereby providing a valuable roadmap for both academic inquiry and practical application.
  Keywords: Metaverse; digital transformation; entrepreneurship; bibliometric analysis; virtual realms; digital economy; systematic review; future research directions.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10075419
   
  
• Current trends and future agendas in tribal entrepreneurship research: a bibliometric analysis  
  by Dharen Pandey 
  Abstract: This bibliometric analysis comprehensively examines the tribal entrepreneurship literature from 1978 to 2024, focusing on publication trends, influential documents, and key themes. The findings reveal a significant increase in research output from 2001 onwards, with notable contributions from developed countries like the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Influential documents highlight the role of culture, innovation, and economic development in tribal communities, with scholars like Tapsell, P. and Woods, C. shaping the field. The Journal of Enterprising Communities and the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business are the major contributing journals. The literature is segregated into seven thematic clusters focusing on sustainable growth, entrepreneurial challenges, and innovation. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research directions to address these gaps and enhance tribal entrepreneurship's sustainability and growth.
  Keywords: tribal entrepreneurs; tribal entrepreneurship; tribal enterprises; tribal sovereignty; tribal women.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10075515
   
  
• Delving into backers’ motivations in donation-based crowd-funding: insights from a biodiversity conservation case study  
  by Thibault Cuénoud , Rey Dang, L’Hocine Houanti , Jean-Michel Sahut 
  Abstract: Confronted with the impact of anthropisation on biodiversity and its environment, crowd-funding (CF) can assist with funding shortfalls in environment preservation. However, little is known regarding sustainable crowdfunding. To fill this gap, this study examines a crowdfunding project focused on biodiversity (reforestation). Specifically, we examine backers’ altruism, the founder’s social capital, and gender bias. Firstly, we find that backers’ altruism is not significantly correlated to their contributions, even for this type of project with an environmental objective. Secondly, we reveal that the founder’s social capital is positively and significantly correlated to backers’ contributions. Thirdly, our results suggest that female backers are less likely to contribute financially to this type of project. These results may help entrepreneurs and platforms to find a means of funding these projects.
  Keywords: crowdfunding; sustainability; biodiversity; gender; social media; altruism.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10075802
   
  
• A historical approach to ‘Customer-Value’ and its usage in pricing: the case of the ibudrarn traders of Ammeln valley in Southern Morocco  
  by Stan Idelsen 
  Abstract: Pricing methods’ history reveals a striking analogy in paradigms, despite an apparent disruption in cultural heritage, between pre-industrial and post-industrial capitalist structures... It is still evidenced in the trading practices of the traditional Amazigh (Berber) traders (ibudrarn) from Tafraout in the Ammeln Valley in the middle of the Anti-Atlas Mountains (Souss). As a methodology, we analysed the roots of the genuine words they use in Tashelhiyt / Tashelhit to better understand the ‘representations’ behind them. Their bargaining rituals can be compared to modern Price Sensitivity when communicating Value. Their practices of ‘aggregate profits’ and billing based on the customers’ ability to pay, respectively aligned with the modern B2B concepts of ‘Contribution’ and ‘Customer-Perceived-Value’, convergence with other middleman minorities around the world. While the practice of Cost-plus pricing is generally associated with modern industrial societies, the post-industrial related Value-Based Business Management and Pricing strategies relate to indigenous communities’ entrepreneurship.
  Keywords: Amazigh; Berber; Tashelhit; Tafraout; Ammeln; contribution; customer-value; value-based business; customer perceived value; pricing; ethnic business; middleman minorities.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10076093
   
  
• The digital transformation journey from an entrepreneurial start-up to a stock-listed firm  
  by Waheed Akbar Bhatti, Mario Glowik, Agnieszka Chwialkowska, Per Servais 
  Abstract: While existing literature sheds light on the internationalisation of entrepreneurial ventures at their inception, the transformation process of digital ventures remains under-researched. In this study, we investigate how successful digital ventures identify opportunities as they grow and expand globally, from small digital start-ups to stock-listed firms. Based on an in-depth case study analysis addressing a maturing digital start-up’s internationalisation process, this work conceptualises how international ventures identify and exploit internationalisation opportunities through entrepreneurial relationship learning and sensemaking. Our study expands the debate on the role of entrepreneurial dynamic capabilities in the internationalisation process of a maturing venture and developing its sustainable competitive advantage. We highlight entrepreneurial dynamic capabilities fundamental to the venture transformation journey from a small start-up to a stock-listed company. In particular, we reveal three distinct stages of the start-up development and transformation process and discuss the enabling role of the entrepreneur at each stage. As a result, we recommend future research directions and provide managerial implications for the successful international expansion of digital ventures from the start-ups’ inception to being listed on the stock exchange.
  Keywords: digital start-up transformation; opportunity recognition; international maturing ventures; entrepreneurial capabilities; SDG8; decent work and economic growth.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10076473
   
