ECOPRENEURSHIP IN ASIA: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION RESEARCH TRENDS

Herwan Abdul Muhyi; Rani Sukmadewi; Arianis Chan; Rivani Rivani; Arbi Abdul Kahfi

doi:10.24198/sosiohumaniora.v27i2.67798

ECOPRENEURSHIP IN ASIA: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION RESEARCH TRENDS

Herwan Abdul Muhyi, Rani Sukmadewi, Arianis Chan, Rivani Rivani, Arbi Abdul Kahfi

Abstract

The accelerating environmental crisis has driven the emergence of Ecopreneurship as a transformative approach that integrates business innovation with environmental responsibility and social sustainability. Asia, as the world’s fastest-growing economic region, faces critical environmental challenges while simultaneously fostering a new generation of sustainable entrepreneurs. This study aims to map scientific research trends and identify future directions in Ecopreneurship studies in Asian countries through a bibliometric analysis based on the Scopus database, covering the period from 2002 to August 2025. Using the PRISMA method for systematic screening, 561 articles were analyzed and visualized using VOSviewer to identify thematic clusters, publication trends, and research collaborations. The results reveal a significant surge in publications since 2014, coinciding with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. China and India dominate publication output, followed by Malaysia and Indonesia, reflecting Southeast Asia’s growing academic engagement in sustainable entrepreneurship. Seven major keyword clusters were identified, spanning individual-level factors (e.g., motivation, self-efficacy), organizational strategies (e.g., green innovation, sustainability orientation), and macro-level issues (e.g., policy, social entrepreneurship). The findings indicate that Ecopreneurship research in Asia is increasingly multidisciplinary, incorporating digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to advance the green economy. This study contributes by providing a comprehensive overview of research evolution, identifying key gaps, and outlining future research directions. In particular, it highlights the need for deeper investigation into digital integration, policy frameworks, and multi-level interactions among individual, organizational, and ecosystem factors to strengthen sustainable entrepreneurship in Asia.

Keywords

Ecopreneurship; Sustainable Entrepreneurship; Green Innovation; Bibliometric Analysis; Asia; VOSviewer; Scopus Database

References

Adrian, M., & Muntazimah, M. (2023). Bibliometric Analysis with the Vosviewer-Based Keyword “Mathematical Abilities.” Proceedings Series on Social Sciences & Humanities, 13, 74–80. https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v13i.885

Ahmad, N., Rahman, S., & Soomro, B. (2023). Sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in Asia: Challenges and prospects for green innovation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 421, 138423. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138423

Aisyah, H., & Saputra, N. (2021). Innovation and entrepreneurship for competitiveness in the asean: an empirical analysis. Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan, 19(01), 57–69. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22219/jep.v19i01.17056

Alfarizi, M. (2024). Correlation between higher education support and future sustainable Ecopreneurship drive among Javanese-centric students. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.22(2).2024.45

Ali, M., Ammer, M., & Elshaer, I. (2023). Born to be green: antecedents of green entrepreneurship intentions among higher education students. Sustainability, 15(8), 6668. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086668

Almhamad, G. (2022). The role of entrepreneurship in achieving sustainable development goals (an example from eastern european countries). The Annals of the University of Oradea Economic Sciences, 31(1), 291–300. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47535/1991auoes31(1)028

Αγαπίου, Ά., & Skarlatos, D. (2023). Geomatic Sensors for Heritage Documentation: A Meta-Analysis of the Scientific Literature. Heritage, 6(10), 6843–6861. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6100357

Barra, A., Saputro, D., & Widianingsih, P. (2024). Bibliometric Analysis of Spline Regression Model for Trend Mapping and Strategy Development Research Using Vosviewer. NUCLEUS, 5, 7–45. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37010/nuc.v5i02.1760

Bican, P. M., Brem, A., & Kraus, S. (2023). Green entrepreneurship and innovation: A systematic review and future research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 191, 122558. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122558

Briel, F., Schneider, C., & Lowry, P. (2018). Absorbing knowledge from and with external partners: the role of social integration mechanisms. Decision Sciences, 50(1), 7–45. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/deci.12314

Cai, X., Hussain, S., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Factors that can promote the green entrepreneurial intention of college students: a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.776886

Chaparro, X. A. F., Takahashi, C. K., & Figueiredo, J. C. B. de. (2022). The Triple Helix and the Quality Of the Startup Ecosystem: A global View. Revista De Gestão, 30(3), 238–252. https://doi.org/10.1108/rege-04-2021-0077

Chen, Y., Chang, C., & Lin, Y. (2014). The determinants of green radical and incremental innovation performance: green shared vision, green absorptive capacity, and green organizational ambidexterity. Sustainability, 6(11), 7787–7806. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su6117787

