Entrepreneurship in the 21st century: An integrative review of contemporary challenges and emerging perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17613957Keywords:
social capital, entrepreneurship, innovation, artificial intelligence, integrative review, sustainabilityAbstract
Entrepreneurship has become a key driver of economic and social development. However, current challenges such as the climate crisis, technological disruption, and structural inequalities demand a thorough review of its theoretical foundations and its role in global sustainability. This study presents a systematic, integrative review of recent literature (2016–2025) to identify the determinants, challenges, and emerging trends of contemporary entrepreneurship. Forty-six peer-reviewed articles were analyzed, obtained from the Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SciELO databases. The findings are grouped into five main dimensions: human capital and entrepreneurial skills; networks and social capital; ecosystems and institutions; digital transformation and artificial intelligence; and sustainability and social impact. In conclusion, 21st-century entrepreneurship requires an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and ethical approach, capable of integrating technological innovation, social resilience, and environmental sustainability to address current and future challenges.
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