  
• Empowering green entrepreneurship and management of sovereign green bonds using blockchain  
  by Parul Khatri, Pushpa Singh, Narendra Singh 
  Abstract: Sovereign green bonds (SGB) are crucial financial tools for supporting green entrepreneurship and environmentally sustainable projects. The traditional finance systems pose several challenges, like a lack of transparency, lengthy approval procedures, and delays, which have lost the trust and confidence of investors. The objective of this research is to explore the role of blockchain technology in streamlining the issuance and management of SGB in green entrepreneurship. The methodology involves developing smart contracts using ERC-20 tokens to signify bonds and the Keccak algorithm for signature authentication. Authorisation techniques for validators and regulators are embedded within the smart contracts to ensure a secure, transparent, and efficient process. The findings indicate major enhancements over conventional practices, including reduced approval times, continuous monitoring of bond-related activities, and enhanced auditability due to blockchain’s immutable ledger. These features minimise the risk of fraud and strengthen investor trust by ensuring transparency, efficiency, and security.
  Keywords: green entrepreneurship; sovereign green bonds; SGBs; blockchain.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10076796
   
  
• Entrepreneurial competencies and business performance among women entrepreneurs in emerging economies: the mediating role of digital competency  
  by Ashish Mahajan , Jamila Hasnaoui, Rupal Chowdhary, Virginie Hachard, Marion Polge 
  Abstract: This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurial competencies on the business performance of women entrepreneurs in India, a rapidly developing economy. An indigenous measurement scale was created to evaluate various competencies specific to women entrepreneurs, including personal, interpersonal, business management, core entrepreneurial, analytical, and financial/legal dimensions. Furthermore, the study examined digital and networking competencies as mediating factors in this relationship. Data collected from a sample of 330 women entrepreneurs were subjected to structural equation modelling analysis. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between entrepreneurial competencies and business performance, with digital competencies demonstrating a vital mediating effect, whereas networking competencies exhibited a marginal influence. These results highlight the critical role of digital skills and the necessity of customised competency development in improving business outcomes in resource-constrained contexts, thereby providing valuable implications for policymakers and training organisations.
  Keywords: women entrepreneurs; entrepreneurial competencies; business performance; digital competency; emerging economies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10076804
   
  
• Entrepreneurial green hydrogen small-scale ventures and their viability determinants: a PLS-SEM approach  
  by Samarth Sharma, Narendra Singh, Pallavi Sharda Garg, Archana Singh, Gopal Pathak 
  Abstract: The role of medium-scale industries in this area around the world is being appreciated as the large-scale industries have heavily invested in fossil fuel-based systems. Our study’s main objective is to empirically determine which are the most significant variables for a viable green hydrogen production facility so that it can be financed and become commercially viable. A mixed-method approach has been used to complete the study. Research design is based on exploratory and conclusive. Data has been filled in by the respondents only once, as it is a cross-sectional study and has been analysed using PLS-SEM. Respondents are the experts on the hydrogen-based projects. The findings suggest that operating expenditures significantly increase Market Demand Prices, meaning that higher operating costs are linked to higher market prices. It is very crucial for the medium-scale industry to maintain as much efficiency as possible to control the operating expenditure.
  Keywords: green hydrogen; electrolysis; national hydrogen mission; decarbonisation; energy storage; operational expenditure; capital expenditure.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10076961
   
  
• Motivating students’ entrepreneurial intention in Vietnam: exploring the roles of entrepreneurship competition experiences and self-efficacy  
  by Thao U.P. Pham, Anh D. Thai, Nhan Q. Tran, Nghi L. D. Ly, Anh-Tho Thi Nguyen 
  Abstract: Entrepreneurship plays a key role in Vietnam’s youth-led development, while entrepreneurship competitions continue to scale up alongside growing investment from government, the private sector, and universities in the start-up ecosystem. This study examines determinants of Vietnamese university students’ start-up intentions, focusing on entrepreneurship competition experiences and self-efficacy. Using a mono-quantitative design, it integrates theory of planned behaviour and social learning theory and analyses online and offline survey data via structural equation modelling. Results show that competition experiences and self-efficacy significantly strengthen entrepreneurial intentions, with self-efficacy mediating the effect of competition experiences on start-up intentions. The findings also reveal a strong linkage between university support and students’ competition experiences, suggesting that experiential engagement, beyond knowledge and skills, plays a distinctive role in shaping intentions. The study also offers practical implications for stakeholders seeking to build a sustainable entrepreneurial culture in Vietnam and recommends future research on additional contextual and individual factors.
  Keywords: entrepreneurial intention; entrepreneurship competition experience; self-efficacy; university support; entrepreneurial education.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10076962
   
  
• Embedded agency for legitimacy and resilience in immigrant entrepreneurship  
  by Soumodip Sarkar, Charbel Salloum, Hajer Jarrar, Marion Polge 
  Abstract: This study explores how immigrant restaurant entrepreneurs in Portugal build legitimacy and resilience within institutional and social constraints. Drawing on 53 in-depth interviews, we develop an Intersectional Embeddedness Framework linking symbolic, institutional, and relational dimensions of immigrant entrepreneurship. The analysis reveals that entrepreneurs strategically balance authenticity and adaptation to achieve symbolic legitimacy, navigate bureaucratic opacity through pragmatic compliance, and draw on family and community networks to sustain their ventures. Gender, ethnicity, and migration status intersect to shape access to legitimacy, institutional fluency, and social capital. The study advances the concept of Intersectional Embeddedness Theory, integrating mixed embeddedness and intersectionality to explain how identity positions mediate entrepreneurial agency. Findings illuminate how intersectional differences create distinct pathways to resilience and legitimacy, offering implications for inclusive policy design that recognises diverse immigrant experiences and fosters equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems.
  Keywords: immigrant entrepreneurship; intersectionality; legitimacy; resilience; Portugal; institutional work.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077339
   
