Knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship: a systematic review and future directions

Purpose This study aims to propose a framework based on the main theoretical and empirical contributions present in the literature and articulate the main paths for future studies in knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship (KIE). Design/methodology/approach Using the systematic review method from a survey of 85 articles, related to the KIE focal issue, originated from the Web of Science, it was possible to exhaustively analyze the studies and to divide the theme into key categories. Findings The present research has raised the relationship of five categories to KIE conceptualizations; the data suggest that although the literature indicates a distancing from KIE research, there are multidisciplinary themes and approaches interlinked in the studies. Originality/value The systematic approach in the main theoretical and empirical contributions in KIE enabled us to relate five categories (entrepreneurs, innovation, internationalization, location and triple alliance), and finally, to understand the gaps suggested by the researchers.