Disability Entrepreneurship Research: A Bibliometric Review through Citespace

Purpose - This study provides a comprehensive scientometric analysis of disability entrepreneurship research to map the intellectual structure, identify key contributors, and reveal emerging trends in disability entrepreneurship scholarship.
Design/methodology/approach - Using Web of Science data spanning 2000-2025, we analyzed 940 publications by 298 authors. CiteSpace software was employed to generate co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrence patterns, and cluster analysis. Price's law was applied to identify prolific authors, while network density and modularity metrics assessed collaboration patterns.
Findings - The analysis reveals an emerging field characterized by fragmentation and limited consolidation. Only 12 authors published more than 10 articles, representing just 13.6% of total output, significantly below Price's law predictions. This indicates the absence of a stable core group of prolific researchers driving the field forward. The scholarly network remains weakly integrated, with a density of only 2.12%, suggesting minimal collaboration among researchers. Five distinct intellectual clusters have emerged within the field: Critical Perspectives on Disability and Work Participation, Policy and Institutional Support, Capability Enhancement, Organizational Responses, and Identity Construction. These clusters reflect diverse thematic orientations but also underscore the field's lack of cohesion. The research has evolved temporally, shifting from early policy-oriented foundations toward more critical, experience-centered perspectives that privilege the lived experiences of disabled workers. Geographically, the field shows significant concentration, with the United States, Spain, and England collectively producing over 36.5% of all publications. This concentration raises concerns about the breadth of perspectives represented and the generalizability of findings across different institutional and cultural contexts.
Originality/value - This study employs CiteSpace methodology to analyze 940 publications, significantly expanding upon previous bibliometric reviews through comprehensive co-citation analysis, temporal visualization, and citation burst detection. This multi-dimensional approach reveals the field's intellectual architecture, identifies influential research communities, and traces thematic evolution, providing actionable insights for researchers and policymakers advancing disability entrepreneurship

Disability entrepreneurship, disability, entrepreneurship, bibliometric analysis, co-citation analysis