  
• From grit to growth: linking women entrepreneurs’ psychological capital, social empowerment and performance across supportive and fragile contexts  
  by Mugaahed Abdu Kaid Saleh, Harold Andrew Patrick, Abdulrahman Naef Farhan, Chaitra S. Thimmanna, Mamatha S. Moodli 
  Abstract: This study examines the interplay of psychological capital (PsyCap) and social empowerment (SE) in driving entrepreneurial performance satisfaction (EPS) among women entrepreneurs in contrasting institutional contexts: India’s supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem and Yemen’s fragile, conflict-affected environment. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling and standardised scales based on a theoretical framework integrating Psychological Capital Theory (PCT) and institutional theory (IT). The data were collected from 233 women entrepreneurs (144 from India, 89 from Yemen) and were analysed using patrial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that PsyCap significantly enhances SE and EPS, with SE as a mediator in both contexts. Institutional context is a significant moderator while entrepreneurial willingness is not a significant moderator, which highlights the role of external constraints. The findings inform policy reforms regarding the inclusion of a comprehensive approach that is culture- and context- sensitive for empowering women entrepreneurs in economic participation.
  Keywords: psychological capital; entrepreneurial success; social empowerment; SE; institutional context; women’s entrepreneurship.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077340
   
  
• Indigenous women entrepreneurship: mapping research trends and theoretical insights  
  by Ratikant Bhaskar  
  Abstract: This study conducts a bibliometric, content, and systematic review of 146 publications on indigenous women entrepreneurship. The analysis reveals fluctuating research trends, with recent years showing structured growth. However, studies remain inconsistent compared to the broader women entrepreneurship field due to socio-economic and cultural constraints. Citation and keyword analysis identify key themes such as resilience, identity formation, financial empowerment, and digital adaptation. Theoretical contributions stem from frameworks like Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, gender role theory, and social capital theory, offering insights into entrepreneurial challenges. Leading scholars and influential studies shape discourse on structural barriers and career self-efficacy. Despite notable contributions from the United States, India, and Canada, regional disparities persist. Future research should explore financial inclusion, digital transformation, and policy interventions to bridge these gaps. An interdisciplinary approach integrating finance, technology, and gender studies is crucial to fostering inclusive and sustainable indigenous women entrepreneurship globally.
  Keywords: indigenous women; entrepreneurship; systematic literature review; bibliometric analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077494
   
  
• Challenges unveiled: women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh amidst COVID-19 upheaval  
  by Anita Jahid, Amlan Haque 
  Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted critical gender-specific challenges for women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, particularly those linked to microfinance institutions. This paper explores the unique impact of the pandemic on women-owned micro-enterprises, examining how social and economic crises have intensified existing barriers and introduced new obstacles. Using a qualitative approach, this study reviews current literature with a focus on the experiences of women entrepreneurs during the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Findings identify key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including financial strain, limited access to resources, increased domestic burdens, and mental health issues. Findings reveal that digital strategies and community support are significant for business resilience. This analysis provides insights into the pandemic’s impact on Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs and proposes actionable recommendations to address these challenges. These recommendations can inform policymakers, NGOs, and financial institutions aiming to strengthen support frameworks for women-led enterprises in Bangladesh and other developing economies.
  Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; microfinance institutions; MFIs; women entrepreneurs; small business; Bangladesh.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077701
   
  
• Digital transformation and MSMEs: a thematic study of India’s textile sector  
  by Neha Makkar, Nudrat Moini Rahman 
  Abstract: There is an uneven adoption of digital transformation in the textile industry, specifically among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a developing nation like India. The current research aims to understand present state of digital transformation across textile MSMEs in the country through a qualitative research approach with thematic analysis. The findings highlighted the presence of digital tools like ERP, CRM, online sales in few enterprises while many still unaware. Many of them did not want to adopt digital tools due to other factors like scale of operation, cost, etc. Many MSMEs are not aware of digital technologies, or they are simply not interested and would not like to shift from the status quo. Knowledge of the current digital technologies used by textile MSMEs in India and the factors influencing their use will help policymakers, consultancies and MSME owners in planning as well as implementing digital transformation initiatives.
  Keywords: digital transformation; textile industry; micro; small; and medium enterprises; MSMEs; current status; qualitative study.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077705
   
  
• Introducing a dynamic model for dairy product exports by small and medium-sized enterprises in Iran  
  by Delshad Hoseini, Mahmoud Dehghan Nayeri, Ali Rajabzadeh Ghatari 
  Abstract: Small and medium-sized enterprises in Iran’s dairy industry face significant challenges exporting to Europe, including product perishability, regulatory compliance, and market fluctuations, despite favourable exchange rates. Using an exploratory system dynamics model built with Vensim PLE and insights from ten industry experts, this study evaluates export strategies over ten years. The baseline model shows exports reaching 2.04 million EUR but declining profitability (490 EUR/month loss) due to high costs, such as 10,200 EUR/month transportation, leading to 58,800 EUR cumulative losses and reduced product quality and R&D capacity. A refined model incorporating expert recommendations, including patent registration (36-month processing), competitor contracts, customised production, and outsourced marketing, yields 1.93 million EUR in exports and 462,000 EUR in profits, achieving sustainability. Validated through sensitivity analysis and policy evaluations, the model offers a strategic framework for SMEs, policymakers, and stakeholders, emphasising intellectual property, partnerships, and innovation for successful European market entry.
  Keywords: system dynamics; dairy exports; Iranian SMEs; currency shocks; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; Iran.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077885
   