Chen, Y., Lin, S., Lin, C., Hung, S., Chang, C., & Huang, C. (2019). Improving green product development performance from green vision and organizational culture perspectives. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(1), 222–231. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1794

Cojoianu, T., Hoepner, A., Hu, X., Ramadan, M., Veneri, P., & Wójcik, D. (2023). Are cities venturing green? a global analysis of the impact of green entrepreneurship on city air pollution. Small Business Economics, 62(2), 523-540. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00764-4

Dhahri, S., & Omri, A. (2018). Entrepreneurship contribution to the three pillars of sustainable development: what does the evidence really say? World Development, 106, 64–77. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.01.008

Ding, Z., Li, M., Yang, X., & Xiao, W. (2023). Ambidextrous organizational learning and performance: absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises. Management Decision, 61(11), 3610–3634. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/md-02-2023-0138 E

González-Sánchez, R., Fuentes-García, F. J., & Almagro, B. J. (2024). Ecopreneurship as a driver of sustainable innovation: Mapping global research trends. Sustainability, 16(4), 1852. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041852

H., J., I., Kim, E., & Cho, J. (2022). Achieving superior performance in international markets: the roles of organizational agility and absorptive capacity. Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 38(4), 736–750. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jbim-09-2021-0425

Hall, J., Matos, S., & Bachor, V. (2017). From green technology development to green innovation: inducing regulatory adoption of pathogen detection technology for sustainable forestry. Small Business Economics, 52(4), 877–889. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-017-9940-0

Ilić, M., Ranković, M., Dobrilović, M., Bucea-Manea-Țoniș, R., Mihoreanu, L., Gheța, M., & Simion, V. (2022). Challenging novelties within the circular economy concept under the digital transformation of society. Sustainability, 14(2), 702. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020702

Jaiswal, A. K. (2025). The Role of Green Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from South Asia. International Journal of Economics and Management Intellectuals [IJEMI], 01(01), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.63665/ijemi.v01i01.03

Jansen, J., Bosch, F., & Volberda, H. (2005). Managing potential and realized absorptive capacity: how do organizational antecedents matter? Academy of Management Journal, 48(6), 999–1015. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2005.19573106

Khan, A., Hussain, M., & Park, Y. (2023). Green growth and policy integration in Asia: Empirical insights from developing economies. Environmental Science and Policy, 150, 82–94. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2023.06.011

Listya, K., Dwi Jati, F., & Jazuli, M. A. (2024). Bibliometric analysis with VOS Viewer of journal trends in risk management, firm performance, and firm value. Jurnal Mantik, 8(1), 477–487. https://doi.org/10.35335/mantik.v8i1.5167

Lotfi, M., Yousefi, A., & Jafari, S. (2018). The effect of emerging green market on green entrepreneurship and sustainable development in knowledge-based companies. Sustainability, 10(7), 2308. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072308

Mao, H., Wang, Z., & Yi, L. (2021). Does entrepreneurial orientation lead to successful sustainable innovation? the evidence from chinese environmentally friendly companies. Sustainability, 13(18), 10294. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810294

Mishra, M., Desul, S., Santos, C. A. G., Mishra, S. K., Kamal, A. H. M., Goswami, S., Kalumba, A. M., Biswal, R., da Silva, R. M., dos Santos, C. A. C., & Baral, K. (2024). A bibliometric analysis of sustainable development goals (SDGs): a review of progress, challenges, and opportunities. In Environment, Development and Sustainability (Vol. 26, Number 5). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03225-w

Mondal, S., & Singh, S. (2025). A bibliometric and thematic analysis of green entrepreneurship in business research: current status and future research directions. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 27(1), 67–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03905-7

Moya‐Salazar, J., Salazar, C. R., Delzo, S. S., Goicochea‐Palomino, E. A., & Rojas-Zumarán, V. (2024). After a Few Months, What Are the Uses of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Medicine? A Scopus-Based Systematic Review. Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 21(2), em577. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/14354

Nikolaou, I., Tsagarakis, K., & Tasopoulou, K. (2018). An examination of ecopreneurs’ incentives through a combination between institutional and resource-based approach. Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 29(2), 195-215. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/meq-01-2017-0004

Nuringsih, K., & Nuryasman, M N. (2021). The role of green entrepreneurship in understanding indonesia economy development sustainability among young adults. Studies of Applied Economics, 39(12). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.25115/eea.v39i12.6021

Nurvianie, R., & Sundari, S. (2024). Bibliometric Analysis of Medical Professionals’ Professionalism on Healthcare Service Quality: A Study Using VOSviewer. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(11), 818–824. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i11.7960

OECD. (2024). Towards Greener and More Inclusive Societies in Southeast Asia.

