A Bibliometric Study on the Rise of Disability Entrepreneurship Research

Abstract

This paper aims to systematically examine the intellectual structure, publication trends, and thematic evolution within the field of disability entrepreneurship. Despite growing scholarly interest, research in this area remains fragmented across disciplines and lacks a consolidated overview. By conducting comprehensive bibliometric analysis, this study aims to map the development of this emerging field, identify its key contributors, sources, and thematic directions, and support future academic, policy, and practice developments. The study employs a hybrid approach that combines systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. A total of 276 peer-reviewed documents were published between 1959 and 2025. Note that data cleaning and harmonization were conducted using OpenRefine, biblioMagika, and Biblioshiny to ensure consistency and accuracy. The analysis involved performance metrics and science mapping, including citation analysis, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence. The bibliometric analysis uncovered several important trends in the development of disability entrepreneurship. The results show a significant increase in scholarly output and influence since 2015, indicating a maturation of the research domain. Most studies related to the research domain were conducted in the United States. The analysis reveals dominant themes related to social inclusion, rehabilitation, and inclusive entrepreneurship. It identifies underexplored areas, such as technological enablers and policy support mechanisms for entrepreneurs with disabilities. The study is limited by its reliance on a single database and title-only search, which may exclude relevant but less explicitly titled research. Future studies could integrate other databases and broader search strategies. Nevertheless, this study provides a valuable roadmap for researchers and policymakers aiming to support disability entrepreneurship through targeted interventions and evidence-based strategies. This paper is the first to provide comprehensive bibliometric mapping of research on disability entrepreneurship. Its originality lies in revealing the field's evolution, key intellectual contributors, and knowledge gaps using a rigorous and transparent methodological framework. The findings offer foundational insights to guide scholarly inquiry and policy design inclusive entrepreneurship.