  
• Bridging the gap: entrepreneurial resilience as a mediator between digital innovation and small business sustainability  
  by Pawan Kumar, Shashi Kant, Hajer Jarrar, Virginie Hachard 
  Abstract: With the transformation of the digital economy, increasing numbers of small businesses employ digital transformation strategies to ensure that they can survive and sustain themselves over a long period. This study examines the impact of the digital transformation on the long-term success of small businesses through the lens of their digital abilities and their ability to change as the conditions change. It also examines what role entrepreneurial resilience can play here. Based on the data of 280 businesses in urban and 175 businesses in rural areas, the hierarchical regression and factor analyses reveal high levels of entrepreneurial resilience significantly enhancing financial performance and operational efficiency and bringing additional explanatory power to digital capability and adaptability. Experimental outcomes also demonstrate that the digitalisation projects initiated by entrepreneurship are more resistant when compared to projects initiated by consultants or are simply ignored, with statistically sound differences between the two. All of these results indicate that entrepreneurial resilience is one critical psychological aspect contributing to the long-term success of the company caused by the digital transformation techniques. This entails both theoretical and practical implications for the small business executives working in unpredictable conditions.
  Keywords: entrepreneurial resilience; digital innovation; SME sustainability; process automation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10077970
   
  
• Artificial intelligence in controlled environment agriculture: advancing food sovereignty and zero hunger  
  by Sonsoles Jiménez Pérez  
  Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming controlled environment agriculture (CEA), offering scalable pathways to resilient food production amid climate volatility, water scarcity, and urbanisation. This article compares four AI-enabled CEA models — state-led (Singapore), corporate-led (AeroFarms), state-scaled (China), and an SME-led micro-greens venture (MyGreens) — across five dimensions: resource efficiency, technological integration, socio-economic inclusion, governance, and context fit. Using a multiple-case design with triangulated sources, it synthesises cross-case patterns and identifies the conditions under which AI-CEA advances sustainable intensification, food sovereignty, and glocalisation. Findings show that performance depends jointly on energy mix and governance: renewable integration and modular, open architectures magnify environmental and inclusion gains; closed, energy-intensive configurations erode them. SMEs and entrepreneurial ventures can leverage modular AI-CEA, inclusive finance, and capability-building to convert technological gains into resilient, locally embedded business models.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; AI; controlled environment agriculture; CEA; vertical farming; food sovereignty; zero hunger; SDG 2; glocalisation; sustainable intensification; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurship; AI-driven food systems; urban agriculture; ethics.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078054
   
  
• How returning entrepreneurs’ entrepreneurial orientation drives farmers’ wage income and reduces inequality: micro-evidence from China  
  by Chenyun Lu, Yi Wang, Lei Liu 
  Abstract: Returning entrepreneurship is an important way of non-agricultural employment in rural areas. This study examines how returning entrepreneurs’ individual entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affects farmers’ wage income, using 2019 and 2022 survey data on Chinese returning entrepreneurial enterprises. The regression shows this entrepreneurial orientation increases wages for farmers employed by these enterprises and narrows their wage gap, through strengthening entrepreneurial motivation, expanding investment, improving operational performance, and creating jobs. Heterogeneity analysis finds this impact is more significant in the primary industry, the mid- and low-end tertiary industry, and central and western China. The income decomposition reveals differences in regional return rates explain over 50% of the income gaps between western China and other regions. Notably, entrepreneurial orientation widens income gaps between regions. Recommendations include enhancing support for returning entrepreneurship and fostering entrepreneurial orientation. This study provides insights for poverty alleviation and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development, particularly for developing economies.
  Keywords: returning entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial orientation; farmers’ wage income; income inequality; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078096
   
  
• Leveraging social media vetting in small business for talent acquisition: a qualitative study  
  by Jaya Gupta 
  Abstract: Digitalisation has transformed many sectors, and personnel hiring or the talent acquisition space is no exception. Social media vetting practices are witnessing an exponential increase in their application across industries. This study aims to examine and enhance the processes involved in social media vetting, which recruiters use to gather and integrate knowledge on job applicants. The study is based on a qualitative research design. The data was collected from 59 HR professionals engaged in social media vetting candidate profiles during talent acquisition. Analysing the data collected from HR professionals through structured open-ended essays, we sought to clarify the scope and granularities of social media vetting from a knowledge management perspective. The study contributes to the literature by articulating how digital footprints are leveraged across talent acquisition stages, offering practical insights for developing standardised social media vetting guidelines for organisations.
  Keywords: small business; social media vetting; talent acquisition; digital footprints; qualitative design.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078309
   