1. Argoubi, M., Jammeli, H., & Masri, H. (2020). The intellectual structure of the waste management field. Annals of Operations Research, 294(1‑2), 655‑676. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-020-03570-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ashley, D., & Graf, N. (2017). The Process and Experiences of Self-Employment Among People with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 61, 003435521668771. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355216687712 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bagheri, A., & Abbariki, M. (2017). Competencies of disabled entrepreneurs in Iran: Implications for learning and development. Disability & Society, 32(1), 69‑92. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2016.1268524 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Bakker, R. M., & McMullen, J. S. (2023). Inclusive entrepreneurship: A call for a shared theoretical conversation about unconventional entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Venturing, 38(1), 106268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2022.106268 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Barnes, C. (1991). Disabled People in Britain and Discrimination: A Case for Anti-discrimination Legislation. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Bhardwaj, M., Devi, N., & Talwandi, N. S. (2024). Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on the Nexus between Digital Innovation and Sustainability in HEI Marketing (SSRN Scholarly Paper No. 4995965). Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4995965 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Billion, J., Sahut, J.-M., Doussard, C., & Dang, R. (2024). Qu’apporte l’étude des entrepreneurs en situation de handicap à la littérature entrepreneuriale ? Une revue systématique de la littérature. Management international, 28(1), 80‑91. https://doi.org/10.59876/a-c1st-75g0 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Billion, J., Tessier-Dargent, C., & Renouf, J. (2025). Exploring the determinants of business sector choice among entrepreneurs with disabilities. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 14657503251365169. https://doi.org/10.1177/14657503251365169 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Caldwell, K., Parker Harris, S., & Renko, M. (2016). Social Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Exploring Motivational and Attitudinal Factors. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 5(1), 211. https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v5i1.255 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Chen, C. (2006). CiteSpace II: Detecting and visualizing emerging trends and transient patterns in scientific literature. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 57(3), 359‑377. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.20317 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Chen, C. (2013). Mapping Scientific Frontiers: The Quest for Knowledge Visualization. Springer London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5128-9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Chen, D., Dai, L., & Li, D. (2019). A Delicate Balance for Innovatio : Competition and Collaboration in R&D Consortia. In management and organization review (vol. 15, numéro 1, p. 145‑176). Cambridge univ press. https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2018.49 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Dakung, R. J., Bell, R., Orobia, L. A., Dakung, K. R., & Yatu, L. N. (2023). Passion and intention among aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities: The role of entrepreneurial support programs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 30(7), 1241‑1263. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-01-2023-0019 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Dhar, S., & Farzana, T. (2017). Entrepreneurs with Disabilities in Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study on Their Entrepreneurial Motivation and Challenges. 9(36). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. García, P. O., & Capitán, Á. J. O. (2021). Entrepreneurship for People With Disabilities: From Skills to Social Value. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 699833. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699833 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Gyori, Z., Csillag, S., Svastics, C., Hidegh, A., & Kóródi, E. (2022). Examining the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the entrepreneurial life cycle in enterprises of people with disabilities. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Jammaers, E., & Williams, J. (2023). Turning disability into a business: Disabled entrepreneurs’ anomalous bodily capital. Organization, 30(5), 981‑1003. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505084211032312 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Jammaers, E., & Zanoni, P. (2020). Unexpected entrepreneurs: The identity work of entrepreneurs with disabilities. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08985626.2020.1842913 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Kašperová, E. (2021). Impairment (in)visibility and stigma: How disabled entrepreneurs gain legitimacy in mainstream and disability markets. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 33, 1‑26. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2021.1974101 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Kašperová, E., Kitching, J., & Blackburn, R. (2018). Identity as a causal power: Contextualizing entrepreneurs’ concerns. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 19(4), 237‑249. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465750318763213 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Katz, J. S., & Martin, B. R. (1997). What is research collaboration? Research Policy, 26(1), 1‑18. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(96)00917-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Kitching, J. (2014). Entrepreneurship and self-employment by people with disabilities. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Klangboonkrong, T., & Baines, N. (2022). Disability entrepreneurship research: Critical reflection through the lens of individual‐opportunity nexus. Strategic Change, 31(4), 427‑445. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsc.2513 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Lim, K., Chesbrough, H., & Ruan, Y. (2010). Open innovation and patterns of R&D competition. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (Vol. 52, Numéros 3‑4, p. 295‑321). INDERSCIENCE ENTERPRISES LTD. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTM.2010.035978 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Lin, M., Zhang, X., Ng, B. C. S., & Zhong, L. (2022). The dual influences of team cooperative and competitive orientations on the relationship between empowering leadership and team innovative behaviors. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT (Vol. 102). ELSEVIER SCI LTD. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103160 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Liu, H., Yu, J., Wu, B., Ren, Y., & Liu, Q. (2025). Bibliometric analysis and content analysis of digital entrepreneurship: Utilizing the WoS and Scopus databases. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1‑26. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Maritz, A., & Laferriere, R. (2016). Entrepreneurship and self-employment for people with disabilities. Australian Journal of Career Development, 25(2), 45‑54. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416216658044 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Meng, H., & Kim, J. (2025). Disability and entrepreneurial behavior: Psychological barriers, knowledge and enablers. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(5), 100794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100794 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Miller, D., & Le Breton-Miller, I. (2017). Underdog Entrepreneurs: A Model of Challenge–Based Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 41(1), 7‑17. https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12253 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mota, I., Marques, C., & Sacramento, O. (2020). Handicaps and new opportunity businesses: What do we (not) know about disabled entrepreneurs? Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 14(3), 321‑347. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-12-2019-0120 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Muñoz, R. M., Salinero, Y., Fernández, M. V., Muñoz, R. M., Salinero, Y., & Fernández, M. V. (2020). Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, and Disability: A New Challenge for Universities. Sustainability, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062494 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Napoleon Arrey Mbayong. (2024). Entrepreneurship among people with Disabilities: A Literature Review. Journal of Management and Science, 14(4), 1‑6. https://doi.org/10.26524/jms.14.33 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Norstedt, M., & Germundsson, P. (2023). Motives for entrepreneurship and establishing one’s own business among people with disabilities: Findings from a scoping review. Disability & Society, 38(2), 247‑266. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1919504 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Oliver, M. (1990). The Politics of Disablement-New Social Movements. In M. Oliver (Éd.), The Politics of Disablement (p. 112‑131). Macmillan Education UK. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20895-1_8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Ozgen, E., & Baron, R. (2007). Social sources of information in opportunity recognition: Effects of mentors, industry networks, and professional forums. Journal of Business Venturing, 22, 174‑192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2005.12.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Renko, M., Parker Harris, S., & Caldwell, K. (2016). Entrepreneurial entry by people with disabilities. International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, 34(5), 555‑578. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242615579112 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Rossetto, D. E., Bernardes, R. C., Borini, F. M., & Gattaz, C. C. (2018). Structure and evolution of innovation research in the last 60 years: Review and future trends in the field of business through the citations and co-citations analysis. Scientometrics, 115(3), 1329‑1363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-018-2709-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Saxena, S. S., & Pandya, R. S. K. (2018). Gauging underdog entrepreneurship for disabled entrepreneurs. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 12(1), 3‑18. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-06-2017-0033 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Tiasakul, S., Abdulzaher, R., & Bazan, C. (2024). Accessibility of Entrepreneurship Training Programs for Individuals with Disabilities: A Literature Review. Administrative Sciences, 14(8), 187. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14080187 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. White, H. D., & McCain, K. W. (1989). Bibliometrics. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology, 24, 119-186. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric Methods in Management and Organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429‑472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428114562629 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]