A Bibliometric Examination of Entrepreneurial Traits in Scientific Literature

Abstract

Entrepreneurship research has increasingly recognized the role of individual traits in shaping entrepreneurial behavior and success. Despite the growing body of literature, systematic evaluations of how entrepreneurial traits are studied remain limited. This paper applies bibliometric analysis to map and synthesise scientific publications on entrepreneurial traits, identifying key research trends, influential authors, and thematic developments in the field. The study draws on data retrieved from the Dimensions.ai database, covering publications up to nowadays. Using bibliometric techniques, the analysis examines citation structures, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, and temporal trends. The results highlight the rapid growth of interest in entrepreneurial traits over the past two decades, with a concentration of research in journals focusing on entrepreneurship, management, and psychology. Among the most frequently studied traits are risk-taking, innovativeness, proactiveness, resilience, and self-efficacy, often linked to broader constructs such as entrepreneurial orientation and personality frameworks. Co-occurrence mapping further reveals clusters of research connecting traits to innovation, firm performance, and entrepreneurial intention.The findings show that the field has shifted from trait-based personality approaches toward more integrative perspectives that situate traits within social, cultural, and institutional contexts. Collaboration patterns indicate a global and interdisciplinary network, although research remains concentrated in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. This study contributes by providing a structured overview of the evolution and current state of entrepreneurial trait research. By highlighting influential works and emerging themes, it helps scholars navigate the literature and identify underexplored areas, such as cross-cultural comparisons and the role of traits in digital and sustainable entrepreneurship. Bibliometric evidence also offers practical implications for educators and policymakers seeking to foster entrepreneurial capacities in diverse contexts.