  
• Artificial intelligence and management practices as a collaborator for entrepreneurs in small business  
  by Rashi Rathore, Richa Srivastava, Muskan Khan 
  Abstract: This research offers a bibliometric analysis of AI-based HRM practices, investigating the key trends, prolific contributors, clusters, and others using the Scopus database (2013-2025) through VOSviewer for data mapping. The findings suggest that AI will be affectively functional in the HR functions like recruitment, training, performance management, and engagement, but also reveal serious issues related to ethical governance, data privacy, and algorithmic fairness. By identifying research gaps, this study provides strategic insights into AI’s evolving role in HRM and outlines directions for future research. This study is the first to combine the aspects of technological sustainability in a bibliometric study of AI in HRM. This study provides a systematic, empirical understanding of the evolution of the field of AI in HRM with TCCM framework and scholarly references to support researchers and practitioners in examining how AI-enabled HRM aligns with the sustainable and ethical development of technology.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; entrepreneurship; small business; HRM practices; bibliometric analysis; TCCM framework.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078310
   
  
• Causal association of entrepreneurship ecosystem in fintech using structural equation modelling  
  by Vaijayanti Chuttani, Sweta Goel 
  Abstract: The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of Fintech in entrepreneurship ecosystem on financial inclusion with financial self-efficacy as mediator using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). This study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional, explanatory research design to examine effects of variables. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection from respondents with access to at least one formal financial service. The focus is on understanding how dynamic financial environments shape individual capability. Financial self-efficacy serves as a significant mediating mechanism through which financial literacy influences financial inclusion. From a theoretical standpoint, this finding is well aligned with social cognitive theory, which posits that knowledge affects behaviour indirectly by shaping individuals’ beliefs in their own capabilities. Institutions can play a proactive role by simplifying product design, improving customer communication, and offering user-friendly digital interfaces that build trust and confidence among customers.
  Keywords: fintech; entrepreneurial ecosystem; financial self-efficacy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078311
   
  
• Entrepreneurship in Ayodhya: intersections of traditional livelihoods and modern small business development  
  by Samdish Sharma, Manas Ranjan Behera 
  Abstract: This study investigates the maintenance and evolution of traditional livelihoods in Ayodhya through the lens of pilgrimage driven urban transformation. The research was conducted between October 2024 and March 2025 through 41 semi-structured interviews, 60 hours of participant observation, and 71 geo-tagged photographs of corridor-based economic activities. The study finds that there is incremental recalibration rather than displacement in the face of pilgrimage driven changes in Ayodhya. There is the ability to adapt to the changes through the diversification of retail activities, expansion of transport services, and the participation of women in semi formal services.
  Keywords: entrepreneurship; traditional livelihoods; small-business development; informal economy; pilgrimage City; Ayodhya.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078313
   
  
• Yay, nay, or another day for entrepreneurship: analysing varying entrepreneurial intentions among Bahraini women university students  
  by Debashish Sengupta, Charbel M. El Khoury 
  Abstract: This research critically analyses the varying entrepreneurial intentions of women university business students in Bahrain using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Through a qualitative integration of TPB and SDT, the research explains the reasons behind the existence of the three different entrepreneurial intentions, doers, procrastinators and abstainers, among Bahraini women business students who experience similar environments. The study further extends understanding of how the different motivational processes and perceived barriers shape these intention types. Using narrative enquiry and thematic analysis of 37 semi-structured interviews, the study aligns the motivations of participants with SDT’s internalisation process. It demonstrates how these motivational profiles are linked to TPB constructs, suggesting specific contextual implications for policymakers and higher education.
  Keywords: entrepreneurial intentions; motivation; narrative inquiry; women’s entrepreneurship; self-determination theory; theory of planned behaviour.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078314
   
  
• How institutions shape agency in migrant entrepreneurship  
  by Renata Casado, Roberto Pessoa De Queiroz Falcão, Laura Salloum, Eduardo Picanco Cruz, Charbel Salloum 
  Abstract: Drawing on a mixed-embeddedness lens, this study examines the rise of Brazilian businesses in Western Australia and how agency and institutional context shape ethnic entrepreneurship before and during COVID-19. We employ a qualitative longitudinal design: 23 in-depth interviews in 2019 and online follow-ups with 13 participants in March 2020 thematically coded in NVivo and triangulated with secondary sources. Entrepreneurs engage in practical-evaluative sensemaking that blends prior experience, resources and situational cues; migration policy emerges as a key enabler, while institutional constraints and market shifts demand adaptive strategies. During the pandemic, participants reconfigured business models and leveraged community networks to sustain activity. We extend mixed-embeddedness by integrating agency and propose a dynamic model of entrepreneur-institution interaction in an under-researched regional and ethnic setting. Findings are context-specific; future work should test other regions and examine personality traits. Results inform policymakers and founders on the centrality of migration policy and adaptive capability for inclusion.
  Keywords: migrant entrepreneurship; institutional theory; mixed embeddedness; entrepreneurial agency.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078316
   