Ong, T. S., Latif, B., & Vaio, A. Di. (2022). GEO and Sustainable Performance: The Moderating Role of GTD and Environmental Consciousness. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 23(7), 38–67. https://doi.org/10.1108/jic-10-2021-0290

Núñez, R. P., Tarazona, M. E. P., & Moreno, J. R. (2024). Trends and challenges of integrating the STEAM approach in education: A scopus literature review. Data and Metadata, 3. https://doi.org/10.56294/dm2024.424

Prasetyo, P. E., Azwardi, & Kistanti, N. R. (2023). The Potential of Informal Institutions in Promoting Green Enterpreneurship (Ge) and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development. Ekonomika, 11, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2023-0061

Roberts, N. (2015). Absorptive capacity, organizational antecedents, and environmental dynamism. Journal of Business Research, 68(11), 2426–2433. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.02.019

Saleem, F., Adeel, A., Ali, R., & Hyder, S. (2018). Intentions to adopt Ecopreneurship: moderating role of collectivism and altruism. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 6(2), 517–537. https://doi.org/10.9770/JESI.2018.6.2(4)

Sánchez, E., Morales, V., & Martín‐Rojas, R. (2018). Influence of technological assets on organizational performance through absorptive capacity, organizational innovation and internal labour flexibility. Sustainability, 10(3), 770. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030770

Santika, I., Wardana, I., Setiawan, P., & Widagda, I. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and green entrepreneurial intention. Linguistics and Culture Review, 6, 797–810. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v6ns1.2159

Sarasi, V., Primiana, I., Harsanto, B., & Satyakti, Y. (2023). Sustainable Supply Chain of Indonesia’s Textile &Amp; Apparel Industry: Opportunities and Challenges. Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, 28(4), 819–838. https://doi.org/10.1108/rjta-08-2022-0091

Schaltegger, S., & Wagner, M. (2011). Sustainable entrepreneurship and sustainability innovation: categories and interactions. Business Strategy and the Environment, 20(4), 222–237. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.682

Shubham, S., Charan, P., & Murty, L. (2018). Institutional pressure and the implementation of corporate environment practices: examining the mediating role of absorptive capacity. Journal of Knowledge Management, 22(7), 1591–1613. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jkm-12-2016-0531

Silva, A., Santa, R., Fajardo, M., Rincón, M., Estrada, M., Ferreira, D., & Gómez, D. (2024). Knowledge management and its impact on social performance in solidarity organizations: the role of absorptive capacity and organizational learning. Ciriec-España Revista De Economía Pública Social Y Cooperativa, 110, 291–319. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7203/ciriec-e.110.26025

Tang, Y. (2023). A study of the impact of digital technology capabilities on firm performance—a moderated mediation model. Accounting and Corporate Management, 5(10). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.23977/acccm.2023.051014

Tekala, K., Baradarani, S., Alzubi, A., & Berberoğlu, A. (2024). Green entrepreneurship for business sustainability: do environmental dynamism and green structural capital matter?. Sustainability, 16(13), 5291. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135291

Tsai, W. (2001). Knowledge transfer in intraorganizational networks: effects of network position and absorptive capacity on business unit innovation and performance. Academy of Management Journa, 44(5), 996–1004. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2307/3069443

Vega‐Jurado, J., Gutiérrez‐Gracia, A., & Fernández-de-Lucio, I. (2008). Analyzing the determinants of firm’s absorptive capacity: beyond r&d. R and D Management, 38(4), 392–405. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9310.2008.00525.x

Venâncio, A., & Pinto, I. (2020). Type of entrepreneurial activity and sustainable development goals. Sustainability, 12(22), 9368. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229368

Wang, Z., & Paavola, J. (2023). Emissions Trading in: New Political Economy Dynamics. Environmental Policy and Governance, 33(5), 504–516. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.2046

Wijaya, H., Pratama, F., & Lestari, N. (2023). Linking entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability: Evidence from Indonesian SMEs. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 15(7), 1553–1572. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-02-2023-0056

Xi, J., Ahmad, F., & Fang, G. (2024). Research trends in digital twins based on Scopus database: a scientifical literature review. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.170992672.26050261/v1

Yadav, V., Unni, J., Naik, R., & Dutta, S. (2022). Gender differentials in entrepreneurship: insights from a multi-method study. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 31(1), 30–64. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557211069283

Zhao, H., Chen, X., & Wang, Z. (2024). Circular economy transitions and policy pathways in China: A sustainable development perspective. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 205, 107229. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107229

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24198/sosiohumaniora.v27i2.67798