Entrepreneurial Intentions: What Is Known, Unknown, and Lacking? A Unifying Review and New Pathways for Potential Research

Abstract

This research provides a bibliometric account of the research on Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) from the “Scopus” database. Based on 1,345 articles published during a period of 28 years (i.e., 1993–2021), the study analyzes the conceptual structure of the work on EI. The study finds prospective synergies and interactions, thereby classifying the scientific literature into various clusters that address similar problems and share common themes. The development of imminent research streams built on quantitative and qualitative content analyses of the clustered publications highlighting previously overlooked idiosyncrasies of EI and their role across multiple levels of analysis and varied contexts can be considered as an accomplishment of this review. The study furthermore proposes a framework for the conceptualization of novel models for future exploration of EI. However, the research suggests some pathways to develop and empirically test statistical models emerging from the flow of scientific inquiry. The study urges researchers to use the case study method to evaluate EI. This study will help both pioneer and veteran EI researchers and other stakeholders benefit, who also intend to explore new directions for future investigations offering integration and synchronization with other fields of research.