  
• Political connections and entrepreneurial investment  
  by Tania Kallab, Charbel Salloum, Christophe Bernard, Jean-Michel Sahut 
  Abstract: Entrepreneurial activity can endure; even intensify, when formal institutions deteriorate. This study examines how political connections shape Lebanese SMEs’ reinvestment under weak institutional conditions. Using survey data from 101 firms and binary logistic regression with robust standard errors, we test whether political ties buffer the dampening effect of deterioration on investment. Results show deterioration does not uniformly suppress reinvestment: entrepreneurs with political connections are 19.4% more likely to reinvest, treating turbulence as a strategic opening. Those without such ties perceive a higher risk and scale back. These findings advance a politically contingent view of institutional theory in entrepreneurship, clarifying how political capital reframes opportunity recognition and risk assessment in fragile environments. The contribution shifts attention from firm formation to reinvestment behaviour and identifies political embeddedness as a moderating mechanism based on micro-level evidence. Implications for policy and ecosystems include expanding non-political channels for information, finance, and protection to sustain productive investment without entrenching inequality.
  Keywords: institutional deterioration; entrepreneurial investment; political connections; Lebanese economy; institutional voids.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078319
   
  
• Impact of goods and services tax on micro, small, and medium enterprises: a bibliometric and systematic review of three decades  
  by Subhash Chand, Pawan Kumar 
  Abstract: Despite the growing academic focus on the goods and services tax (GST) and its implications for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), existing research remains fragmented, lacking thematic coherence, methodological rigor, and longitudinal perspective. This current study analyses the influence of GST on MSMEs, emphasising the compliance difficulties encountered by these enterprises, through a bibliometric and systematic review of 57 Scopus-indexed publications from 1993 to 2023, utilising Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The analysis identifies key research domains, emerging trends, and noteworthy authors, revealing that Business Management and Accounting is the dominant research area, with India leading in publication volume. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business is the most prominent source, while Griffith University ranks as the top contributing institution. The findings suggest that although GST is economically sound in design, its uniform structure poses significant compliance challenges for MSMEs, particularly due to high compliance costs, digital infrastructure gaps, and insufficient preparedness. Additionally, the study proposes targeted policy recommendations, including customised support mechanisms, enhanced digital infrastructure, and focused tax education, to alleviate operational challenges for MSMEs and foster inclusive economic growth.
  Keywords: goods and services tax; GST; micro; small; and medium enterprises; MSMEs; bibliometric; systematic review; visualisation; research trends; compliance challenges; economic policy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10078608
   
  
• Determinants of agricultural entrepreneurial settlement: a PLS-SEM study of RSETI trainees in Karnataka, India  
  by Amrutha Sasidharan, Vihas Vijay 
  Abstract: In India, rural communities still have to struggle greatly with unemployment and the lack of livelihoods. To deal with this, Rural Self Employment Training Institutes were made to foster self-employment in the rural youth by training them on entrepreneurship. This paper discusses the determinants that play the most important role in agricultural entrepreneurial settlement by RSETI trainees in Karnataka, India. To be more specific, it studies the effects of the training effectiveness, training period, access to the bank finance, business management skills, personality types, climate influences, and other situational factors on the entrepreneurial settlement. A small sample size of 279 RSETI trainees was used to collect primary data by completing a structured questionnaire and analysed by PLS-SEM. The findings show that the most significant predictor of settlement process is the training effectiveness, and the training duration greatly increases the effectiveness of training.
  Keywords: RSETI; rural entrepreneurship; structural equation modelling; SEM; entrepreneurial settlement; skill development; agricultural entrepreneurship; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078632
   
  
• Women entrepreneurship and firm performance: effect of critical factors on entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial satisfaction  
  by Brij Mohan Singh, Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, Muskan Khan, Sharad Srivastava, Gyanendra Bahadur Singh Johri 
  Abstract: The paper investigates how social, psychological, financial and resource-status factors influence the entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial satisfaction and how such satisfaction in turn impacts on firm performance. The survey concentrated on a set of cluster, purposive, and snowball sampling methods to collect data, which was in the form of a questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed and structural equation modelling (SEM) in testing cause and effect relationships. The findings showed that five among the nine hypothesised relationships were significant and the rest four were significant to some extent. On the whole, the results show that social, psychological, financial, and resources have a strong impact on the entrepreneurial orientation and satisfaction, and entrepreneurial satisfaction benefits performance of the firm. This research is important to women entrepreneurs, their family, and government and non-governmental bodies as it presents the important factors that determine the success of women.
  Keywords: women entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial orientation; entrepreneurial satisfaction; firm performance; exploratory factor analysis; EFA; confirmatory factor analysis; CFA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078706
   
  
• Study and analysis of digital marketing and e-commerce strategies of wineries in three Catalan designations of origin: case for discussion and debate  
  by Gemma Molleví, Jordi Mundet 
  Abstract: The main purpose of this article is to present a diagnosis of the situation of companies in the wine sector in relation to electronic commerce and the digital marketing strategies followed by wineries in three Catalan protected designations of origin (DO). And, from here, propose a case study to be carried out in the classroom in certain subjects of the Marketing Degree with the aim of discussing some doubts or challenges left open by the work carried out.
  Keywords: wine sector; electronic commerce; social networks; education; designations of origin; Catalonia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078859
   
  
• When numbers go green: behavioural sparks for SMEs’ sustainability reporting  
  by Rajni Bala, Charbel Salloum, Muskaan Arora, Jean-Michel Sahut, Sandeep Singh 
  Abstract: This study investigates how environmental sensitivity, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, sustainable development goals, and top-management support affect chartered accountants’ intentions to engage in sustainable accounting and reporting within IT SMEs. A cross-sectional survey of 259 chartered accountants from northern India was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling with 5,000 bootstrap resamples to evaluate direct, mediating, and moderating effects. The findings reveal that environmental sensitivity and top-management support significantly encourage sustainable accounting and reporting, with environmental sensitivity having the most substantial impact. Subjective norms perceived behavioural control, and sustainable development goals indirectly influence sustainable accounting and reporting by boosting environmental sensitivity, while top-management support strengthens this effect. The study proposes an integrated TPB-stakeholder-institutional framework that advances sustainability research in service-oriented emerging markets. Practically, managers should foster environmental sensitivity through training and resource allocation, and regulators should incentivise leadership-backed assurance procedures to promote credible sustainability reporting.
  Keywords: sustainable accounting; environmental sensitivity; perceived behaviour control; sustainable development goals.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10078860
   
  
• Digital finance, financial literacy, and SME performance  
  by Renato Pereira, Naguib Omar, Summeya Gafur, Carina Momed 
  Abstract: This study tests whether its adoption improves the performance of UK-listed SMEs, while accounting for financial literacy, financial constraints, and GDP growth. Secondary data from Refinitiv Eikon covers 224 firms from 2022 to 2024, and multivariate regression links adoption with profitability and operational efficiency. The results indicate stronger performance among adopters because digital tools lower transaction costs, speed settlement, and broaden access to finance. Financial literacy enhances gains because informed managers select suitable platforms and use analytics to manage liquidity. Financial constraints shape the pathway: limited credit can slow digital investment, while digital use can also reduce financing frictions through better records and greater visibility. In addition, higher GDP growth reinforces the relationship and suggests that supportive macro conditions raise the payoff from adoption. The work extends transaction cost economics to a digital finance context and shows how literacy and constraints operate as mediators and moderators in a mature economy. Generalisation is limited by the UK sample and the short period. Policymakers and SME leaders should pair adoption support with financial capability programs. Greater uptake can advance inclusion and contribute to broader economic development.
  Keywords: digital finance; SMEs; financial performance; transaction cost economics; TCEs.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10079033
   
  
• Exploring bully traits across private and public educational entrepreneurs  
  by Divya Sharma, Rajnish K. Misra, Anjali Dubey, Veenu Sharma 
  Abstract: Workplace bullying is considered to be a bigger problem impacting individual and organisational performance. The purpose of this research is to find out the bully’s characteristics, focusing on the Indian B-School. The study emphasises the significant differential characteristics of a bully in the public and private sectors and was conducted with the help of a significant test (T-Test). A checklist has been proposed, and it has been found that both groups perceived 7 bullying characteristics (extrovert, incompetence, job insecurity, feeling incompetent, attention-seeking, frustration, and non-appreciation) as differentially significant. This is considered to be the foremost study in India which is focusing on both the public and private B-School. If bullying or bullies are not managed well, then it will affect the employees and overall organisational performance, thus a healthy or happy workforce will not be achievable. The findings and future research direction are discussed and suggested.
  Keywords: workplace bullying; perpetrator’s characteristics; bully; dispositional factors; educational sector; B-School.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10079020
   
  
• Threats, responses, and insurance innovations: evidence from micro-insurance of African SMEs using the protection motivation theory  
  by Ilias Vlachos, Peter Muchiri Mwai 
  Abstract: Micro-insurance innovations can protect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging countries, including those in Africa, from various threats. However, micro-insurance is overlooked in the SMEs literature. Drawing on the protection motivation theory, this study examines how micro-insurance innovations can help SMEs in Botswana address complex and escalating threats, particularly in the uncertain post-pandemic environment. This study employs a large-scale survey and hierarchical group regression analysis to investigate the effects of coping mechanisms (self-efficacy, response efficacy, response value) and threat characteristics (severity, vulnerability) on SME performance, moderated by governance support as suggested by institutional theory. It develops a novel typology of innovation responses (freeze, flight, fight). Micro-insurance can effectively protect SMEs from the severity and vulnerability of threats. However, the analysis revealed an overconfidence in SMEs’ self-efficacy over insurers’ efficacy and insurance value. Each response type (freeze, fight, and flight) impacts SME performance differently. These findings support SMEs’ customisation of insurance innovation and have significant theoretical, micro, meso, and macro-level managerial implications.
  Keywords: micro-insurance; small and medium enterprises; SMEs; protection motivation theory; Africa.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2027.10079067
   
  
• From margins to mainstream: senior women entrepreneurs and the evolving work ecosystem  
  by Erhan Aydin, Yusuf Alparslan Dibek 
  Abstract: This study explores the shift in entrepreneurship from youth-centric to senior women over 45. It examines how family dynamics, various forms of capital (economic, social, and symbolic), and cultural perceptions impact their entrepreneurial journeys. Using a qualitative approach, 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with senior women entrepreneurs were conducted, offering a comprehensive view of their experiences, challenges, and contributions. The findings highlight senior women's unique advantages to entrepreneurship, such as extensive life experiences and established networks, alongside challenges like societal biases and age-related barriers. The study highlights the importance of family support, capital accessibility, and cultural contexts in shaping their entrepreneurial efforts. This paper contributes significantly to the theory by advocating for a broader understanding of entrepreneurship across different life stages, emphasising the untapped potential of senior women entrepreneurs.
  Keywords: senior women entrepreneurship; age; gender; qualitative research; intersectionality.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071898
   
  
• The role of business incubators in enhancing university-industry collaboration and innovation in Vietnam's higher education  
  by Minh Tung Tran, Hoai Lan Duong, Thi Kim Oanh Vo 
  Abstract: This research explores the critical role of business incubators in fostering innovation and university-industry collaboration in Vietnamese higher education. Utilising a mixed methods approach, we analysed 189 semi-structured interviews and conducted case studies of four incubators. Findings reveal significant venture development achievements and key challenges, including limited funding, mentorship quality, and regulatory barriers. The study advocates for tailored incubator models, increased government support, and strategies to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem. By addressing Vietnam's specific challenges and opportunities, this research offers valuable insights and practical recommendations for policymakers and university administrators to optimise business incubation and drive economic growth.
  Keywords: sustainable innovation; university-industry collaboration; business incubators; BICs; entrepreneurship education; emerging markets.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10070815
   
  
• The relationship of cognitive flexibility to entrepreneurial intentions and the mediating role of information search  
  by Marwan Al-Shammari, John James Cater III, Kevin James 
  Abstract: This study examined cognitive flexibility as a critical factor in developing entrepreneurial intentions and assessed the role of information search in this process. We surveyed 421 students in a south-western US regional university, measuring the relationship between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intentions mediated by search effort and search persistence. Employing structural equation modelling, we found a direct positive correlation between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intentions. Then, our results indicated a mediating effect of search effort on the relationship between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intentions, but search persistence did not have this effect. Our results accentuate that possessing high cognitive flexibility enables entrepreneurs to manage new ventures' uncertainty and volatility better. Our results also suggest that cognitive flexibility allows entrepreneurs to consider a wide range of alternatives and perspectives, leading to improved decision-making. We contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by postulating a refined understanding of the relationship between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intentions by empirically identifying and testing the mediating effects of information search behaviours.
  Keywords: cognitive flexibility; entrepreneurial intentions; information search; search effort; search persistence; social cognitive theory; theory of planned behaviour.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10070814
   
  
• A decomposition analysis of gender gap in performance of weaving entrepreneurs from natural handloom clusters of West Bengal, India  
  by Rishav Mukherjee, Tanmoyee Banerjee, Malabika Roy 
  Abstract: The gender gap in entrepreneurial performance in India's handloom sector is well-known, but its relationship with organisational structure remains unexplored. This study examines this issue within natural handloom clusters in West Bengal under various organisational structures. A primary survey of 832 handloom units across three clusters was conducted from August 2019 to March 2020 using a structured questionnaire. The study employs unconditional quantile regression and decomposition analysis to assess gender disparities in revenue among weavers. Findings reveal significant gender disparity, with female weavers earning less than males across organisational structures. The gap widens when weaving is a primary occupation and with an increased number of looms. Education further amplifies the disparity at median revenue levels. However, male weavers in cooperatives show poorer performance, narrowing the gender revenue gap.
  Keywords: gender gap; performance; organisational structure; handloom industry; entrepreneurship; natural handloom cluster; decomposition analysis; West Bengal; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10076184
   
  
• Small business entrepreneurs and possible threats: systematic review and future research agenda  
  by Vaijayanti Chuttani, Sweta Goel 
  Abstract: Major services received by small businesses play a vital role for the growth and success. However, the progress of financial inclusion is hampered by various cyber attacks, including significant ones in India. Cyber attacks and ongoing cybercrime related are a result of the growing influence of hacker organisations and transformation of digital technology. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to access and systematically review various internet related threats faced by entrepreneurs. The review followed process according to PRISMA criteria. We assessed selected abstracts to verify their adherence to the inclusion criteria. Subsequently, we acquired the complete texts of eligible abstracts and assessed their suitability to meet the inclusion criteria for review on cyber threats. The findings revealed that a strong cyber security mechanism should be developed and proper awareness should be given among the small businesses for tackling the cyber attacks.
  Keywords: systematic literature review; small business entrepreneurs; threats; small business.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10074984
   
  
• Unlocking entrepreneurs' potential: role of digital media self-efficacy and digital media familiarity on the continuous use of social media  
  by Regina Babu Kivuyo, Renjini Das 
  Abstract: Social media (SM) platforms are essential for entrepreneurs looking to foster growth and maintain competitiveness, requiring the development of relevant skills and competencies. This study investigates the impact of digital media self-efficacy (DMS) and digital media familiarity (DMF) on entrepreneurs' continuous intention to use SM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 268 entrepreneurs using SM for business activities. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the proposed hypotheses using SPSS AMOS. The study found that DMS directly and indirectly significantly influenced satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and continuous intention to use SM. It also found that multimedia application familiarity indirectly influences the continuous use of SM through DMS and satisfaction. This study can contribute to practitioners in improving DMF and DMS to overcome challenges related to SM. It extends the understanding of DMS and DMF in the context of entrepreneurship, providing new insights into their roles in the continuous use of SM.
  Keywords: digital media self-efficacy; DMS; social media; SM; digital media familiarity; DMF; digital entrepreneurship; entrepreneurship.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2026.10071508